How Many Portable Toilets Does a Construction Site Need? A Practical Guide for Compliance and Comfort

Portable toilets are probably not the first thing you think of when organising a construction site. However, it’s one area you can’t afford to overlook. Clean, accessible site toilets are more than a convenience. They are a legal requirement under WHS regulations.

Without a portable toilet hire plan, you risk your crew’s health and increase the likelihood of hefty fines and worksite shutdowns. To avoid these issues altogether, the team at Kennards Hire are here to help. Whether you’re overseeing a single job or a multi-phase project, we’ve got portable toilet solutions tailored to your worksite.

Portable Toilet Legal Requirements and Industry Standards

SafeWork NSW and other regulatory bodies provide clear guidelines for portable workplace toilets on construction sites. These websites outline the legal requirements and the importance for workers to have access to safe and hygienic sanitation facilities.

Kennards Hire recommends consulting with your workers and their Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs). This will help you understand their needs while allowing you to organise the most effective site toilet provisions.

It’s also vital that the portable toilets are in good working order, clean, safe, and accessible to the entire crew. Your site solution plan should also include accessible options for staff with disabilities and a schedule for regular cleaning and maintenance.

How Many Portable Toilets Do You Need?

Once you have a portable bathroom hire plan in place, the next step is finalising how many port-a-toilets you need. Here’s what Kennards Hire recommends based on workforce sizes:

• 1 to 5 workers: 1 portable toilet
• 6 to 10 workers: 2 portable toilets
• 11 to 15 workers: 3 portable toilets
• 16 to 20 workers: 4 portable toilets

You should adjust these numbers based on work conditions. For example, consider the length of time workers are on site each day. Longer shifts and project timelines mean frequent servicing or extra portable toilet units.

Other factors to think about when finalising portable bathroom numbers are site accessibility and availability of sewer connections. If your site is in an undeveloped area with limited infrastructure, you’ll need to supply additional facilities to meet hygiene and comfort standards.

The nature of the work being performed should also be a consideration, especially if you have team members working in set shifts or taking rostered breaks.

Factors Influencing Toilet Requirements

There’s more to planning portable toilet numbers than just the headcount. You also need to consider who’s using the facilities and when.

If you have men and women on-site, separate portable toilets create a more comfortable and respectful environment. You also need to cater for anyone with a disability. This means hiring larger portable bathroom solutions, complete with ramps, handrails, and extra space inside.

High-volume workdays or special events also mean increased toilet usage. You might have extra tradies on-site or an additional crew pouring concrete, who also need to utilise your facilities. Planning ahead for these busy periods helps avoid queues and keeps hygiene standards compliant.

On the topic of cleanliness, regular cleaning and maintenance schedules are another factor that influences toilet requirements. It’s also a WHS requirement. Thankfully, when you hire portable toilets from Kennards Hire, you can add servicing to your plan and leave it up to us to manage.

Kennards Hire’s Portable Toilet Solutions

No matter the size or stage of your construction project , Kennards Hire has a range of site toilet solutions to match. From freshwater skid toilets to portable urinals, Kennards Hire has everything you need to keep your crew comfortable and your site compliant. Here’s a quick look at what’s available:

• Freshwater skid toilet: A self contained toilet with a wash basin. Great for short and long-term renovations as well as construction projects.
• Sewer connect toilet: A fully plumbed unit with a porcelain toilet and pan, wash basin, and optional soap dispenser. It’s an excellent solution if you have access to a sewer, but no nearby toilets.
• Ensuite toilet/shower: A premium trailer-mounted setup that includes a shower and vanity. It also features a gas heater, stone top vanity, full-length mirror, and heated towel rail. Perfect for bathroom renovations and long-term projects.
• Portable urinal: A compact solution for an all-male crew. They’re also handy for larger sites where multiple units are needed to avoid queues.

Kennards Hire also has a selection of ambulant (amp) toilets, accessible portable bathrooms, and ablution blocks at selected branches. All our portable bathroom units are regularly serviced, cleaned, and inspected to meet Australian safety and hygiene standards. Kennards Hire even offers on-site scheduled maintenance to keep toilets fresh throughout the project.

If you’re not sure where to start, our team can come on site and walk you through our portable toilet hire process and site solutions. We’ll assess your layout and project timeline to calculate the right number for your worker count. Kennards Hire even takes care of delivery, installation, and servicing so you can focus on managing the worksite.

Finalising Your Portable Toilet Plan

Getting a site toilet plan in order is about more than ticking a box. It protects your crew, keeps the site hygienic, and ensures the project runs smoothly.

With the right planning and support, meeting your WHS obligations and keeping your team comfortable becomes effortless. Kennards Hire offers an extensive range of portable toilet solutions and can deliver them to your site, set them up in the best spots, and schedule servicing without disrupting your project.

Want to discuss the best portable toilets for your site? Get in touch with the specialist team at Kennards Hire for practical advice and reliable solutions.