Ontario to update construction washroom requirements

The Ontario government has proposed several new washroom initiatives that focus on facilities on construction sites, saying the moves aim to make site washrooms private, clean and safe.

Citing that only one in 10 of the nearly 600,000 construction workers in Ontario are women, the government says proposed changes like a requirement to have at least one women’s-only washroom on jobsites and properly fitting equipment such as uniforms, boots and safety harnesses, will make the skilled trades more accessible to women.

“We applaud measures that make all job sites more accessible and safer for all, including women,” said Andrew Regnerus, Ontario construction coordinator at CLAC. “Given the trades shortage, all barriers to entry and retention must be eliminated and this is an important step in the right direction.”

If passed, the legislation would require washrooms on construction sites to be private and completely enclosed, and have adequate lighting and hand sanitizer (where running water is not reasonably possible). Additionally, the government is doubling the number of toilets on most jobsites.

These changes are part of a larger package that expands on the actions introduced in the Working for Workers Acts, 2021 and 2022. If approved and filed, the proposed regulatory amendments would come into force on July 1, 2023.