Do I Need a Handwashing Station? When and Where to Rent One
A lot of people rent porta potties and don't think about handwashing until someone asks, "Where do I wash my hands?" Sometimes it's a guest. Sometimes it's a health inspector.
Here's when you need a handwashing station, why the sanitizer in a porta potty isn't a substitute, and how to plan the number and placement.
What a handwashing station is
A portable handwashing station is a freestanding sink. It has a tank of fresh water, a tank that catches the used water, soap, paper towels and usually a foot pump so nobody touches a tap. Many have two basins so two people can wash at once. There's nothing to hook up.
When you need one
- Any event where food is served, handled or prepared on site. Health rules for temporary food events usually require handwashing near food service.
- Food trucks, markets and food festivals. Vendors often need their own, and the public needs some too.
- Job sites where workers handle paint, coatings, chemicals or other substances. OSHA requires washing facilities in those situations.
- Any site where the restrooms have no sink, and people will be eating.
- Events with children, where hands get dirty fast.
Why hand sanitizer isn't enough
Most porta potties have a hand sanitizer dispenser, and it's useful. But sanitizer doesn't remove dirt or grease, and it isn't what food-handling rules ask for. Where food is involved, the expectation is soap and running water.
Rules vary by county, so check with your local health department when you apply for a food or event permit.
How many to rent
There's no single national formula, and your health department or permit may specify a number. As a practical guide:
- At least one near each group of porta potties that don't have sinks.
- At least one near the food area, separate from the restrooms.
- More for large crowds, since each station only has so much water. Tell us your expected headcount so we can plan for it.
Where to put them
Put them where people will actually use them: right beside the restroom exit, and close to where people line up for food. A station hidden around a corner mostly goes unused.
Like porta potties, they need firm, level ground and a spot the truck can reach for delivery, refills and pickup.
Food trucks and vendors
If you're organizing an event with food trucks or vendors, check who is responsible for handwashing. Many vendors bring their own setup for staff, but the public still needs somewhere to wash near the restrooms and where people eat. Ask your county health department what they expect for your event.
Quick answers
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