<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 09.12.36.03" title_num="09" subtitle_num="12" chapter_num="36" heading="Requirements.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Agricultural employers shall provide potable drinking water and toilet and handwashing facilities in accordance with this standard for employees engaged in hand-labor operations in the field, without cost to the employee.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Potable Drinking Water.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The agricultural employer shall provide potable drinking water in locations readily accessible to all employees.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The agricultural employer, taking into account the air temperature, humidity, and the nature of the work performed, shall ensure that the water is suitably cool and in sufficient amounts to meet the needs of employees.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Dispensing.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Common drinking cups or dippers may not be used.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The water shall be dispensed in single use drinking cups or by fountains.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Toilet and Handwashing Facilities.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The requirements in this section apply to agricultural establishments where 11 or more employees perform hand-labor operations in the field on any given day.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Toilet and handwashing facilities are not required for employees who perform field work for a period of 3 hours or less during the day, including transportation time to and from the field.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Ratio.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>One toilet facility and one handwashing facility shall be provided for each 20 employees or fraction of that amount.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The ratio of toilet facilities to employees may be increased to one facility for every 30 employees when the frequency of servicing is increased to ensure that the facility is maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Toilet facilities shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Be constructed to ensure privacy;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Have self-closing doors which can be closed and latched from the inside;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Be supplied with toilet paper adequate to meet employee needs;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Be adequately ventilated; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Appropriately screened.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Location.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Toilet and handwashing facilities shall be:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Accessibly located; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Within 1/4 mile of each employee's place of work in the field.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>When it is not feasible to locate facilities accessibly and within the required distance due to the terrain, the facilities shall be located at the point of closest vehicular access.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Maintenance. Potable drinking water and toilet and handwashing facilities shall be maintained in accordance with appropriate public health sanitation practices, including the following:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Drinking water containers shall be:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Constructed of materials that maintain water quality,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Kept covered, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Refilled daily or more often as necessary;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Toilet facilities shall be operational and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Handwashing facilities shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Disposal of wastes from facilities may not cause unsanitary conditions.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Reasonable Use. Employees shall be allowed reasonable opportunities during the workday to use the facilities.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Informational Program. To minimize exposure to hazards of heat, communicable diseases, retention of urine, and agrichemical residues, the employer shall inform each employee of the importance of each of the following good hygiene practices:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Use the water provided for drinking and handwashing;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Use the toilet for elimination;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Drink water frequently and especially on hot days;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Urinate as frequently as necessary; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Wash hands:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Both before and after using the toilet,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Before eating and smoking.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>