Iowa Admin. Code r. 875-29.2

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, December 11, 2024

Rule 875-29.2 - [Effective 1/15/2025] Water supply-requirements

(1)General specifications. Water supplied for domestic and drinking purposes under these regulations will meet the standards of the department of health and human services. Cross-connections between a potable and nonpotable water supply are prohibited.

(2)Drinking water.

a. An adequate supply of cool, clean, sanitary water that is satisfactory for drinking purposes will be made available to all employees.

b. When necessary, this water will be provided in suitable, clean, sterilized and sanitary containers conveniently placed for the use of employees, but not in toilet rooms. Each container will be equipped with an approved type of fountain, approved faucet or other approved dispenser.

c. Either single-service containers or drinking fountains with a sanitary angle head will be used.

(3)Required locations.

a. Drinking water that meets the specifications of subrules 29.2(1) and 29.2(2) will be provided on the following equipment when in use and at the following locations:

(1) All locomotives.

(2) Baggage and express cars (where employees are assigned for work en route).

(3) Cabooses.

(4) Camp cars.

(5) All terminals.

(6) All yard offices.

(7) All stations.

(8) All freight, baggage, and express offices (located on railroad property).

(9) All shops and engine houses.

(10) All bunk or section houses and section headquarters.

(11) All lunchrooms located on railroad property.

(12) All permanent watchmen shelters at public highway crossings.

(13) All maintenance-of-way camps.

(14) All office work areas.

b. Reserved.

(4)Washing facilities.

a.General specifications-wash basins-lavatories.

(1) Wash basins or lavatories will be made of vitrified glazed earthenware, vitreous enameled metal, or other smooth-finished material, impervious to moisture.

(2) Twenty-four inches of trough or circular wash basin will be considered the equivalent of one wash basin. The trough or circular wash basins will not be equipped with a plug or stopper.

(3) Spring-closing, hand-operated faucets are prohibited in trough wash sinks or circular basins.

b.Wash basins-availability.

(1) An adequate number of wash basins or lavatories for maintaining personal cleanliness will be provided within reasonable access for all employees normally assigned to work at the following locations: all terminals; all yard offices; all stations; all freight, baggage and express offices (located on railroad property); all shops and engine houses; all lunchrooms located on railroad property; and at all bunk or section houses.

(2) One lavatory for every 10 employees or portion thereof, up to 100 persons; and over 100 persons, one lavatory for each additional 15 persons or portion thereof will be provided.

(3) At least one wash basin will be located in or adjacent to each toilet room.

c.Wash basins-supplies.

(1) Hot and cold running water will be supplied.

(2) Mechanical drying facilities or individual towels, either paper or cloth, will be provided.

(3) Waste receptacles will be provided for used paper towels.

(4) Soap or other suitable cleansing agent will be supplied at each wash basin.

(5)Showers, locker rooms, dressing rooms and lockers.

a.Showers.

(1) Showers will be required when such facilities are necessary at specified locations to protect employees whose work involves exposure to poisonous, infectious or irritating material or to excessive dirt, heat fumes or vapors or other materials or substances injurious to health. Such shower facilities will be provided in conjunction with adequate and necessary locker or dressing room facilities.

(2) Showers will be connected to an ample supply and pressure of hot and cold water, preferably mixed.

(3) Each shower room or compartment will be constructed of material impervious to moisture.

(4) Each shower compartment will be not less than 36 inches in width and 36 inches in depth.

b.Lockers or dressing rooms.

(1) In all places of employment where, because of the nature of the work, it is necessary to change clothing, a locker room will be provided separated from toilet rooms by solid partitions and doors. Such locker rooms will have not less than 80 square feet of floor space per ten employees, or portion thereof, and for each additional employee, not less than 4 additional square feet will be added thereto. Necessary furniture, such as benches and tables, will be provided.

(2) Such locker or dressing rooms will be properly lighted, heated to a minimum of 65°F and adequately ventilated. Where practicable, cross-ventilation will be provided.

c.Lockers. In all places of employment where the nature of the employment requires a change of clothing, individual metal lockers will be provided. The dimensions of metal lockers will be not less than 12 inches wide, 18 inches deep and 72 inches high, exclusive of legs or other base. The lockers will be equipped with a shelf and with not less than one clothes hook for each side or equivalent hanger bar, and sufficient openings in the door for purposes of ventilation. Wooden lockers are prohibited.

d.Separate facilities for women.

(1) In instances where women or girls are employed in such activities, the showers, lockers and dressing rooms used by them will be separate and apart from those used by the men and boys.

(2) Such facilities will have separate entrances and exits and will be so marked.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 875-29.2

Adopted by IAB December 11, 2024/Volume XLVII, Number 11, effective 1/15/2025