Iowa Admin. Code r. 875-29.2

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

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

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

(2)Drinking water

a. An adequate supply of cool, clean, sanitary water, satisfactory for drinking purposes, shall be made available to all employees. Drinking water shall be obtained only from sources approved by the state department of health or an approved water line.

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

c. All containers used to furnish drinking water shall be thoroughly cleansed and sterilized as often as necessary to ensure a clean and sanitary water supply.

d. The common drinking cup for public use is prohibited; either single-service containers or drinking fountains with sanitary angle head shall be used in lieu thereof

(3)Required locations.

a. Running facilities. Drinking water which meets the specifications of 29.2(1) and 29.2(2) shall be provided on the following equipment when in use and when offered for use at terminals having servicing or replenishing facilities:

(1) All locomotives.

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

(3) Cabooses.

(4) Camp cars.

b. Stationary facilities. Drinking water, according to the general specifications shall be made available at the following locations:

(1) All terminals.

(2) All yard offices.

(3) All stations.

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

(5) All shops and engine houses.

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

(7) All lunchrooms located on railroad property.

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

(9) All maintenance-of-way camps.

(10) All office work areas.

(4)Washing facilities.

a. General specifications -wash basins -lavatories.

(1) Wash basins or lavatories shall 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 shall be considered the equivalent of one wash basin. The trough or circular wash basins shall 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 shall 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) There shall be provided one lavatory for every 10 employees (men or women) or portion thereof, up to 100 persons; and over 100 persons, one lavatory for each additional 15 persons or portion thereof

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

c. Wash basins -supplies.

(1) Hot and cold running water, preferably a combination, shall be supplied to wash basins.

(2) Mechanical drying facilities or individual towels, either paper or cloth, shall be provided. (The use of common towels is prohibited.)

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

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

(5) All supplies shall be adequate to meet the needs for which they are intended, and shall be so maintained by the employer

(6) Employees shall exercise care to see that unnecessary waste of supplies does not occur

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

a. Showers.

(1) Showers shall be required when in the judgment of the division of labor services 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 shall be provided in conjunction with adequate and necessary locker or dressing room facilities.

(2) Showers shall be provided with a spray fixture connected to an ample supply and pressure of hot and cold water, preferably mixed by a mixing valve.

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

(4) Each shower compartment shall 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 shall be provided separated from toilet rooms by solid partitions and doors. Such locker rooms shall have not less than 80 square feet of floor space per ten employees, or fraction, and for each additional employee not less than 4 additional square feet shall be added thereto. Necessary furniture such as benches and tables shall be provided.

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

c.Lockers. In all places of employment where the nature of the employment requires a change of clothing, individual metal lockers shall be provided. The dimensions of metal lockers shall be not less than 12 inches wide, 18 inches deep and 72 inches high, exclusive of legs or other base. The lockers shall be equipped with a shelf and with not less than one clothes hook for each side or equivalent hanger bar, and also 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 shall be separate and apart from those used by the men and boys.

(2) These shall have separate entrances and exits and shall be so marked.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 875-29.2