This article identifies key points to consider when purchasing a portable toilet for an underground mine.
Sanitation and hygiene are critical to maintaining a healthy workplace. However, underground environments present additional challenges that need to be factored into the final purchase decision.
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How to Choose the Right PortableToilet
On-Site Requirements
Size of the Site: The bigger the site, the more toilets. This is a more general view but can help lay the groundwork.
Location of Personnel: The size of the project can give an overall view of numbers, but not all locations may be active. Because an underground industrial strength toilet is portable, it can be moved with the progression of drilling and opening of new sections. The site toilet in an inactive area, where there is no staff, can be relocated for re-use.
Physical Structure: The natural layout of the mine can restrict available options, especially height requirements. Some industrial flush toilets can be customised and are modular with their design, whereas others are fixed. Ease of access must also be considered. A portable site toilet is transported into location and removed for waste disposal, as such the rock formations surrounding the entry and exit can impact the design.
Access to Utilities: Will the toilet be able to link up to existing utilities or does it need to be self-contained? Depending on the mine, access to power, water and air may not be readily available. As an example, coal mines can only use pneumatic, self-contained toilets.
Where the toilets will be located will also determine what utilities are accessible, for example, toilets in a crib room may have access to water, but those at the workface may not.
Life of the Site: A portable site toilet can either be purchased or hired. A site with a shorter life cycle may opt to hire toilets rather than purchase as it is most cost-effective.
Maintenance of an Industrial Strength Toilet
Knowing the number of people per shift, and people underground per shift, will help determine the frequency of use, and therefore the frequency of cleaning.
Frequency of Use: How often a toilet is going to be used will impact the suitability of the available options. More frequently used toilets will require emptying more often which will add additional costs to the purchase whether emptying is provided in-house or through an external contractor.
Cleaning & Emptying: Defining who is responsible for the toilets once in place. Cleaning consists of removal of waste (pump-out), thorough cleaning of the unit inside, as well as replenishment of all freshwater, paper and chemicals.
Sites can opt to use outside contractors to manage the ongoing clean-up and emptying of each portable toilet; this option may come with the purchase. Alternatively, this can be led by the site itself.
Service & Maintenance: An industrial-strength toilet requires upkeep and ongoing servicing to ensure they are in optimal working condition. Performing regular checks on the internal mechanisms will add to the life of the toilet, but there are costs and labour requirements to do this. As with cleaning and emptying, this can be completed by an external contractor or internally managed.
Design of the Portable Toilet
Gender Requirements: Accommodating the needs of both sexes underground is essential. A site must consider how they can satisfy these requirements through the supply of single-sex, unisex or dual capacity toilets as well as additional sanitary options.
Gender may also have an impact on the frequency of use during each shift.
Cultural Requirements: With more diverse workforces and international operations, it is important to consider cultural factors when sourcing the right facilities. Eastern and Western counterparts can have slight variations in toilet design. Depending on the location of the mine; cultural needs may need to be addressed.
Additional Considerations
Budget: Cost is the main area of focus; available expenditure can broaden or reduce the available options. Factors such as budget allocation (i.e. if the purchase is an operating expense or a capital expense) impact the funds available and processes that need to be met.
Reviewing costs beyond the initial out-of-pocket expenses is essential. Labour, emptying, consumables, maintenance and servicing are all additional costs that can add up over the toilets lifetime.
Environmental Factors: Not all toilets comply with environmental standards. Depending on company policies, a site may consider sourcing a portable underground toilet which is sustainable and uses biodegradable products.
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