An OSHA standard that would require hand-washing facilities on all construction sites is still a priority. But it depends on your definition of "priority."

OSHA Administrator Charles Jeffress said Dec. 9 that "because of other priorities," the agency cannot give a date for when a beefed-up sanitation rule would be put in place.

That statement is a step backward in the process of initiating a toilet/hand-washing standard. In October 1998, the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health recommended that OSHA require a place to wash for construction workers on nearly all job sites, along with separate men's and ladies' toilet facilities and changing rooms.

"All of the other standards do not matter if the agency can't get this one resolved fast," said advisory committee member Stephen Cooper, who was quoted in the Construction Labor Report. He is also executive director, safety and health, for the Iron Workers International Union.

OSHA's agenda has the sanitation rule on its long-term agenda, which means a rule could come in December 2000. However, a rule would not take effect until about 12 months after that. In the past, Cooper has offered us some colorful quotes about OSHA's foot-dragging on the sanitation rule. "American labor law treats construction workers like farm animals," he said. "On jobs where there are only a few workers, there are no requirements for portable toilets, so the workers are expected to relieve themselves in the field. That's inhuman. That's bull----."