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WASHINGTON - The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration today published a Guide
to Restroom Access for Transgender Workers. The publication provides
guidance to employers on best practices regarding restroom access for
transgender workers. The guide was developed at the request of the National
Center for Transgender Equality, an OSHA Alliance partner that works collaboratively
with the agency to develop products and materials to protect the safety and
health of transgender workers.
OSHA’s Sanitation standard requires that all employers under
its jurisdiction provide employees with sanitary and available toilet
facilities, so that employees will not suffer the adverse health effects that
can result if toilets are not available when employees need them.
“The core principle is that all employees, including
transgender employees, should have access to restrooms that correspond to their
gender identity,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and
Health Dr. David Michaels. “OSHA’s goal is to assure that employers provide a
safe and healthful working environment for all employees."
Many companies
have implemented written policies to ensure that all employees—including
transgender employees—have prompt access to appropriate sanitary
facilities. The core belief underlying
these policies is that all employees should be permitted to use the facilities
that correspond with their gender identify. For example, a person who
identifies as a man should be permitted to use men’s restrooms, and a person
who identifies as a woman should be permitted to use women’s restrooms.
The publication includes a description of best practices and
also makes employers aware of federal, state and local laws that reaffirm the
principle of providing employees with access to restroom facilities based on
gender identification.
Under the
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for
providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role
is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by
setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and
assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
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