How many porta potties does a farm crew need in California?
A California farm crew needs 1 toilet and 1 handwashing facility for every 20 workers, placed within a quarter-mile walk or 5 minutes of where they are working, under Cal/OSHA Title 8, Section 3457. A peach-thinning crew of 45 needs 3 toilets and 3 handwashing facilities.
| Crew size | Toilets | Handwashing facilities |
|---|---|---|
| 1–20 | 1 | 1 |
| 21–40 | 2 | 2 |
| 41–60 | 3 | 3 |
| 61–80 | 4 | 4 |
| 81–100 | 5 | 5 |
Rule text: Cal/OSHA 8 CCR 3457, Field Sanitation; federal equivalent 29 CFR 1928.110. California's heat illness rule also requires drinking water and shade for field crews. This is general information, not legal advice.
How do you keep up with a crew that moves across an orchard?
Crews that move across an orchard are best served by towable units on small trailers, which your foreman can hitch to a pickup and pull to the next block. Fixed units work for crews that stay within a quarter mile for the whole job. The service driver meets the unit wherever it is parked on service day.
- Towable unit: toilet plus hand washing on one trailer, moved by a pickup with a ball hitch.
- Fixed units: placed at a farm road or block end; moved by our driver on service day.
- Text the service driver the block or a pin when units move.
When is farm sanitation demand highest in Sutter County?
Farm sanitation demand in Sutter County peaks from June through October, during peach thinning and harvest, prune shaking, walnut harvest and rice harvest. Book harvest units 2 to 3 weeks before your crew starts; same-day delivery still covers surprises when you call by 11 AM.
In July and August, highs here often pass 100°F. Units in full sun need weekly service at least; crews over 15 per unit should add a second visit. Placing a unit under a tree line at the block end keeps it cooler and cuts odor.
