Maritime Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/2010-120)

48. Sanitary facilities for vessels engaged in voyages of more than four hours must be equipped with

• (a) a minimum of one toilet, one wash basin and one tub or shower, provided at a convenient location for every group of not more than six persons who do not have a personal toilet, wash basin and tub or shower;

• (b) fresh water running from taps that are clearly marked to indicate whether the water supply is hot or cold;

• (c) wash basins made of vitreous china, vitreous enamelled iron or other material having a smooth and impervious surface that is not likely to crack, flake or corrode; and

• (d) toilets that have

  • (i) a bowl of vitreous china or other suitable material,

  • (ii) a hinged seat,

  • (iii) a trap constructed in a manner that facilitates cleaning,

  • (iv) an adequate flush of water, and

  • (v) a soil pipe of adequate size that is constructed in a manner that facilitates cleaning and minimizes the risk of obstruction.

49. Sanitary facilities must be located

• (a) not more than one deck above or below each work place;

• (b) close to the sleeping quarters of the employee for whom the sanitary facility is provided; and

• (c) as far as practicable, within easy access of the navigating bridge and the machinery space or the engine room control centre.

50. A sanitary facility must meet the following requirements:

• (a) it must be completely enclosed by bulkheads that are non-transparent from the outside;

• (b) it must not be directly accessible from a dining area or galley or sleeping quarters, unless it is a part of that sleeping quarters’ private accommodation;

• (c) if practicable, it must be directly accessible from a passageway; and

• (d) if it contains more than one water closet, each water closet must be enclosed in a separate compartment fitted with a door and an inside locking device.

51. If an employee is required to live on board a vessel, the employer must provide a laundry facility or other arrangement so that laundry can be done on a regular basis.

52. If employees are required to live on board a vessel, they must be given access to a specified open deck when they are off-duty.

53. A vessel of more than 3000 gross tonnage must have a ship’s office for use by employees of the deck and engine departments.

54. If an employee is required to live on board a vessel, a recreational facility must be furnished at a minimum with

• (a) a bookcase that contains vocational and other books, the inventory of which must be adequate for the duration of the voyage and changed at reasonable intervals together with a facility for reading and writing;

• (b) a radio capable of receiving broadcast on bands such as AM/FM/SW; and

• (c) a television set equipped with electronic equipment capable of showing films, the inventory of which must be adequate for the duration of the voyage and changed at reasonable intervals.