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Subchapter 4. Construction Safety Orders
Article 3. General

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§1524. Water Supply.


(a) Potable Water.
(1) An adequate supply of potable water shall be provided in all places of employment.
Note: Additional requirements for the provision of drinking water in outdoor places of employment are contained in Section 3395.
(2) The employer shall take one or more of the following steps to ensure every employee has access to drinking water:
(A) Provide drinking fountains.
(B) Supply single-service cups. Where single-service cups are supplied, a sanitary container for the unused cups and a receptacle for disposing of the used cups shall be provided.
(C) Supply sealed one-time use water containers. Where sealed one-time use water containers are supplied, a receptacle for disposing of the used containers shall be provided.
(D) Ensure re-usable, closable containers are available for individual employee use. Where re-usable containers for individual use are relied upon for compliance with this section, the employer shall ensure the containers are marked to identify the user and maintained in a sanitary condition.
(3) Portable containers used to dispense drinking water to more than one person shall be equipped with a faucet or drinking fountain. Drinking water containers shall be capable of being tightly closed and shall be otherwise designed, constructed and serviced so that sanitary conditions are maintained. Water shall not be dipped from containers.
(4) Any container used to store or dispense drinking water shall be clearly marked as to the nature of its contents and shall not be used for any other purpose.
(5) Re-usable containers for individual use and drinking cups shall not be shared or used in common.
Exception: Re-usable containers for individual use and drinking cups which are safely and effectively cleaned and sanitized between use by different users.
(b) Nonpotable Water.
(1) Nonpotable water shall not be used for the purposes of drinking, washing, or food preparation.
(2) Outlets for nonpotable water, such as water for industrial or firefighting purposes, shall be posted in a manner understandable to all employees to indicate that the water is unsafe and is not to be used for drinking, washing or cooking purposes.
(3) Nonpotable water systems or systems carrying any other nonpotable substance shall be maintained so as to prevent backflow or backsiphonage into a potable water system.
Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.
HISTORY
1. New section filed 7-12-74; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 74, No. 28).
2. Repealer and new section filed 1-7-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 75, No. 2).
3. Amendment filed 9-27-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 40).
4. Amendment filed 7-30-2008; operative 8-29-2008 (Register 2008, No. 31).

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