FEBRUARY 2013 | HIRE
AND
RENTAL
NEWS
| 15
In the later stages of 2012, the HRIA
conducted a survey of members with
portable toilet fleets as well as portable
toilet supplier members as the opening
initiative to reproduce the success of
European nations in developing and
implementing an industry wide operating
Code of Practice.
The HRIA is keen to replicate the success
of its European contemporaries and has
begun the process of gathering information
to gauge current industry operating
procedures and practices.
With the publication of the results online,
the HRIA believes it is possible to work
with members to develop a national code
of practice to bring the currently widely
divergent state regulations under one
guidance rule across Australia.
The following is a summary of the survey
results. Full survey results are available
online at:
www.hireandrental.com.au
in the
members section under industry news.
Interestingly, results of the survey
strongly indicated consensus for the need
for a national industry code of practice but
identified it is not the type of toilet that
is most important, more, maintaining a
standard of cleanliness.
According to HRIA Chief Executive Officer,
Phil Newby, the first survey of the portable
toilet market in Australia received a good
response from all members in all states.
“
Survey results reflect the average
fleet size is significant with 77% of fleets
comprised of less than 500 units; with 20%
of the market comprised of over 2000. This
gives a total fleet size of over 50,000 units.
“
The majority of fleets represented in the
survey were fresh water flush that could
also be connected to the sewer where
available. It is worth noting 24% of the
fleets were equally made up of recirculating
toilets and straight drop toilets.
“
Results show the main markets for the
rental of portable toilets were: construction;
residential; and events.
“
The frequency of service is always
a key issue with regulators, customers
and owners. The survey showed 25% of
members had no servicing policy; 20% were
monthly; 45% were fortnightly; and 10%
were weekly or shorter. This is probably the
events area where service can be almost
continuous.
“
The overwhelming consensus is hygiene
standards in portable toilets are best
controlled by the frequency and standard
Portable Toilets - developing a
national Code of Practice
HRIA Portable Toilet Survey 2012 - Overview of Results and Conclusions
of servicing and cleanliness. Frequency of
service leads onto charging for service.
The result was a three way tie between:
including the service fee in the rental rate;
not including in the rental rate; and a bit of
both. This might help explain the confusion
in the marketplace.
“
When questioned where regulation
guidance comes from participants produced
a confused set of replies. This was probably
to be expected since there is no one, overall
regulation or Federal Act currently in
place,” Mr Newby said.
The survey clearly showed Australian
regulations should be set in line with
appropriate and relevant authorities.
Currently the majority of survey
respondents indicated they gain
information on minimum service
requirements from WorkSafe/WorkCover
and OHS or WHS regulations, the EPA and
the HRIA (as the key representative body
for the industry).
“
Members have to work with state and
local authorities and operate within those
bodies’ take on the laws. It is certainly an
area screaming out for improvement. On
the conformity question, 80% nominated
they would really like a standard or code to
work to.
“
With regards to toilet types, straight
drop were opposed by 87% of the
participating members and recirculating by
60%
with a small proviso for events. What
was relevant here were the comments on
hygiene and cleanliness.
“
The majority of members, 80%, were
in favour of harmonised regulations
but confusingly 61% preferred a State
regulation over the ISO or USA standard.
This supports the view for an Australian
code.
“
The portable toilet rental fleet market
in Australia is significant in size but has
to work to a fractious set of regulations
and laws that are often subjective and
inconsistent across borders. This is ironic as
the product never changes.
The HRIA believes the first step for
the industry is to produce a code of best
practice in an attempt to set a standard
to be achieved by members and which
customers expect to be achieved.
“
The HRIA is now working with its
members to develop a code that will
attempt to pull together all states under
one guidance rule across Australia,” Phil
Newby said.
HR
EVENTS IN FOCUS
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