The hands-free spigot from PolyPortables Inc. enables field workers to wash their hands without transferring germs and helps customers comply with more stringent workplace hand-washing regulations prompted by agricultural-related disease outbreaks.
“We wanted to find a way to prevent cross-contamination,” says Robert Davis, PolyPortables western division manager. “Everyone is becoming so conscious of the necessity for hand-washing. Some counties in California already are increasing the number of times workers are required to wash their hands.”
Each spigot features an arm extension, with a slightly curved face at the end. Users activate the spigot by putting their forearms against the curved face and pushing in.
A 30-gallon water tank sits atop the sink unit, which is made of rotationally molded polyethylene. It measures 84 inches wide, 24 inches tall and 11 inches deep and weighs 35 pounds. A built-in reservoir and a metering device behind each spigot ensure consistent water flow and pressure.
“Usually, you lose water pressure as the tank drains,” Davis says. “But with the reservoir and metering device, the spigot will dispense water evenly, no matter how low the water level is.”
The unit includes four spigots, which minimizes long lines and helps maintain worker productivity. It mounts with bolts on the back of a restroom trailer without major fabrication. A 30-gallon tank below the spigots catches graywater (both tanks measure 39 1/2 inches wide, 20 inches tall and 9 1/2 inches deep).
“It doesn’t require a major overhaul of an existing trailer system,” Davis says. “There are so many ag trailers out there, so we wanted something that wouldn’t require a lot of adaptations — cutting and welding. You can mount the unit, then run a hose from an existing water source into the back of it.”
Moreover, customers can turn traditional hand-wash stations into hands-free units by swapping out the existing spigots with individual hands-free spigots, Davis points out. Each spigot weighs 1 1/2 pounds.
“It’s universal, so it works on PolyPortables as well as other hand-wash stations. It’s an inexpensive modification for customers who must meet new requirements for hands-free operation,” he says.
For more information: 800/241-7951 or www.polyportables.com.
