Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro has asked the Public Utilities Board (PUB) to approve its spending $250,000 in the coming year to begin adding female washrooms to 60 facilities.
In its capital budget application for 2013, filed with the PUB in August, Hydro states it will add the washrooms over the next 15 years, but needs to do so because the sites currently only have a single washroom.
“With the increasing presence of female employees in what was once considered to be non-traditional roles, Hydro is seeing more females working and/or visiting field operating facilities,” states an addition to the budget submission detailing the proposed spending.
“With this changing dynamic comes the requirement to provide separate female washroom facilities to support workplace inclusion and diversity.”
Female washrooms are also a requirement of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.
“Given that the existing facilities contain single washrooms, the alternative of installing privacy locksets and affixing unisex signage on the washroom doorways was considered. Consultations with the provincial Occupational Health and Safety enforcement officers have deemed this to be an unacceptable solution,” Hydro’s application states.
“The regulations state that separate facilities and therefore the provision of additional washroom space is required.”
The facilities requiring new washrooms include diesel plants, hydroelectric plants, and terminal station control buildings.
The PUB is currently reviewing Hydro’s proposed construction and upkeep work for 2013 and will ultimately decide whether or not the spending for the work is appropriate.
afitzpatrick@thetelegram.com
not linesman....linesperson