SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency (NEA) will step
up enforcement efforts at dirty toilets in coffeeshops and food
outlets islandwide.
Currently, NEA inspectors check on the toilets in these
places once a month.
This comes as the Restroom Association of Singapore (RAS)
released its latest toilet survey results, which show that toilets
in coffeeshops are still the dirtiest.
NEA said operators who chalk up 24 demerit points for poorly
maintained toilets will have their food outlet suspended, until
hygiene and cleanliness standards of the premises, including
toilets, are satisfactory.
Members of the public can also play a role in contributing towards
cleaner public toilets.
NEA is inviting the public to send pictures of dirty toilets via
its mobile app, myENV.
Action will be taken against operators who fail to keep their
toilets clean and provide the basic amenities.
The public can also continue to send pictures to
[email protected]
A revised Code of Practice for Environmental Health is expected to
come into effect for all new food outlet licensees early 2013
following a consultation with stakeholders from June.
The code stipulates a set of basic toilet design requirements, such
as the provision of adequate number of sanitary fittings, basic
amenities and ventilation systems, before NEA issues a licence to
food outlets.
NEA said it will work with industry representatives including
architects, developers and operators to look specifically into
design and infrastructure elements that make it easier to keep the
toilets clean.
Examples include the mandatory provision of automatic sensor taps
and installation of hand-wash basins, soap dispensers and
hand-drying facilities at a common location.
NEA is also encouraging more food outlets to join the Happy Toilet
Programme which is a voluntary system to help grade toilets and
improve the cleanliness standards of toilets.
The number of coffeeshop chain operators achieving certification
under the programme has increased from 58 in last November to 103
in February this year.
The RAS submitted its five recommendations to the government this
week, which include a mandatory rating scheme for toilets;
continued government intervention and enforcement; specialised
training of restroom attendants; higher toilet design guidelines;
and effective public awareness & engagement.
RAS said eight in 10 survey respondents wanted a mandatory rating
system for toilets.
The RAS also recommended stricter toilet design guidelines. 43.6
per cent of the respondents found cubicle space too tight and most
preferred toilets with seats over squatting ones.
According to the survey, toilet users said they want modesty boards
next to urinals, and a one-stop washing basin where people can wash
their hands, dry them, and dispose of their litter all in one
place.
They also recommend more specialised training for toilet attendants
and more hard-hitting messages to the public to remind them the
public awareness campaigns on toilet cleanliness.
The Association also wants to remind the public that toilet and
food hygiene are interlinked.
About two-thirds of people said they are fine with dirty toilets in
food outlets - as long as they sell good food.
- CNA/ck/fa