Montana Handwashing Sink Regulations

Most Montana businesses subject to handwashing sink regulations are generally overseen by the Montana Department of Health & Human Services (DPHHS). While DPHHS has oversight, the rules are set by the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) and generally enforced by local governments.

That may seem like a lot of government layers, but Montana’s handwashing sink regulations are fairly straightforward and apply to only a few industries in the state.

Handwashing Sink Regulations for Montana Retail Food Establishments

Retail food establishments in Montana are regulated by the Environmental Health and Food Safety Section of the DPHHS. Handwashing sink rules for these businesses are based on the 2013 version of the FDA Food Code and say that every retail food establishment must have handwashing sinks that:

• Have a hand drying device, which can be an air dryer, single-use paper towels, a continuous towel system, or an air-knife dryer.
• Hand cleanser, which can be liquid, bar, or powdered soap
• Waste basket
• Are in the food prep, food dispensing, and warewashing areas
• Have hot and cold-tempered water through a mixing valve or combination faucet.
• Has hot water that’s at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit
• Provides water for at least 15 seconds if the faucet is motion-activated

Montana also specifically states that splash from a handwashing sink cannot contaminate food, food contact surfaces, clean equipment, or utensils. To eliminate that risk, retail food establishments can use a “washable baffle or barrier” when the handwashing sink is close to one of these areas.

The soap and paper towel dispenser also must be close enough to the sink so that someone reaching for these won’t contaminate these surfaces.

Montana Handwashing Sink Regulations for Temporary Food Establishments

Temporary food establishments (TFE) in Montana are also subject to handwashing sink regulations. The state designates a retail food establishment as a TFE when:

• It’s at one location for no more than 21 days for a single event or celebration
• It operates within a single county at a recurring event or celebration for no more than 45 days and uses a fixed menu

All TFEs must have a permit issued by local authorities. To get the permit, all food vendors either must have a handwashing station or reasonable access to stations that:

• Are conveniently located in the food prep, food dispensing, and ware washing areas
• Are only for hands
• Have posted handwashing signs

Handwashing stations are not required when commercially pre-packed foods in their original container are the only food being served.

Montana allows TFE and organizers to choose what kind of handwashing station to provide. While gravity systems and portable handwashing sinks are acceptable, they must meet some basic guidelines, including:

• Provide potable warm water from a container with free-flowing water.
• Have a catch basin for dirty water.
• Supply hand soap, single-use towels in a dispenser, and a waste basket

Handwashing Sink Regulations for Mobile Food Establishments in Montana

Every mobile food establishment (MFE) in Montana is subject to handwashing sink guidelines. An MFE can be:

• A self-sufficient vehicle or trailer, which means it can safely prepare food that is temperature sensitive, has hot and cold storage, and a handwashing station on board the MFE.
• A vehicle or trailer that isn’t self-sufficient, which means it can dispense temperature-sensitive food safely but cannot cook or reheat it.
• A push cart, which must be pushed, moved, or hauled, and cannot move on its own.

No matter the MFE, it must have a handwashing station on board — even the push cart, unless local authorities allow the operator to use a portable sink instead. The exception to this exception is push carts that only serve commercially prepared foods that aren’t temperature sensitive do not need a handwashing sink on board or nearby.

The handwashing sink must:

• Be located on the MFE when food prep and ware washing happen there
• Provide pressurized, potable hot and cold running water
• Have hand cleaner, single-use paper towels in a dispenser, and a waste basket

Montana Handwashing Sink Regulations for Body Art Shops

Montana’s DPHHS also regulates body art facilities. While shops must provide handwashing sinks for artists, they’re also required to provide handwashing sinks for clients. What’s more, the handwashing sink requirements are different for permanent establishments compared to temporary or mobile ones.

Client handwashing sinks at permanent body art shops must:

• Provide hot and cold water through a mixing or combination valve unless it’s a temporary or mobile body art shop.
• Have free-flowing water for at least 20 seconds if the faucet is automatic.
• Supply single-use paper towels unless nondisposable towels are mechanically washed and hot air dried at at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of 10 minutes

Artist handwashing sinks must be:

• In every room or within 10 feet of the procedure room
• Within 14 feet of the client chair
• Sanitized with an EPA-certified disinfectant at least twice a day

Handwashing sinks cannot be in the bathroom. But if the handwashing sink can’t be in the procedure room, there must be a self-closing door or curtain in front of the procedure room. Any facility that has a handwashing sink more than 14 feet from the client chair may be required to install more sinks.

Every handwashing sink must also:

• Provide hot and cold water through a mixing or combination valve
• Have free-flowing water for at least 20 seconds from an automatic faucet
• Be used only for washing hands
• Supply paper towels and a waste basket

While not required, handwashing sinks for artists should be wrist- or foot-activated. If that’s not possible, artists are required to operate the faucets with a clean paper towel to avoid contaminating their hands.

Temporary and mobile body art establishments in Montana are those that do not stay at a single location for more than 14 days every year. These body art facilities must have a gravity or pressurized water storage tank with enough potable water to meet peak handwashing demands. If the temporary or mobile establishment doesn’t have mechanically heated water, the artist can use warm water as long as the local authorities approve. 

While the above rules also apply to body piercers, handwashing sink regulations are different for people who only pierce earlobes. In that case, the regulations state that the piercer must have easy access to a handwashing sink. However, if that handwashing sink is not within 10 feet of the procedure room, it’s acceptable to use hand sanitizer instead.

Portable Sinks Help You Comply

For industries that have to comply with handwashing sink regulations in Montana, the guidelines are fairly straightforward. However, ensuring your business follows the regulations can mean installing a handwashing sink or two. Fortunately, Montana offers many business owners the option of using a portable sink instead of committing to an expensive and messy remodeling.

Ozark River Manufacturing’s portable sinks meet Montana’s handwashing sink regulations. Many models have hot and cold water, wrist-activated faucets, paper towel dispensers, and more. What’s more, our portable sinks are ready to go right out of the box. Simply unpack, plug in, and have instant access to safe water for washing hands. Our sinks are the perfect solution for:

Contact us today and learn more about our portable sink solutions, or browse our entire product lineup.