Conditions faced by female workers were highlighted in a union report released on Monday that detailed risky coping strategies including deliberately dehydrating themselves or using unsafe locations to manage personal care.
Cathy Birch has worked in the rail industry for 13 years, and says, it's not uncommon for women to change their tampon or use their car door as a screen when relieving themselves.
She is angry that conditions for women have not improved over the past decade, adding that the industry falls short in supporting its workers.
"It's very disappointing, we're going to fix this bloody mess," Ms Birch told AAP.
The report includes first-hand accounts from women forced to justify toilet breaks over public radio, as well as workers who bled through their clothes or wet themselves at work due to lack of toilet access.
Workers also reported carrying their used period products in their pockets during their shifts, with some taking contraception to skip their periods due to a lack of facilities.
"When I arrive on site, I'm parking carefully and thinking about how am I going to screen myself best, so I use the drivers door. I keep a bag to keep the dirty toilet paper in. There's no way to wash your hands," Ms Birch says.
"It's pretty bad. There are women who have had urinary tract infections. Some people have ended up with a kidney infection, some hospitalised."
The report found that 82 per cent of transport workers believe limited access to sanitary toilet facilities undermines their dignity and respect as workers.
At least 73 per cent of women have experienced health problems, including urinary tract infections, dehydration, or stress, due to filthy bathroom facilities.
Ms Birch believes the lack of bathroom access adds to workforce inequalities, affecting both pregnant and postpartum women.
Union members are now calling for a complete overhaul of standards to guarantee women's dignity and health in the transport sector.
This includes guaranteed access to dedicated women's toilet facilities and proper sanitary disposal units serviced regularly by contractors.
"Women across the transport industry are being denied the most basic workplace rights: safe, clean toilets and the ability to use them when they need to," Rail, Tram and Bus Union national vice president Leanne Holmes said.
"This is more than just a workplace issue, it's a national health and safety crisis."
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