Library: Policy

340:100-6-44. Housekeeping and environment

Revised 5-11-07

     Each group home and its yard must be clean, well-maintained, safe, free from hazards, and adapted to meet the needs of all service recipients.

• (1) Surroundings must be kept clean and neat and free from accumulated rubbish, weeds, ponded water, refuse, discarded furniture, old newspaper, or other items of a similar nature that may create a health hazard.
• (2) The group home provider employs effective methods to prevent the entrance and harborage of insects, spiders, and rodents.
• (3) All garbage must be properly stored and safely disposed of in accordance with local ordinance.
  • (A) Trash cans in service recipient areas must be kept clean.
  • (B) Outdoor garbage waste containers must be covered and insect and rodent resistant.
  • (C) Outside storage of garbage in plastic bags is prohibited.
  • (D) Sanitary garbage disposal must be provided.
• (4) Sanitary sewage disposal must be provided in accordance with Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) rules.
• (5) The interior of the group home must be safe, clean, and free of hazards.
  • (A) The home must be free from offensive odors, accumulation of dirt, rubbish, dust, and safety hazards.
  • (B) Floors and floor coverings must be clean and in good condition.  Floor polishes must provide for a non-slip finish.
  • (C) Walls and ceilings must be in good condition and cleaned regularly.  All group homes must have walls capable of being cleaned.
  • (D) Deodorizers must not be used to cover up odors caused by unsanitary conditions or poor housekeeping practices.
  • (E) Combustibles, such as cleaning rags and compounds, must be kept in closed metal containers in areas away from living areas.
  • (F) No items can be stored in the hot water heater closet or furnace closet.
  • (G) General laundry must be placed in linen hampers or carts.
  • (H) Linens or clothing soiled with human body fluids must be placed in bags or nonporous containers with lids tightly closed.
• (6) The group home must have:
  • (A) a kitchen and equipment to store, prepare, and serve food in a sanitary manner;
  • (B) utility service and adequate heating, cooling, and plumbing;
  • (C) lighting that is adequate for the service recipient's activities in each room;
  • (D) safe water supply in accordance with OSDH rules; and
  • (E) temperature extremes not less than 65 degrees Fahrenheit nor more than 85 degrees Fahrenheit for all areas occupied by service recipients.
• (7) Each service recipient's bedroom must have at least one electrical outlet.