Hazardous Chemicals Left Accessible Due to Unlocked Housekeeping Room
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a safe environment free from accident hazards for four cognitively impaired, independently mobile residents. During an initial facility tour, an unlocked housekeeping room was observed on the East Hall, containing multiple hazardous chemicals, including toilet bowl cleaner, sporicidal disinfectant, heavy-duty cleaner, and disinfectant spray. These chemicals were labeled with warnings indicating risks such as burns, eye damage, and harm if swallowed, and instructions to keep them out of reach of children. The door to the housekeeping room, which was equipped with a keypad lock, was found in the unlocked position due to an inside lever being turned, allowing unrestricted access. Maintenance staff confirmed that the chemicals should have been stored in a locked, secure location and that the door was improperly left unlocked. Administrative nursing staff also verified that the housekeeping room should always be locked and chemicals should not be accessible to residents. The facility's policy required chemicals to be stored according to manufacturer guidelines and out of resident reach when not in use, in compliance with the Globally Harmonized System for chemical labeling and storage. Despite these policies, the chemicals were accessible to residents, resulting in a deficiency.