Failure to Maintain Safe Operating Condition of Kitchen Equipment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain essential mechanical equipment in the main kitchen in safe operating condition, specifically the plate warmer cart and the walk-in freezer. Observations revealed that the plate warmer lacked plate covers and functioned only sporadically, with one side not working and no covers or domes available for use. The Food Service Director (FSD) confirmed that the plate warmer had been unreliable for several months, and an additional unit provided from another facility was also nonfunctional. Staff and the Director of Maintenance (DOM) acknowledged ongoing issues with the plate warmer, which had not been fully addressed. The walk-in freezer exhibited multiple maintenance deficiencies, including a detached and cracked door seal, condensation and ice accumulation on the ceiling, floor, and food boxes, and a slippery floor inside the freezer. The FSD and DOM reported that these issues had persisted since before the last survey, with maintenance staff regularly chipping away ice as a temporary measure. The freezer door had not been repaired due to financial constraints, and the facility had not received or installed the necessary replacement parts. Maintenance logs indicated that staff were waiting for the door panel to be replaced while continuing to manage ice buildup on a weekly basis. Interviews with staff and review of inspection reports confirmed that the problems with the walk-in freezer and plate warmer had been communicated verbally and were known to both facility leadership and the local Board of Health. The facility's maintenance reporting system had shifted from a software platform to paper logbooks, with staff using various methods to report issues. Despite these reports, the underlying equipment deficiencies remained unresolved, resulting in continued unsafe conditions in the kitchen.