Unsafe Storage of Hazardous Chemicals
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to store chemicals in a safe and secure manner, resulting in open and accessible canisters of Sani-Cloth germicidal disposable wipes and Sani-Cloth bleach germicidal disposable wipes being left on a linen cart near resident rooms. Both canisters were observed to be open and within reach of residents, including four individuals identified as cognitively impaired and independently mobile who resided outside of the memory care unit. Product labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for these chemicals indicated they are hazardous, with warnings to keep them out of reach of children, use personal protective equipment, and avoid contact with skin and eyes. An LPN confirmed during interview that the chemicals were accessible to residents and stated that facility protocol required such items to be stored in a locked room or compartment. Facility policies reviewed emphasized the importance of maintaining an environment free from accident hazards and providing a safe, clean, and comfortable setting for residents. The failure to secure hazardous chemicals was found to be inconsistent with these policies and had the potential to affect the safety of cognitively impaired residents.