Failure to Maintain Outdoor Lighting and Secure Hazardous Materials
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain adequate outdoor lighting and proper storage of hazardous maintenance equipment and supplies. Observations revealed that most exterior lights, including those around the building, employee parking lot, and visitor parking area, were not functioning, leaving large areas unlit during nighttime hours. Only two of six lights in the visitor parking area were operational, and even those had only partial illumination. Staff interviews confirmed that the lack of functioning exterior lighting was a safety issue, particularly in the dark. Additionally, a sitting room adjacent to the activity area was found to be used for storage of maintenance equipment, including hazardous materials such as caulk and paint stripper, which were labeled with warnings. The room was unlocked and propped open, making these hazardous materials easily accessible to residents. Staff confirmed that the room, originally intended as a comfortable space for residents, had become a storage area with hazardous items within reach. Facility policies required hazardous materials to be stored securely and for the environment to be safe and homelike, but these standards were not met.