Failure to Manage Garbage Resulting in Blocked Exit Routes
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper disposal and management of garbage, resulting in a significant accumulation of trash at the back of the building that obstructed exit routes. A community-reported complaint to the Rhode Island Department of Health alleged that large amounts of trash were blocking the entire back side of the facility, including exit doors used as fire exits. Photographs from the complainant showed multiple black and white trash bags, including bags containing yellow personal protective gowns, piled along the back entrance shared with the main kitchen. The garbage covered the entire platform surface, extended to the ground below, and blocked the exit ramp, with multiple large garbage bins filled to capacity. Interviews and record review revealed that the contracted garbage removal company had placed services on hold after non-payment by the facility, with the last pickup occurring in late November and not resuming until early January. The representative from the garbage removal company confirmed that weekly Thursday pickups had been suspended due to non-payment. The Assistant Director of Maintenance acknowledged that garbage had not been picked up during this period and confirmed that the photographs accurately depicted the accumulation of garbage and blocked exit routes. The Administrator also acknowledged the photographs showing the large accumulation of garbage at the back entrance. When the surveyor later observed the back entrance, no garbage accumulation was present and exit routes were unobstructed, leading to a determination of past noncompliance.
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