F0812

F

Failure to Enforce Beard Guard Use for Kitchen Staff

Scottsburg, Indiana Survey Completed on 03-18-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The facility failed to ensure kitchen staff used required facial hair coverings while working in food preparation and dishwashing areas. On 3/15/26 at 12:14 p.m., signage on the kitchen door stated that staff must have hairnets and beard guards in place to enter the kitchen. During an observation at 12:16 p.m., a dietary aide and a dishwasher, each with 1/2 inch or longer facial hair on their lip and chin areas, were seen working in the kitchen dish and food preparation areas without beard guards. In an interview at 12:19 p.m., the Dietary Manager stated they had just run out of beard guards, but confirmed that facility policy required beard guards to be worn while in the kitchen. The Executive Director later provided the facility’s written policy, last reviewed on 6/2/25, which specified that all personnel must wear approved beard guards in food preparation, processing, or storage areas, and that beard guards must fully cover all facial hair.

This deficiency was cited under 410 IAC 16.2-3.1-21(i)(3) and related to multiple complaint intakes, indicating noncompliance with state requirements for food procurement, storage, preparation, distribution, and service in accordance with professional standards.