HEALTH AND SAFETY INSPECTABLE ITEMS
Items to inspect for "Health and Safety" are as follows:
- Air Quality
- Electrical Hazards
- Elevator
- Emergency/Fire Exits
- Flammable Materials
- Garbage and Debris
- Hazards
- Infestation
Air Quality
Indoor/outdoor spaces must be free from high levels of sewer gas, fuel gas, mold, mildew or other harmful pollutants. Indoors must have adequate ventilation.
The following deficiencies can be noted:
- Mold and/or Mildew Observed
- Propane/Natural Gas/Methane Gas Detected
- Sewer Odor Detected
Mold and/or Mildew Observed - Air Quality
Deficiency: You see mold or mildew or evidence of water infiltration or other moisture producing conditions.
Note: If the area has at least 1 square foot of mold or mildew, record it as a deficiency.
Propane/Natural Gas/Methane Gas Detected - Air Quality
Deficiency: You detect strong propane, natural gas, or methane gas odors that could:
- Pose a risk of explosion/fire.
- Pose a health risk if inhaled.
Sewer Odor Detected - Air Quality
Deficiency: You detect sewer odors.
Electrical Hazards
Any hazard that poses a risk of electrical fires, electrocution or spark/explosion.
The following deficiencies can be noted:
- Exposed Wires/Open Panels
- Water Leaks On or Near Electrical Equipment
Exposed Wires/Open Panels - Electrical Hazards
Deficiency: You see exposed bare wires or openings in electrical panels.
Note:
- If the accompanying property representative has identified abandoned wiring, capped wires do not pose a risk and should not be recorded as a deficiency. They must be enclosed in a junction box as defined in Note 2, below.
- If the capped wires are not properly enclosed in a junction box, record as a deficiency.
Water Leaks On or Near Electrical Equipment - Electrical Hazards
Deficiency: You see water leaking, puddling or ponding on or immediately near any electrical apparatus. This could pose a risk of fire, electrocution or explosion.
Elevator – Tripping (Health and Safety)
Vertical conveyance system for moving personnel, equipment, materials, household goods, etc.
Deficiency: An elevator is misaligned with the floor by more than 3/4 inch. The elevator does not level as it should, which causes a tripping hazard.
Emergency/Fire Exits (Health and Safety)
All buildings must have acceptable fire exits that are also properly marked and operational. This includes fire towers, stairway access doors and external exits. These can include operable windows on the lower floors with easy access to the ground or a back door opening onto a porch with a stairway leading to the ground.
Note: This does not apply to individual units.
The following deficiencies can be noted:
- Blocked/Unusable (Emergency/Fire Exits)
- Missing Exit Signs
Blocked/Unusable - Emergency/Fire Exits
Deficiency: The exit cannot be used or exit is limited because a door or window is nailed shut, a lock is broken, panic hardware is chained, debris, storage or other conditions.
Missing Exit Signs - Emergency/Fire Exits
Deficiency:
- Exit signs that clearly identify all emergency exits are missing.
-OR There is no adjacent or other internal illumination in operation on or near the sign.
Flammable/Combustible Materials – Improperly Stored
Any substance that is either known to be combustible or flammable or is stored in a container identifying it as such.
Deficiency: Flammable materials or combustible materials are improperly stored near a heat or electrical source, causing the potential risk of fire or explosion.
Note: Flammable or combustible materials may include, but are not limited to, gasoline, paint thinners, kerosene, propane, paper, boxes, etc.
Garbage and Debris
Accumulation of garbage and debris exceeding the capacity of the storage area or not stored in an area sanctioned for such use.
The following deficiencies can be noted:
- Indoors
- Outdoors
Indoors - Garbage and Debris
Deficiency:
- Too much garbage has gathered, more than the planned storage capacity.
-OR Garbage has gathered in an area that is not sanctioned for staging or storing garbage or debris.
Outdoors - Garbage and Debris
Deficiency:
- Too much garbage has gathered; more than the planned storage capacity.
-OR Garbage has gathered in an area not sanctioned for staging or storing garbage or debris.
Hazards (Health and Safety)
Physical hazards that pose risk of bodily injury.
The following deficiencies can be noted:
- Sharp Edges
- Tripping
- Other Hazards
Deficiency: If you see any general defects or hazards that pose risk of bodily injury, you must note them.
Sharp Edges Hazards
Deficiency: You see any physical defect that could cause cutting or breaking human skin or other bodily harm, generally in commonly used or traveled areas.
Tripping - Hazards
Deficiency: You see any physical defect that poses a tripping risk, generally in walkways or other traveled areas. Typically, the defect must present at least a three-quarter inch deviation.
Infestation (Health and Safety)
Presence of rats, or severe infestation by mice or insects such as roaches or termites.
The following deficiencies can be noted:
- Insects
- Rats/Mice/Vermin
Insects - Infestation
Deficiency: You see evidence of infestation of insects, including roaches and ants, throughout a unit or room, especially in food preparation and storage areas.
Rats/Mice/Vermin - Infestation
Deficiency: You see evidence of rats or mice sightings, rat or mouse holes, or droppings.