Rule 5101:2-9-06 | General safety.
(A) No residential facility shall maintain any explosives, pyrotechnics, firearms, chemical weapons, or other similar device or substance anywhere on the grounds of the facility.
(B) No residential facility shall permit any staff person, child, or security personnel to bear any firearm, chemical weapon, or other weapon or similar device while such person is anywhere on the grounds of the facility or on duty. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as prohibiting law enforcement authorities from bearing arms when they are present at the residential facility in conjunction with their official responsibilities.
(C) A residential facility is to be free of peeling or chipping paint. If a potential lead hazard is identified, the Ohio department of job and family services (ODJFS) is to make a referral to the appropriate agency.
(D) All porches and patios more than thirty-six inches above ground level, elevated walkways, and elevated play areas on the grounds of a residential facility shall be enclosed with barriers designed to prevent falls.
(E) All workshop or outdoor power-driven equipment used by a residential facility shall be maintained and operated in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. Such equipment may be used by children as permitted by law but only when under the supervision of a staff person.
(F) Smoking shall not be permitted in the presence of a child. If a residential facility permits smoking, the facility shall allow smoking only in an outdoor designated area. In the designated smoking area there shall be a proper smoking waste receptacle for collection of waste. All employees who engage in smoking shall wash their hands when they reenter the facility. There shall be no smoking in vehicles while transporting children of the facility.
(G) All stairways accessible to children within or on the grounds of a residential facility which contain more than four steps shall be equipped with a railing. In addition, any facility which is a residential parenting facility or crisis care facility shall guard all stairways accessible to children with a safety gate.
(H) Outdoor areas on the grounds of or immediately adjacent to a residential facility which are potentially hazardous to residents shall be safeguarded considering the age and functioning level of the residents.
(I) Each residential facility shall document that all swimming pools maintained by the facility comply with the requirements of any local or state codes.
(J) Pets or other domesticated animals in or on the premises of a residential facility shall be kept in a safe and sanitary manner in accordance with state and local laws. Pet vaccinations shall be maintained current at all times.
(K) All children or teenage mothers residing at a residential facility shall be protected from animals in or on the premises of the facility which are potentially dangerous to their health and safety.
(L) Door locks:
(1) All locks on at least one door to any room or storage area in which a child could be confined in a residential facility shall be of the type which permit the door to be unlocked from either side of the door and be unlocked from the inside of the room or storage area without a key.
(2) Doors on the grounds of a residential facility that do not need a lock that can be unlocked from either side of the door are:
(a) A separate entrance to a portion of the residential facility such as a cellar, basement or outside storage room that is not accessible from within the residential facility.
(b) A separate building such as a garage, barn or storage shed on the grounds of a residential facility.
(c) Keys to these type of doors shall be kept in a place accessible only to staff of the facility.
(M) All doors on toilet stalls and bathtub or shower stalls used by children in a residential facility shall be of the type which permit the door to be unlatched from either side of the door unless the stall is of such construction as to permit emergency access by climbing over or crawling under the partitions.
(N) Each residential facility which maintains any poisonous, toxic, or flammable materials and substances for any purpose on the grounds of the facility shall maintain all such substances in locked storage areas and according to the manufacturer's instructions.
(O) Stationary or portable outdoor recreational equipment designated for climbing, and swings and slides shall be anchored or stable. All recreational equipment shall be appropriate to the age and functioning level of the residents.
(P) Outdoor recreational equipment designated for climbing, and swings and slides shall be surrounded by a protective, resilient surface that meets the following requirements:
(1) Fall zones shall have a protective resilient material on the ground under and around the equipment.
(2) The material shall be, but not limited to, washed pea gravel, mulch, sand, wood chips, synthetic material such as rubber mats or tiles manufactured for this purpose. Synthetic surfaces shall follow manufacturer's guidelines for depth.
(3) Equipment shall not be placed over grass, concrete, asphalt, blacktop, dirt, rocks, or any hard surface.
(4) Any loose-fill particulate impact absorbing material under and around recreational equipment shall be checked at least monthly for packing, and shall be turned over or raked up to increase the resilience capability.
Supplemental Information