Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 3, September 1, 2024
45.1 A licensee shall ensure the center is free of unacceptable exposure to hazardous materials.
45.2 An applicant and licensee shall ensure the center is free of lead-based paint hazards. Buildings constructed in or after 1978 are exempt from lead-paint risk assessments and testing.
45.2.1 If the buildings were constructed before 1978, an applicant or licensee shall provide to OCCL a lead-paint risk assessment performed by an environmental testing firm certified by DPH showing the center to be free of lead-based paint hazards.
45.2.1.1 Before license renewal, unless previously submitted to OCCL, a licensee shall submit this risk assessment.
45.2.1.2 If lead paint is identified but intact (i.e. not chipping, flaking, or peeling), the licensee shall monitor the identified areas at least every six months and document that the lead-based paint is intact (in good repair and not deteriorated). Lead-based paint is not regarded as a hazard if it is intact, not present in an accessible surface, a friction surface, or an impact surface that could result in an adverse human health effect.
45.2.2 If lead-paint hazards are identified in the risk assessment, the applicant or licensee shall remedy the hazards by hiring a lead-safe contractor (lead abatement or renovation firm) certified by DPH to make the repairs.
45.2.2.1 Once the repairs are made, a lead-dust clearance inspection must be performed by an environmental testing firm certified by DPH to confirm the center is free of lead-based paint hazards.
45.2.2.2 The applicant or licensee shall provide the lead-dust clearance testing results to OCCL within five (5) business days to confirm the center is free of lead-based paint hazards.
45.2.2.3 Children may not be present during repairs and the center must stay closed until the results of the lead dust clearance test are at appropriate levels, and the lead-safe contractor states it is safe for the center to be open.
45.2.3 If any lead-based paint identified in a risk assessment in a pre-1978 child-occupied facility becomes deteriorated or if lead-based paint is located in an area to be remodeled, a licensee shall retain a contractor certified by DPH to work using lead-safe work practices (lead abatement or lead renovator) to perform any renovation or repair.
45.2.3.1 Records of this renovation or repair work must be forwarded to OCCL within five (5) business days.
45.2.3.2 Children may not be present during repairs or renovation until a lead dust clearance test is obtained and the lead-safe contractor states it is safe for the center to be open.
45.3 A licensee shall ensure radon testing is performed in each room used for child care once every five years between the months of October and March and within six months after any remodeling, renovations, or construction.
45.3.1 This testing may be performed by the property owner or an inspector certified by the American Association of Radon Scientists, the National Radon Safety Board, or any organization recognized by the EPA or State of Delaware Radon Program.
45.3.2 If testing indicates a radon level over 4.0 pCi/L, a licensee shall ensure acceptable radon mitigation occurs or a long-term radon test (90-120 days) indicates a level less than 4.0 pCi/L.
45.3.3 A licensee shall ensure copies of radon testing results are sent to OCCL within five business days of receiving the results.
45.4 A licensee shall ensure containers of poisonous, toxic, or hazardous materials are:
45.4.1 Labeled with the contents;
45.4.2 Used only in the manner and under the conditions that will not contaminate food or constitute a hazard to children or to staff; and
45.4.3 Stored in a locked storage space accessible only to staff.
45.5 Materials required for routine cleaning and maintenance must be stored out of children's reach and used in a safe manner.
45.6 The storage of flammable liquids and gases is not be permitted except as allowed by the Office of the Fire Marshal.
45.7 A licensee shall ensure the center is free from illegal drugs.
