Ohio Administrative Code
Title 5101:2 - Division of Social Services
Chapter 5101:2-14 - Certified In-home Aides
Section 5101:2-14-05 - Safe and sanitary requirements for in-home aides
Universal Citation: OH Admin Code 5101:2-14-05
Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024
(A) What are the safe and sanitary environment and equipment requirements for an in-home aide (IHA)?
(1) The IHA is to provide a safe
and healthy environment in the home when children are present.
(2)
The home is to be
free of peeling or chipping paint. If a potential lead hazard is identified,
the IHA is to notify the local health department and the county agency by the
next business day.
(3)
Cleaning and sanitizing equipment and supplies are to
be stored in a space that is inaccessible to children. Cleaning agents, aerosol
cans and all other chemical substances are to be stored in a designated area in
their original containers and/or clearly labeled.
(4)
Accumulated trash
and garbage are to be stored outside of the indoor or outdoor play area and not
accessible to the children.
(5)
Toilets are to be
flushed after each use.
(6)
All weapons, including loaded and unloaded firearms and
ammunition are to be stored in a secure, safe, locked environment inaccessible
to children while in the care of the IHA at the home. Weapons and firearms
include air rifles, hunting slingshots and any other projectile
weapon.
(7)
All alcohol, drugs, and household and child medications
are to be kept out of the reach of children while in the care of the IHA at the
home.
(8)
Toys or other materials small enough to be swallowed
are to be kept out of the reach of infants and toddlers.
(9)
Electrical
outlets, including surge protectors, within the reach of children are to have
child proof receptacle covers when not in use unless designed with safety
guards. This requirement does not apply if the child's home serves only
schoolage children.
(10)
There is to be at least one underwriters laboratories
(UL) or factory mutual laboratories (FM) smoke detector located in the basement
and on each level of the home. The smoke detectors are to be placed, installed,
tested and maintained in accordance with manufacturer's
recommendations.
(11)
There is to be at least one UL or FM portable fire
extinguisher in the home which is to have a minimum rating of 1A:10BC. If there
is only one UL or FM portable fire extinguisher in the home it is to be located
in the kitchen of the home.
(12)
The home is to
have both hot and cold running water. The temperature of the hot water is not
to exceed one hundred twenty degrees Fahrenheit unless the IHA demonstrates
that the hot water faucet can be made inaccessible or inoperable to the
children in care.
(B) What are the handwashing requirements for a certified IHA ?
(1)
The IHA and the children in care are to
comply with the following handwashing requirements:
(a)
Handwashing is to
occur in a handwashing sink.
(b)
If the
handwashing sink is not of suitable height for use by children, a sturdy,
nonslip platform on which the children may stand is to be
provided.
(c)
Handwashing is detailed in appendix A to this
rule.
(C) What are the communicable disease requirements for a certified IHA?
(1)
If the IHA cares for sick children, the IHA is to
follow the guidelines detailed in appendix B to this rule.
(2)
The JFS 08087
"Communicable Disease Chart" is to be readily available to the IHA, parents and
residents.
(a)
The IHA is to follow the reporting requirements listed on
the JFS 08087.
(b)
If the communicable disease is to be reported to the
local health department, the IHA is to report the communicable disease in the
Ohio child licensing and quality system (OCLQS) by logging into
https://oclqs.force.com
by the next business day pursuant to rule
5101:2-14-07 of the
Administrative Code.
(D) What are the first aid requirements for a certified IHA?
(1)
An unlocked,
closed first-aid container is to be on premises and readily available to the
IHA, but is to be kept out of reach of children.
(2)
The first-aid
container is to contain all of the items listed in appendix C to this
rule.
(E) What are the specific procedures the IHA needs to follow for standard precautions?
(1)
Blood spills are to be treated cautiously and
decontaminated promptly. Disposable vinyl gloves are to be worn during contact
with blood or bodily fluids which contain blood, such as vomit or feces in
which blood can be seen.
(2)
Surfaces contaminated with blood or bodily fluids
containing blood are to be first cleaned with hot, soapy water and then
sanitized with an appropriate bleach solution which is prepared on a daily
basis, according to product guidelines or other acceptable disinfectant
solution which is environmental protection agency (EPA) rated as hospital
disinfectant with a label claim for mycobactericidal activity.
(3)
Materials that
contain blood are to be disposed in a sealable, leak-proof plastic bag or
double bagged in plastic bags that are securely tied.
(4)
Non-disposable
items, such as clothing that contain blood, are to be placed in a sealable,
leak proof plastic bag or double bagged in plastic bags that are securely
tied.
(5)
Sharp items used for procedures on children with
special care needs, such as lancets for finger sticks or syringes, require a
disposable container called a "sharps container." This is a container made of
durable, rigid material which safely stores the lancets or needles until they
are disposed of properly. Sharps containers are to be stored out of the reach
of children.
(F) Are on-site pools allowed to be used at a child's home?
(1)
If the
child's home has a swimming pool located on the premises, the pool is to be
made inaccessible to children who are in care by a fence or other physical
barrier (the locked house door is not a sufficient barrier) that prevents
children from accessing the water. A pool is to meet at least one of the
following barrier options:
(a)
For in-ground or at ground level pool:
(i)
A barrier that
prevents a child from going around, under or through to access the pool water
and the means of access to the pool (i.e. ladder, gate to deck) is secured,
locked or removed to prevent access to pool water.
(ii)
A fence that is
at least four feet tall that separates the pool from the play
area.
(iii)
A secure cover that meets the following
standards:
(a)
Inhibits access to the pool water.
(b)
Demonstrates an
opening is sufficiently small and strong enough to prevent an infant from
passing through.
(c)
Is able to hold a weight of at least four hundred
eighty-five pounds.
(d)
Has manufacture safety label attached.
(e)
Prevents water
collecting on the cover surface.
(b)
For an above
ground or above ground level pool:
(i)
A minimum of four feet walls (four feet above ground
level) that are non-climbable and non-inflatable and the means of access to the
pool (i.e. ladder, gate to deck) is secured, locked or removed to prevent
access to pool water.
(ii)
A fence that is at least four feet tall that separates
the pool from the play area.
(iii)
A secure cover
that meets the following standards:
(a)
Inhibits access to the pool water.
(b)
Demonstrates an
opening is sufficiently small and strong enough to prevent an infant from
passing through.
(c)
Is able to hold a weight of at least four hundred
eighty-five pounds.
(d)
Has manufacture safety label attached.
(e)
Prevents water
collecting on the cover surface.
(2)
The
IHA is not to permit use of the pool by children in care.
(G) What are the requirements for swimming sites for the IHA and children in care?
(1)
An approved
off-site swimming site is to meet all state and local guidelines for
environmental health inspections. Activities in bodies of water and more than
eighteen inches in depth are to be supervised by people who are currently
certified lifeguards or water safety instructors by the "American Red Cross" or
an equivalent water safety program, as determined by ODJFS.
(2)
Pursuant to rule
5101:2-14-08 of the
Administrative Code, the IHA is to actively supervise children and is to be
able to clearly see all parts of the swimming area, including the bottom of the
pool. The provider is not to serve as a life guard.
(3)
The use of
saunas, hot tubs and spas by children is prohibited and are to be inaccessible
to them.
(4)
Swimming in lakes, rivers, ponds, creeks or other
similar bodies of water is prohibited.
(5)
Wading pools less
than eighteen inches in wall height are permitted regardless of the amount of
water put into it.
(a)
Wading pools are to be filtered or emptied daily, and
portable wading pools are to be disinfected daily or more often if
needed.
(b)
The IHA is to supervise children at all times while a
wading pool is in use and is to be able to clearly see all parts of the wading
area.
(H) What are the requirements for parental permission for water and swimming activities?
(1)
The IHA is to
have written permission from the parent when water is directly accessible to
children and for the following activities:
(a)
Before the child
swims or plays in water eighteen inches or more in depth.
(b)
Before the child
participates in activities, in or on water eighteen inches or more in
depth.
(c)
Before infants and toddlers use wading
pools.
(2)
Written parental permission is to be on file for one
year at the home. Written permission for on-going activities such as wading
pools is to be updated annually.
(I) What is to be included in the written parental permission?
(1)
Child's name and
date of birth.
(2)
Statement indicating whether the child is a non-swimmer
or capable of swimming.
(3)
Location of the water activities or swimming site by
water of eighteen or more inches in depth.
(4)
A signature and
date from the parent indicating permission for the activity.
(J) What are the regulations for pets in the child's home?
(1)
Pets and animals
are to be permitted if they present no apparent threat to the safety or health
of the children.
(2)
All pets are to be properly housed, cared for, licensed
and inoculated. All local and state ordinances governing the keeping of animals
(exotic or domesticated) are to be followed and updated as required.
Verification of license and compliance with local and state requirements and
inoculations, for each pet requiring such license or inoculations, or regulated
by local or state government is to be on file at the child's
home.
(3)
The IHA is not permitted to bring their own pet or
animal to the child's home.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Ohio may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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