37.106.2520    RETIREMENT HOMES: LAUNDRY FACILITIES

(1) Laundry facilities utilized by a retirement home for laundering of its soiled laundry, including but not limited to bed linen, towels and washcloths, must be provided with:

(a) a mechanical washer and hot air tumble dryer. Manual washing and line drying of bed linen, towels and washcloths is prohibited. Dryers must be properly vented to prevent maintenance problems;

(b) a hot water supply system capable of supplying water at a temperature of 54 E C (130 E F) to the washer during all periods of use, or if a temperature of 54 E C (130 E F) cannot be attained or maintained, manufacturer documentation showing the cleansing products effectiveness at lower water temperatures by exponentially increasing the time laundry is exposed to the product;

(c) a separate area for sorting and storing soiled laundry and folding and storing clean laundry;

(d) separate carts for transporting soiled and cleaned laundry; and

(e) hand washing facilities including a sink, soap, and disposable towels. A soak sink may double as a handwashing sink.

(2) Sheets, pillow covers, towels and washcloths must be dried in a hot air tumble dryer or ironed at a minimum temperature of 150 E C (300 E F) .

(3) Facility staff handling laundry must cover their clothes while working with soiled laundry, use separate clean covering for their clothes while handling clean laundry, and wash their hands both after working with soiled laundry and before they handle clean laundry.

(4) The provisions of ARM 37.106.2520 do not apply to laundry facilities provided by the retirement home for the personal use of its residents.

History: Sec. 50-5-103, MCA; IMP, Sec. 50-5-103 and 50-5-214, MCA; NEW, 1996 MAR p. 1867, Eff. 7/4/96; TRANS, from DHES, 2002 MAR p. 185.