Any Health Code Violations Here??

Updated on February 24, 2008
C.H. asks from Lincoln, NE
21 answers

How can you tell when it's time to report the stuff to the health dept.?

I just recently quit my job at a hotel for several reasons. What I've seen seems to me to be mulitiple health code violations.

* no garbage bags in the sm. garbage cans that are in the rooms.

* They don't wash the blankets. IF they do it's RARELY.

* They leave breakfeast food that is VERY easily accessible to anyone (milk, eggs, etc.)

* They reserve cinn. rolls the next day. Even IF they've been left out in the open, unused.

* There's mice on the 1st floor.

Is any of this stuff a health code violation??

I can understand wanting to be green, save the earth, etc. But mice in a hotel room. Come on. They've set out traps. But they don't do a thing. They keep on coming back. The hotel has gotten tons of customer complaints because of 'em mice.

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So What Happened?

I no longer work at the hotel for several reasons (the way I was being treated, I wasn't getting payed enough - less than minimum wage, and more). I'd like to thank y'all for your advice. Hope y'all have a nice rest of the day.

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M.B.

answers from Lincoln on

Yes,Yes,Yes!!! This is just asking for infection and viruses to spread throughout the hotel, report them and try and fine a job in a cleaner enviroment, you could come down with something.

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K.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

I know there are many code violations out there. I would just call and tell the health department and ask them if they are. If so then you are calling the right people. If not they will let you know.

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M.O.

answers from Minneapolis on

I have worked in this field. Here is where I found this information...http://www.health.state.mn.us. I went to Main Categories and then to Policy, Economic and Legislation. Then I clicked on MDH rules and found Lodging. After reading these items I would conclude that you are correct in assuming they are code violations. If you are interested in filing a complaint the website has instructions on how to do it.

4625.1700 INSECT AND RODENT CONTROL.

Every hotel, motel, lodging house, and resort shall be so
constructed and equipped as to prevent the entrance, harborage, or breeding of flies, roaches, bedbugs, rats, mice, and all other insects and vermin, and specific means necessary, for the elimination of such pests such as cleaning, renovation, or fumigation shall be used. The commissioner may order the facility to hire an exterminator licensed by the state to exterminate pests when:

A. the infestation is so extensive that it is
unlikely that a nonprofessional can eradicate the pests
effectively; or
B. the extermination method of choice can only be
carried out by a licensed exterminator; or
C. upon reinspection, it is found that an
establishment has not been brought into compliance with a prior order to rid the establishment of pests.

4625.1000 BEDDING AND LINEN REQUIREMENTS.

All beds, bunks, cots, and other sleeping places provided for guests in hotels, motels, resorts, and lodging houses shall be supplied with suitable pillow slips and under and top sheets. All bedding including mattresses, quilts, blankets, pillows, sheets, spreads, and all bath linen shall be kept clean. No bedding including mattresses, quilts, blankets, pillows, bed and
bath linen shall be used which are worn out or unfit for further use. Pillow slips, sheets, and bath linen after being used by one guest shall be washed before they are used by another guest, a clean set being furnished each succeeding guest. For any guest occupying a guest room for an extended period of time, a fresh set of sheets and pillow slips shall furnished at least once each week, and at least two clean towels shall be furnished each day, except that the proprietor will not be responsible for the
sheets, towels, pillow slips, and bath linen furnished by a guest.

4625.1600 WASTE DISPOSAL.
Prior to removal, all garbage and refuse in storage shall be kept in watertight, nonabsorbent receptacles which are covered with close-fitting, fly-tight lids. All garbage, trash, and refuse shall be removed from the premises frequently to prevent nuisance and unsightly conditions, and shall be disposed of in a sanitary manner. All garbage receptacles shall be kept clean and in good repair

4626.0335 3-306.14 RETURNED FOOD; RESERVICE OR SALE.*

A. Except as specified in item B, after being served or sold and in the possession of a consumer, food that is unused or returned by the consumer shall not be offered as food for human consumption.

B. Food that is not potentially hazardous, including crackers and condiments, and that is in an unopened original package and maintained in sound condition may be re-served or resold.

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P.R.

answers from Bismarck on

I work for the Environmental Health Division in my city and YES, everything you mention is a health code violation. Very unacceptable, I would report it ASAP.
Pat R

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C.M.

answers from Sheboygan on

Dear C.,
You should make a report claim.
C. M.

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G.W.

answers from Bismarck on

I have worked in the hotel industry for years. All of the above is standard in all of the hotels I have worked at. That being said doesn't make it right, but it is like that everywhere I have worked. Well, I guess we didn't have mice. Everything else was standard. I think they skip the bags to save the environment and don't wash the comforters because it saves on water and you are really only touching the sheet, which should be washed everyday.

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A.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

Dear C.,

I commend you for taking a stand for the sake of health. You need to take it a step further, C., and report these uncaring and irresponsible people to the HEALTH DEPT., IMMEDIATELY. Please let us know what happens, and thanks for exposing the hotels creepy lack of good housekeeping standards. Yes I do feel these are health code violations.
A., in Minnesota

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R.W.

answers from Appleton on

Yes it is a health code.. An it seen more an more hotel are not keep there room clean. I travel all over U.S. for 15 years now an I can tell u scary story about motel. I also use to do cleaning for then.. Also the industural cleaner they use doesn'd work. I have had also had problem with my stuff coming up missing in last three motel I stay at.. I could go on..lol I believe the health department should start doing something about it. I been paying a 1000.00 a month room unclean an then then steal off of me while I,m there. I travel for work.. R.

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M.C.

answers from Minneapolis on

I would think so and for the safety of the customers I would report what you know. I'm not sure where you report such a thing though. I would also contact Fox 9 or another news station to do an investigation. They'll broadcast it for all to see on TV if it's juicy enough. You you mention can make people sick or contract a series disease. What if there is bodily fluid on the covers/sheets and the next person sleeps there and has a cut. The likeliness is slim but the risk is there. They had the investigators out whent they discovered that the cups were being wiped with dirty towels. That's just gross. May I ask what hotel so I know not to go there? It's like whenever I sleet at another hotel I'll need to bring my own everything and eat at a local place and not the hotel. Gross.

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J.P.

answers from Janesville-Beloit on

I don't know if these are in violation, but I wouldn't want to stay there! Where is it???

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D.M.

answers from Bismarck on

omgosh. What hotel is this as I want to be sure to never stay there. Make an anonymous call to the health dept. It is not fair or healthy to the partrons for these health hazards.

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E.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

The mice probably for sure, I would call the health department and they can tell you for sure if its a violation or not

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K.D.

answers from Waterloo on

C.,
You need to notify the health authorities right away. This is a serious violation towards the cosumer. Its easy to do, just file a complaint online in your state all information is annomous Not only is this happening in hotels its also happening in other areas of cosumer products. Sincerely, KM

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A.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

If you are even considering it, I would go ahead and do it. My husband reported the bar where he worked when he quit- their violations were a little less severe-but they were charged.
Any time there's food involved, it's a violation. Go for it!!

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S.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

Word of mouth is a great way to start. Where is this hotel, I never want to go there????!!!!

I would think there are some code violations. They should be reported.

But let us know.........first.

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L.L.

answers from Lincoln on

Report it. I just saw a story of many violations in a very "upscale" hotel. It is important for everyone's health to report these things.

L. :)

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L.M.

answers from Madison on

Why don't you call the Health Dept and ask them?

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P.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

When I worked in the hotel business years ago, I think this stuff was regular practice. The non-use of garbage cans is actually more "green" these days and the trash bins are washed out everynight by housekeeping. Healthcode violations...maybe, the mice...forsure. But, mice is not a violation if the hotel is currently taking steps to rid the problem. Yes...hotels are gross, but in my many visits to hotels over the years...this is standard practice.

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A.A.

answers from Iowa City on

Well, I can tell you that the garbages not having bags isn't and it is common practice in the hotel business not to wash blankets (makes you not want to stay in hotels, right?) and I don't believe that is a violation either. The cinnamon rolls I don't think would be considered a big deal although they should be covered if nothing else while they're out. The eggs and milk thing kind of bothers me, but I'm not sure what you mean by they're accessable....are they being chilled? That's really the important thing as far as the health code is concerned. Now the mice thing is kind of tricky. I assume that being a hotel, there is a restaurant on the first floor, or at least a kitchen of some sort, and that could be a health code violation if there is such an establishment on the floor with the mice. Now admittedly, this is really gross, but I'm not sure that the health department would even respond to something that "minor" in their eyes. If the hotel is with a chain (like motel 6, super 8, holiday inn, etc) then you would probably do more good contacting the corporate office and explaining your issues with the establishment. If it isn't then the health department would be the only way to go and I guess the real question is what are you trying to accomplish? I understand that you are disgusted by what you've seen, but this is the way things are in the hotel industry more often than you realize. If it's going to make it easier for you to sleep at night if you report it, then go for it. Just understand that it's hard to accomplish change and you may not get the results you were hoping for.

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E.J.

answers from Minneapolis on

The best thing to do I think is to contact the health dept in your state, or municipality. It's in the phone book in the blue pages. Then let them decide whether to inspect. And if others call in as well, even better. I think you can do it anonymosly. You could probably put this info on some hotel website that certainly would discourage future visitors.

Good Luck

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G.M.

answers from Madison on

Mice would be a good clue of something wrong. You can do what I did to a landlord that would not fix a broken window. I anonymously called the buliding inspector and they went throught the house. (Other things were wrong too). They don't ask for your name if you call and things will get fixed. So that is my advice call the Health Inspector's office and give them a Heads up. After all there are more employees/guests that there are Health inspectors. You can find the number in the phonebook. Good luck G.

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