Let WLA Know If Questions Arise on a Department of Health Inspection
It happens time and again: Department of Health inspectors reach beyond existing codes to tell lodging owners and operators to do something that isn’t required under existing rules for transient accommodations. If this happens at your property, or an inspector says something that just doesn’t seem right, be sure to let WLA know.
As soon as we hear from one of our members about an inspection issue, we follow up with DOH to make sure the inspector is following the rules as they are written, not as he or she thinks they should read. Here are a few examples of overreach that WLA has successfully addressed:
A hotelier was told that she now needs to have carbon monoxide alarms in every guestroom.
Not true. Thanks to WLA’s grassroots initiative to secure sensible building codes for transient accommodations, alarms are only required in guestrooms where there is a possibility of exposure to carbon monoxide. Find details on CO alarm requirements here.
An operator of a flagged property was told he’d have to wash leather-covered ice buckets in an industrial dishwasher.
Not true.WLA has worked to ensure that transient accommodations regulations governing our industry specify end results and do not spell out the steps to achieve those results. Licensees have the responsibility and the autonomy to deliver end results in a manner that is fitting to their business practice. For example, ice buckets must be sanitary, but how they are cleaned is not up to an inspector.
Hoteliers reported that DOH inspectors were demanding access to rented guestrooms for routine inspections.
Not allowed. WLA challenged DOH’s contention that existing code allows for access to rented guestrooms and secured an opinion from then Attorney General Rob McKenna noting that DOH inspectors do not have the statutory authority to enter and inspect occupied or rented units. Read the AG’s letter here.
WLA continues to challenge subjective code interpretations like these and was the driving force behind new procedures that require inspectors to submit all citations for review by the head of transient accommodations. This step should reduce the number of unwarranted citations, but please don’t wait for a citation to arrive in the mail to call. Let us know right away about comments by inspectors that suggest there may be a problem or a citation pending.
We are here to fight for our members and our industry on regulatory issues, and we rely on members like you to inform of us when something doesn’t seem right. Be sure to call WLA toll-free at 877-906-1001 or send an email if you have any concerns at all about a DOH inspection.