Health and Safety Inspection FAQs
H&S Inspection FAQs
- Where can I find a list of
the prohibited items?
- A prohibited item was taken
from my room during a health and safety inspection. When/how can I get it
back?
- I know that halogen lamps
are prohibited. What kind of lamps can I have?
- Are extension cords allowed?
- I am just storing some prohibited
items in my room until I have time to send them home. Will they be confiscated?
- I have candles in my room for
decorative purposes only, but they have not been used or burned. Will they
be confiscated?
- Are coffee pots prohibited?
- Where am I allowed to have
cooking appliances?
- Will the inspectors enter
my room while I am present?
- Will the inspectors enter my
room while I am not at home?
- I am uncomfortable with
an inspector of the opposite gender performing an inspection in my room while
my roommate is away. Can I request an inspector of a different gender?
- Is there any screening process
for the inspectors?
- How will I know if an
inspection has occurred in my room while I was away?
- Will the inspectors go
through my personal belongings?
- Is there any way to file
a complaint against an inspector?
- My room was recently inspected
and I was cited for a violation. What will happen now?
- My room inspection receipt
indicated there were some maintenance problems in my room. Do I need to call
in a FIXIT Ticket for these issues?
- Who should I call if I
have questions about the health and safety inspections?
Q: Where can I find a list
of the prohibited items?
A: The most up to date prohibited items list is available in the RCCGs.
You can also review a list of the most frequently found prohibited items on
the Risk Management Health and Safety Inspections web page, entitled ‘List
of Prohibited Items.’
Back to top
Q: A prohibited item was taken
from my room during a health and safety inspection. When/how can I get it back?
A: Prohibited items will not be returned. All residents are required to read
and sign a housing agreement with the GW Housing Programs office. This agreement
explains the inspection process, as well as references the RCCGs.
Both documents explain that prohibited items will be confiscated and donated
or disposed of if found.
Back to top
Q: I know that halogen lamps
are prohibited. What kind of lamps can I have?
A: Both incandescent and fluorescent lamps are available in a number of style
and sizes. These lamps should provide sufficient lighting, as well as maintain
a much safer temperature level during long duration usage. For more information
on halogen lamps, please review the halogen
lamp education piece.
Back to top
Q: Are extension cords allowed?
A: Only surged protected extension cords are allowed in the residence halls.
Non-surge protected cords, multi-plugs, and splitters will result in a violation.
Refer to the University's Extension
Cord and Multi-Plug Power Strip Usage Policy for more information.
Back to top
Q: I am just storing some
prohibited items in my room until I have time to send them home. Will they be
confiscated?
A: Yes. Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine whether the item has been
or will be used. Prohibited items should not be in the room and should be sent
home immediately.
Back to top
Q: I have candles in my room
for decorative purposes only, but they have not been used or burned. Will they
be confiscated?
A: Yes. Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine whether the item will be
used in the future. All candles are prohibited.
Back to top
Q: Are coffee pots prohibited?
A: No. At this time, the University will allow students to have coffee pots
in their rooms. However, we strongly recommend auto-shutoff pots, or single
serving pots.
Back to top
Q: Where am I allowed to
have cooking appliances?
A: Cooking appliances are only allowed in designated cooking areas. Most students
who do not have designated kitchens in their units will have access to a common
kitchen. Appliances should be stored and used in these areas.
Back to top
Q: Will the inspectors enter
my room while I am present?
A: If an occupant is present, they are allowed several minutes to prepare for
the inspection. If a student verbally recognizes the inspector and grants permission,
the inspector will complete his work with the occupant present.
Back to top
Q: Will the inspectors enter
my room while I am not at home?
A: Yes. Due to the number of inspections which must be completed and the time
constraints of the semester year, the inspectors must maintain a strict schedule.
Inspectors are instructed to knock loudly several times and announce themselves
from outside. If no one answers the door, inspectors will key the door, enter
the room, and announce themselves again upon entry. If a student is found to
be unresponsive or will not cooperate with the inspector, the University Police
Department is called to assist.
Back to top
Q: I am uncomfortable with
an inspector of the opposite gender performing an inspection in my room while
my roommate is away. Can I request an inspector of a different gender?
A: Either male or female inspectors will be available upon request at the time
of the inspection.
Back to top
Q: Is there any screening
process for the inspectors?
A: Yes. All persons entering residence hall rooms for the purpose of conducting
health and safety inspections are put through a thorough background check before
they start.
Back to top
Q: How will I know if
an inspection has occurred in my room while I was away?
A: Health and Safety Inspections are completed on handheld computers. Inspectors
carry with them mobile printers and leave a paper receipt in each room. Only
one receipt is left per room, so roommates will be responsible for communicating
the information with fellow occupants.
Back to top
Q: Will the inspectors
go through my personal belongings?
A: No. At this time, inspection activities are limited to a visual assessment
of each space. If items that pose a substantial threat to person or property
are found, UPD and GW Housing Programs will be contacted and a thorough administrative
search will then be conducted.
Back to top
Q: Is there any way to
file a complaint against an inspector?
A: If you allege inappropriate action or behavior on the part of a health and
safety inspector, you can file a formal complaint with UPD. All complaints should
be filed immediately following the alleged misconduct.
Back to top
Q: My room was recently
inspected and I was cited for a violation. What will happen now?
A: All violations related to student behavior or activities are forwarded to
GW Housing Programs. Depending upon the severity of the violation, Housing Programs
and Student Judicial Services will follow up with the student appropriately.
Back to top
Q: My room inspection
receipt indicated there were some maintenance problems in my room. Do I need
to call in a FIXIT Ticket for these issues?
A: No. Any issues that do not indicate they are student responsibility will
be followed up by the appropriate University department. Facilities Management,
Residential Property Management, and GW Housing Programs all received daily
updates of the inspection process.
Back to top
Q: Who should I call if
I have questions about the health and safety inspections?
A: The GW Housing Programs office will receive and answer all questions regarding
the health and safety inspections. The help desk can be reached at (202) 994-2552.
Back to top
|
