temperature control of potentially hazardous food and to the sanitary practices of
employees, particularly hand-washing.
4-10. SPECIAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLIC USE FACILITIES
a. As previously mentioned, these public use facilities vary, which will present
unique and special problems. The inspector must be aware of these problems. For
example, gymnasiums and bowling alleys frequently have shoes available for public
use. This could be a means for transmitting fungal diseases such as athlete's foot.
However, it is not necessary to sanitize the shoes after use by each patron. Instead,
check to see that foot powder is used and that the shoes are kept in a dry environment.
This inhibits fungus growth and makes sanitization unnecessary. When inspecting
parks and other outdoor recreational areas, examine the area for poisonous or noxious
weeds and for any features that could be hazardous to the public. This would include
water sources, sewage, and waste disposal.
b. The variability of public use facilities and the lack of written or formal
standards present a challenge to the inspector. You are dealing with a "grey area" and
must have thorough knowledge of sanitation and the specific facility undergoing the
inspection in order to make accurate judgments.
Section II. FAMILY HOUSING
4-11. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR FAMILY HOUSING INSPECTIONS
a. Health standards for public housing are not covered in Army regulations. In
fact, family housing issues are usually handled by Family Housing Services. Some
posts may specify local health standards but this is not common.
b. Family housing inspections frequently result from complaints; normally an
officer, not a 91S, responds to these complaints. An environmental health specialist
(91S) usually gets involved in family housing problems when alone at a post. It is a
good idea for the first sergeant of the individual possessing the house to be present
when the environmental health specialist inspects the premises. This is done to
establish regular military protocol and chain of command. Remember that the unit
commander is responsible for overall sanitation and safety of his soldiers. Serious
sanitation problems involving housing should be directed to the commander's attention.
4-12. PURPOSE OF FAMILY HOUSING INSPECTIONS
a. The basic goal of family housing inspections is to discover situations that are
public health or safety hazards. A dirty or messy house or a house with many animals,
for example, is not a public health hazard. Keeping large numbers of animals with
animal fecal matter and waste on the floor could constitute a health hazard. Likewise,
MD0166
4-5