(1) Environmental factors include any conditions at the facility that are
potential health hazards. Unsanitary and unsafe equipment, surroundings, and
practices are prime examples of environmental factors uncovered during an inspection.
(2) Disease prevalence refers to the occurrence of disease among personnel
at a facility. A thorough sanitary investigation should determine if anyone is ill at the
facility and the factors relating to the illness.
(3) Military requirements are the regulations and specifications established
by the Army for different facilities. Sanitary surveys and inspections should determine if
these regulations are being followed.
c. In addition to detecting basic sanitary and safety defects, surveys and
inspections can be used as educational instruments. Inspectors observe personnel as
they perform their duties and note any defective practices. Personnel can then be
instructed in correct and sanitary methods.
1-3.
AUTHORITY FOR CONDUCTING SANITARY SURVEYS AND INSPECTIONS
a. Command Authority. The post commander is responsible for all aspects of
sanitation at the post. The U.S. Army Medical Department (AMEDD) inspector
conducts sanitary inspections and recommends corrections for any problems found
during the inspection. The commander and the AMEDD inspector work together to
ensure that post facilities meet sanitary standards. The AMEDD representative acts as
the eyes of the commander by making the commander and his staff aware of sanitary
defects. The commander then assigns various staff members the responsibility for
carrying out corrections.
b. Army Regulation 40-5. Army Regulation (AR 40-5) is the basic reference for
Army preventive medicine, including sanitary surveys and inspections. It outlines the
chain of command for conducting inspections and sets basic standards for equipment
and operations at various facilities. These standards serve as guidelines for items to be
checked during sanitary surveys and inspections.
c. Local Regulations, Standing Operating Procedures (SOP), Directives. In
addition to general Army Regulations, a post may have local directives or orders that
prescribe certain sanitary and safety procedures. The inspector should be aware of
these local regulations and, during the inspection, determine if they are being followed.
1-4.
ROLE OF THE SPECIALIST IN SANITARY SURVEYS AND INSPECTIONS
The AMEDD, under the leadership of The Surgeon General (TSG), delegates
authority to the personnel conducting a sanitary survey or inspection. The preventive
medicine specialist (MOS 91S) participating in an inspection represents AMEDD and his
performance reflects on the AMEDD. Because of this, the preventive medicine
specialist must have comprehensive knowledge of regulations governing sanitation and
MD0164
1-3
Previous Page
