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Public and Environmental Health

Guidelines for

Public

Accommodation

DEPARTMEN T OF HEALTH

Public and Environmental Health Guidelines for Public Accommodation – March 2016 Page 2

Department of Health is a Smoke Free Workplace

Disclaimer These Guidelines reflect the current state of infection control and communicable disease transmission knowledge, and while every effort has been made to ensure their accuracy, operators should be aware that they could be altered in the future to reflect changes in knowledge concerning transmission of disease.

Neither the Northern Territory Department of Health or any person involved in the preparation of these Guidelines accepts any liability in respect to the contents of these Guidelines nor any consequences arising from their use or representations made in relation to them.

Published by the Northern Territory Department of Health Environmental Health Branch.

Copyright This work is copyright. It may be reproduced in whole or in part for study or training purposes subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgement of the source and no commercial usage or sale.

© Copyright Northern Territory Department of Health 2014

Acknowledgements The Department of Health Environmental Health Branch acknowledges the following governments and agencies for information upon which these Guidelines are based:

• Government of Queensland, Queensland Health; and

• Brisbane City Council, Queensland.

Enquiries For enquiries on provisions relating to individual premises, please see the Department of Health Environmental Health contact details in Appendix 2 of these guidelines.

For general enquiries on these Guidelines, please contact Department of Health Environmental Health by emailing [email protected] or calling the environmental health hotline on 1800 095 646.

Document control

Version number 1 Date: June 2014 Status: Approved by Chief Health Officer

Minor Update - additional clarification regarding exemptions to room sizes.

Date: March 2016




Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 5

1.1 Purpose .................................................................................................................. 5

1.2 Target Audience ..................................................................................................... 5

1.3 Objectives ............................................................................................................... 5

1.4 Definitions ............................................................................................................... 6

1.5 Acronyms ................................................................................................................ 8

2.0 Legislation and Standards .......................................................................................... 8

2.1 Legislation .............................................................................................................. 8

2.2 Documents Adopted by Reference ....................................................................... 10

3.0 General Requirements ............................................................................................. 11

3.1 Public Health Registration ..................................................................................... 11

3.2 Record Keeping .................................................................................................... 11

3.3 Identification of bedrooms ..................................................................................... 11

3.4 Fire Appliances/Safety .......................................................................................... 11

4.0 Design and Construction Requirements ................................................................... 12

4.1 Minimum bedroom floor area ................................................................................ 12

4.2 Ceiling Height and Fan Safety .............................................................................. 12

4.3 Beds ..................................................................................................................... 13

4.4 Kitchen Facilities ................................................................................................... 13

4.5 Laundry and Drying Facilities ................................................................................ 13

4.6 Lighting ................................................................................................................. 14

4.7 Ablution facilities ................................................................................................... 14

4.8 Ventilation ............................................................................................................. 14

4.9 Legionella Control ................................................................................................. 14

5.0 General Sanitation & Operational Recommendations ............................................... 15

5.1 General Cleanliness and Maintenance .................................................................. 15

5.2 Clean linen and towels .......................................................................................... 15

5.3 Drinking water ....................................................................................................... 16

5.4 Continuous supply of water ................................................................................... 16

5.5 Storage Areas ....................................................................................................... 16

5.6 Sewage and Wastewater Disposal ........................................................................ 16

5.7 Swimming Pool and Spa Management ................................................................. 16

5.8 Garbage Disposal ................................................................................................. 16

5.9 Exclusion of Vermin .............................................................................................. 17




5.10 Mosquito Control ................................................................................................... 17

5.11 Animals ................................................................................................................. 17

5.12 Liquor Sales .......................................................................................................... 18

5.13 Tobacco Control ................................................................................................... 18

6.0 Safe Work Environment ............................................................................................ 19

6.1 Duty of Care.......................................................................................................... 19

6.2 First Aid ............................................................................................................... 19

Appendix One: Public Accommodation with Private Water Supplies ................................... 20

Private Water Supplies .................................................................................................... 20

Legislative Responsibilities .............................................................................................. 20

Testing Arrangements ..................................................................................................... 21

Appendix 2: DoH Environmental Health Contact Details ..................................................... 23




1.0 Introduction The Public and Environmental Health Guidelines for Public Accommodation seeks to reflect national best practice and provide a flexible and reasonable approach to the public health challenges in the Northern Territory visitor accommodation industry. By working in partnership with industry, business and other stakeholders to develop these Guidelines, the NT Department of Health (DoH) strives to provide industry a clear set of minimum public health requirements. The general recommendations outlined in these Guidelines were prepared on a risk assessment basis, which acknowledges two factors that are important public health determinants in the transmission of infectious disease:

• overcrowding; and

• sharing of facilities (such as kitchen, ablution and laundry facilities).

These Guidelines apply to businesses which can accommodate seven or more guests such as hotels, motels, serviced apartments operating as hotels, road houses, way-side inns, backpackers, staff and student accommodation.

The provisions contained within these Guidelines do not remove the need to comply with other laws of the Northern Territory specific to the operation of public accommodation.

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of these Guidelines is to ensure that businesses providing public accommodation are designed, constructed, operated and maintained to consistently high public and environmental health standards to minimise the risk of disease, injury and other health-related complaints.

1.2 Target Audience

The Guidelines are primarily aimed at operators and designers of public accommodation together with authorised officers and other agencies.

These Guidelines apply to all forms of public accommodation with specific requirements for Commercial Visitor Accommodation including:

• hotels and motels;

• roadhouses and wayside inns;

• serviced apartments operating as hotels;

• backpackers;

• lodges;

• hostels; and

• cabins used for short term holiday accommodation.

1.3 Objectives

The objectives of these Guidelines are to:

• meet community expectations of appropriate minimum health standards in public accommodation;

• provide guidance to prevent overcrowding;

• ensure design criteria are met which provides an acceptable standard of sanitation, amenity and safety for guests and staff; and




• prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

1.4 Definitions

Authorised Officer means a person appointed by the Chief Health Officer under the NT Public and Environmental Health Act 2011.

Bedroom means a room used for sleeping accommodation, which complies with these Guidelines.

Building has the same meaning as in the Northern Territory Building Act and includes a structure and a part of a building or structure.

Building Area has the same meaning as in the Northern Territory Building Act.

Building Classification has the same meaning as in the Building Code of Australia and this document relates to Buildings Classed 1(b), 3, 6 and 9(c).

Building Certifier has the same meaning as in the Northern Territory Building Act.

Building Permit means a permit to carry out building work issued by a building certifier in accordance with the Northern Territory Building Act.

Building work means work for or in connection with the construction, demolition or removal of a building or plumbing or drainage services, whether or not connected to a building.

Cabin means one or more single dwellings located on the premises used for short term holiday accommodation. Cabins should comply with the National Construction Code (NCC).

Commercial Visitor Accommodation means temporary accommodation provided at a place for payment or reward, and not subject to a tenancy agreement under the Residential Tenancies Act, a caravan park site agreement under the Caravan Parks Act, not located in a residential zoning and accommodating 7 or more visitors.

Examples of commercial visitor accommodation: A hotel, motel, serviced apartment, road house, wayside inn, lodge, backpacker's accommodation or hostel.

Commercial Visitor Accommodation does not include:

• construction and mining camps and designated staff accommodation quarters whether or not the accommodation is provided as part of a salary package;

• temporary crisis accommodation;

• group homes;

• student boarding accommodation;

• home based visitor accommodation

• camping grounds;

• caravan parks;

• accommodation where there is no resident caretaker on the premises, private, self-contained, holiday houses or apartments or private agreements between a householder and an individual paying rent for long term residence in the house;

• services that have funding agreements with a government agency, for example under funding or in premises owned by Aboriginal Hostels Limited;

• services regulated under other legislation, for example: o aged care service under the Aged Care Act 1997 (Commonwealth) o private hospital under the Private Hospitals Act




o prisons, detention, remand, sobering up, rehabilitation and special care facilities under relevant legislation.

Construct has the same meaning as in the Northern Territory Building Act.

Construct, in relation to a building includes:

• build, re-build, erect or re-erect the building;

• repair the building;

• make alterations to the building;

• enlarge or extend the building; and

• place or relocate the building on land.

Dwelling means a building, or part of a building, designed, constructed or adapted as a self-contained residence. This type of building is Class 1(a) within the terms of the NCC.

Enforcement Agency means an enforcement agency prescribed by the Public and Environmental Health Act for the purposes of enforcement of the Act.

Floor area in relation to a room, means the area of the room measured within the finished surfaces of the walls, and includes the area occupied by any cupboard or other built-in furniture, fixture or fitting. It does not include the floor area of an ensuite but may include the area taken up by a bed.

Habitable room has the same meaning as in the NCC and

(a) includes a bedroom, living room, lounge room, music room, television room, kitchen, dining room, sewing room, study, playroom, family room, home theatre and sun room; but

(b) excludes a bathroom, laundry, water closet, pantry, walk-in wardrobe, corridor, hallway, lobby, photographic darkroom, clothes-drying room, and other spaces of a specialised nature occupied neither frequently nor for extended periods.

Holiday letting accommodation means private rental or self-catered holiday let accommodation such as independent units, residential houses or detached dwellings which are solely occupied by one family or party.

Home based visitor accommodation means temporary accommodation provided on the premises of a dwelling for no more than six guests by the resident of that dwelling, as a commercial enterprise for persons away from their normal place of residence but does not include a hostel.

National Construction Code means the National Construction Code of Australia and comprises the Building Code of Australia (BCA), Volume One and Two; and the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA), as Volume Three

Non-habitable building or structure has the same meaning as in the BCA and is a private garage, carport, shed, or the like. Such buildings are Class 10(a) and cannot be used for either private or commercial accommodation.

Occupancy permit means a permit to occupy issued by a registered Building Certifier in accordance with the Northern Territory Building Act.

Premises includes:

• tract of land whether built on, vacant, or not;




• a house or building or part of a house or building with the grounds, etc., belonging to it;

• a structure or part of a structure whether temporary or permanent;

• a pontoon; and

• vehicles.

Proprietor means a person who is the owner of the business, or the person carrying on the business of letting public accommodation on behalf of the owner, or if that person cannot be identified, the person in charge of the public accommodation business.

Public accommodation means accommodation which can accommodate more than seven guests, provided for payment or reward and not subject to a tenancy agreement under the Residential Tenancies Act, or a caravan park site agreement under the Caravan Parks Act.

Examples of public accommodation: A hotel, motel, staff accommodation, student accommodation, backpacker's accommodation, mining camp or hostel.

Public accommodation does not include:

• Holiday letting accommodation

• Home based accommodation

Register means a record of occupancy for the Commercial Visitor Accommodation business. It can be in hard copy form or in electronic form.

Residential Visitor Accommodation means temporary visitor accommodation provided in a class 1a building within the terms of the NCC and where there is a private rental agreement (or similar) in place. For example, home based visitor accommodation and holiday let accommodation.

1.5 Acronyms

To assist in using these Guidelines, please refer to the acronym quick guide below:

AS/NZS Australian Standard/New Zealand Standard

NCC National Construction Code

CHO Chief Health Officer

DoH Department of Health

NHMRC National Health and Medical Research Council

NT Northern Territory

2.0 Legislation and Standards

2.1 Legislation

Under the Public and Environmental Health Act 2011 all public accommodation must be maintained in a good state of repair and in a clean and sanitary condition so as not to cause a public health nuisance.




In addition, Commercial Visitor Accommodation businesses are required to be registered with the Department of Health and meet the other requirements of Part 3 of the Public and Environmental Health Regulations 2014.




2.2 Documents Adopted by Reference

• National Construction Code (NCC)

• Australian and New Zealand Standards: o AS 4674:2004 Construction and fitout of food premises; o AS/NZS 4220:2010 Bunk Beds and other elevated beds; o AS/NZS 2195:2010 Folding Cots – safety requirements; o AS/NZS 2172:2010 Cots for household use – safety requirements; o AS/NZS 1668.2:2002: The use of ventilation and air conditioning in buildings; o AS/NZS 3666.1:2002 Air handling and water systems of buildings - microbial

control – design, installation and commissioning; o AS/NZS 4146:2000 Laundry Practice; o AS 1680.1:2006 – Interior lighting – General principles and recommendations;

and o AS 1926.1:2007 Swimming pool safety – safety barriers for swimming pools.

• Australia and New Zealand Food Standard Code

• Standards Australia Handbook, Bunk beds for the short-term rental accommodation industry

• National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011

• Queensland Development Code: Residential Services Building Standard 2002

• Queensland Local Law Accommodation Code of Practice 1999 and Brisbane City Council’s Accommodation Information Kit have been widely sourced in These document.

• NT Code of Practice for Small On-Site Wastewater Management

Note: Northern Territory legislation and supporting documents, the National Construction Code and the Australian and New Zealand Standards are widely referenced in these Guidelines. Only their most recent version and amendments are to be used as source documents.




3.0 General Requirements

3.1 Public Health Registration

Commercial Visitor Accommodation businesses in the Northern Territory are required to be registered within the terms of the Public and Environmental Health Regulations 2014. An annual registration fee will be payable for registration. Registration is not transferable.

This registration does not remove the requirement to obtain approval from or comply with the requirements of other agencies in the conduct of Commercial Visitor Accommodation businesses e.g. fire safety requirements.

3.2 Record Keeping

It is the responsibility of the proprietor of public accommodation business to keep specified documents on site.

Where applicable, the following should be made available for view during an inspection by an authorised officer:

• a current Certificate of Registration issued by DoH;

• emergency and after hours contact details. These should be available to guests at all times;

• an up to date register (electronic or hard copy) of all guests on the premises;

• copies of pest control reports, cleaning schedules and food safety plans where they are in use;

• swimming and spa pool monitoring results, and management plans where appropriate;

• records of cooling tower and/or evaporative cooler monitoring and maintenance to comply with Australian Standard 3666;

• details of any on-site wastewater system or wastewater treatment plant including any maintenance plan and inspection schedule; and

• records of water quality analysis.

3.3 Identification of bedrooms

All bedrooms in public accommodation should be appropriately numbered or identified.

3.4 Fire Appliances/Safety

NT Fire and Rescue Service have specific fire safety requirements in public accommodation which are designed to save lives and should be complied with at all times .

Note: Further information on NT Fire and Rescue Service’s Community Fire Safety requirements can be found at: http://pfes.nt.gov.au/Fire-and-Rescue/Community-fire-safety.aspx




4.0 Design and Construction Requirements A minimum standard of comfort, cleanliness and safety should be incorporated into the design of public accommodation businesses and should be maintained.

4.1 Minimum bedroom floor area

In order to minimise risks to health and safety proprietors of public accommodation must ensure that accommodation is not overcrowded. It is recommended that the room sizes detailed in the table below are met.

A proprietor of a Commercial Visitor Accommodation Business must not permit a room to be used as a bedroom if it has a floor area of less than 7·5 square metres. The floor area includes the area occupied by any cupboard or other built-in furniture, fixture or fitting but does not include any area occupied by any bathroom or toilet in, or attached to, the bedroom. The following minimum bedroom floor area dimensions should be met.

People Permitted Minimum Room Size (m²)

1-2 7.5

3 12

4 16

5 20

6 24

7 28

8 or more 32

(add 4m² for every extra person)

Table 1: People permitted to minimum room size (m2)

Note: For the purposes of this regulation, one child under the age of 3 years is not counted as a person and two children under the age of 3 years are counted as one person.

In the event that a Commercial Visitor Accommodation business does not meet minimum room sizes the proprietor may apply to the Chief Health Officer to be exempted from this requirement. A reduced person to floor area ratio may be considered where bunk beds are used. Smaller room sizes may also be appropriate where businesses accommodate youth, student or family groups, provide an organised program of activities and where the groups have ready access to a range of other amenities such as a recreation area, kitchen and dining room. Similarly, smaller bedrooms may be suitable in cabin style accommodation where visitors also have access to a kitchen and living area.

4.2 Ceiling Height and Fan Safety

In all public health accommodation bunk beds and other elevated beds must comply with the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZ 4220:2010 Bunk Beds and Other Elevated Beds.

In order to meet this Standard a safe distance should be provided between floor and ceiling fans as well as any ceiling fan and bunk bed. The upper bunk should be at least 2m from any ceiling fan at its closest point. Ceiling fans pose a potential safety risk and correct




positioning is extremely important. Where there is insufficient space from any bed to the ceiling, fans should be wall mounted and encased by a safety cage.

4.3 Beds

It is recommended that public accommodation have:

• a minimum bed size of 800mm x 1900mm;

• bunks fitted with safety rails and complying with AS/NZS 4220: 2010, Bunk Beds and other elevated beds;

• bunks that comply with the Standards Australia Handbook, Bunk beds for the short-term rental accommodation industry;

• where cots are supplied they should comply with AS/NZS 2195: 1999: Folding Cots; or AS/NZS 2172:2010, Cots for household use – safety requirements; and

• all beds, bunks, cots including their frames and mattresses should be kept clean and free from any insect pests. They should be easy to clean, designed and positioned in such a manner that will enable housekeeping staff to clean around and under them.

4.4 Kitchen Facilities

Public accommodation may provide food for paying guests or provide facilities for guests to self-cater.

The construction standard required and the facilities provided will vary on the expected numbers of people using the facility and the classification of the building.

Where there is a commercial kitchen on the premises it, and any storage areas, cool rooms etc. will be separately classified as Class 6 in keeping with requirements of the NCC. Class 6 buildings and parts of buildings will be constructed, approved and regulated within the terms of the NT Food Act. All such businesses should apply to DoH for Registration as a Food Business.

Where self-catering facilities are provided in bedrooms or in small kitchenettes as part of a serviced apartment they are to be designed and constructed to provide an environment that is suitable and safe for the preparation of food. These facilities should include:

• a sink with drainer and hot and cold running water provided through a single outlet;

• refrigeration and food storage space that is clean and free from access by vermin or insect pests;

• appropriate utensils and equipment which is clean and in good order; and

• appropriate cooking equipment such as microwave ovens, toasters, small hobs which are clean and in good working order.

Facilities provided for guests to make snacks in their rooms should be so constructed to enable kettles to be filled safely and for dishes to be washed.

4.5 Laundry and Drying Facilities

Adequate and conveniently located washing and drying facilities should be provided for guests staying in public accommodation. Commercial laundries will be constructed and managed within the terms of Australian Standard AS/NZ 4146:2000 – Laundry Practice, where applicable to the size and type of premises.




Where a guest laundry is not provided there should be a laundry collection and return service provided.

4.6 Lighting

Adequate lighting should be provided. It should be positioned so as not create a nuisance to guests or neighbours. Proprietors of public accommodation should:

• comply with the NCC Part F4 and AS 1680.1-2006: Interior and workplace lighting - General principles and recommendations; and

• provide lighting in the hours of darkness for paths of travel to ablution, laundry and other facilities used by guests where appropriate.

4.7 Ablution facilities

Public accommodation businesses must provide a minimum number and standard of ablution facilities for both sexes in accordance with NCC Part F2 Sanitary and Other Facilities or as directed by the Chief Health Officer. Guests should have either an ensuite or access to shared facilities which include toilets, hand wash basins and baths or showers.

4.8 Ventilation

Sufficient ventilation should be provided for guests. Public accommodation businesses must either have:

• natural ventilation complying with NCC Part F4; or

• comply with AS1668.2-2002: The use of ventilation and air conditioning in buildings and AS/NZS 3666.1:2002 Air handling and water systems of buildings - microbial control – design, installation and commissioning and NCC Part F4.

In addition, air conditioning units (and heating units) should be:

• regularly serviced; and

• located in such a position not to cause a noise nuisance to adjoining properties.

4.9 Legionella Control

Public accommodation businesses should comply with Australian Standard 3666 Parts 1, 2 and 3 and any relevant Northern Territory documents.




5.0 General Sanitation & Operational Recommendations

5.1 General Cleanliness and Maintenance

All areas of public accommodation businesses should be maintained in good repair, in a sound working condition, and in compliance with the structural requirements described in these Guidelines.

All parts of the premises should be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, free of litter and vermin, so as to prevent the transmission of infectious and communicable disease.

The following parts of the premises will need to be kept clean:

• fire exits • stairs

• kitchen equipment • paintwork

• staff facilities • cladding

• grounds • screens to openings

• garbage storage areas • woodwork, floor covering

• structure • furniture, fittings

• walls, floors, ceilings • windows, doors

• roof • linen

• tiling • all equipment supplied for guest use

Note: Where DoH has approved a cleaning schedule for the premises, satisfactory compliance with the terms of the schedule will be considered as complying with the requirements of the Public and Environmental Health Act.

It is important to recognise that storage of goods within stairwells, on landings, adjacent to fire stair doors and in the area to which the stair leads has the potential to endanger life.

5.2 Clean linen and towels

Commercial Visitor Accommodation businesses must provide clean linen and towels for each guest, which is changed at least on a weekly basis and before a room is reused by another guest.

In all public accommodation, where linen is supplied, it is recommended that:

• all beds be made up with a clean pillowcase, bottom and a top sheet and a clean mattress protector;

• linen and towels be laundered in accordance with AS/NZS 4146:2000 Laundry Practice; and

• where appropriate, accessible warm bedding be provided.

It is permissible for guests to supply their own linen.




5.3 Drinking water

Public accommodation businesses must make drinking water freely available to guests. If the drinking water is supplied from a private water supply it must be fit for human consumption and meet the requirements of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) ‘Australian Drinking Water Guidelines’.

An annual chemical and microbiological water analysis will need to be undertaken by businesses with a private water supply (See Appendix One for further information).

5.4 Continuous supply of water

Public accommodation businesses must have a continuous and adequate supply of water to all ablution, bathing, kitchen and laundry facilities. For bathing, laundry and kitchen facilities, a continuous and adequately supply of hot water should also be provided.

5.5 Storage Areas

Adequate storage facilities should be provided by public accommodation businesses.

It is important to ensure that:

• chemicals, maintenance facilities and equipment are secured;

• chemical storage areas are protected from the elements, are well ventilated and located away from food preparation or food storage areas;

• adequate storage is provided for linen, blankets, pillows and towels; and

• secure and adequate storage is provided for the personal possessions of guests.

5.6 Sewage and Wastewater Disposal

Sewage and wastewater should be discharged to the sewer or to an on-site wastewater system.

Public accommodation businesses must have:

• a connection to mains sewerage; or • an on-site wastewater system that complies with Public and Environmental Health

Regulations 2014.

5.7 Swimming Pool and Spa Management

All pools in premises will be maintained in a sanitary condition at all times.

Public accommodation businesses need to comply with:

• the Northern Territory Public Health Guidelines for Aquatic Facilities; and

• AS1926.1- 2007 Swimming pool safety – Safety barriers for swimming pools and

amendments.

5.8 Garbage Disposal

Waste should be collected regularly and not accumulate on-site.

Public accommodation businesses must have:




• a waste collection system operated by the relevant authority or a contractor and documented as part of the business record keeping;

• garbage collection receptacles and recycling areas maintained in a sanitary condition; and

• suitable facilities for washing and disinfecting garbage storage containers.

Note: No on-site disposal is permitted unless authorised by the Chief Health Officer.

5.9 Exclusion of Vermin

Public accommodation businesses should:

• be kept free of vermin;

• the premises should be inspected by a licensed pest control operator at 12 monthly intervals or as directed by an authorised officer;

• have a pest control program in place for the premises to demonstrate what has been done to control pests; and

• have records of pest control inspections and treatments on site for inspection by an authorised officer.

5.10 Mosquito Control

Public accommodation businesses should:

• ensure that all indoor areas including bedrooms, internal bathrooms, internal communal areas and kitchens are maintained to prevent ingress of insects including flies and mosquitoes;

• ensure that no ornamental or man-made water feature is allowed to become a breeding site for mosquitoes; and

• comply with the mosquito control provisions of the Public and Environmental Health Regulations 2014

Note: The prevalence of mosquitoes in the NT is due to many factors such as climatic conditions and the time of the day/year. The intention of this section is for proprietors to ensure that guests have minimal exposure to mosquito borne disease. This can be achieved by providing mosquito proofing to areas of the premises that have a high usage by patrons. Premises design should also incorporate features that offer minimal opportunities for mosquito breeding. Habitable rooms and bathrooms can be both enclosed and provided with mechanical ventilation or be provided with insect screening.

5.11 Animals

No animals, except for Guide dogs accompanying hearing or sight-impaired guests should be allowed inside a public accommodation business.

An exception to this is where businesses wish to establish “pet friendly” operations. These premises will be assessed on a case by case basis by an authorised officer and will be subject to additional planning controls and approval.




5.12 Liquor Sales

Any person or business wishing to sell or permit the consumption of alcohol should apply for a Liquor Licence to the Licensing Commission, Department of Attorney General and Justice.

5.13 Tobacco Control

Areas where smoking is permitted in shared accommodation are restricted. A proprietor will need to comply with the Tobacco Control Act and Regulations.

Note: Further information on Northern Territory’s Tobacco legislation can be found at: http://www.health.nt.gov.au/




6.0 Safe Work Environment

6.1 Duty of Care

A person conducting a business has a duty to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that workers and others are not exposed to health or safety risks in the workplace environment.

Note: Further information on Northern Territory’s Work Health and Safety legislation can be found at: http://www.worksafe.nt.gov.au/

To assist in creating safe public accommodation workplace environments:

• workers should ensure that they are familiar with safe working practices;

• persons conducting a business should provide adequate levels of training to workers to ensure safe working practices; and

• if a person conducting a business believes that a worker or guest may be unwell, he/she should recommend that the person seek medical advice as soon as reasonably practicable.

6.2 First Aid

Persons conducting a business should:

• provide first aid equipment and ensure each worker at the workplace has access to the equipment;

• ensure access to facilities for the administration of first aid; and

• ensure that an adequate number of workers are trained to administer first aid at the workplace or that workers have access to an adequate number of other people who have been trained to administer first aid.

Note: Further information on workplace first aid requirements is accessible from: http://www.worksafe.nt.gov.au/Publications/Code%20of%20Practice/first_aid_cop.pdf




Appendix One: Public Accommodation with Private Water Supplies

Private Water Supplies

Private water supplies are any supplies which provide drinking water to the public from an independent source. This includes water pumped from rivers and creeks, rainwater and groundwater from bores. Proprietors of public accommodation must ensure that drinking water provided to their clients, guests and staff is safe.

Legislative Responsibilities

Water supplied for drinking and cooking purposes should comply with the 2011 National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) ‘Australian Drinking Water Guidelines’ (ADWG). Untreated water from private supplies may contain microbiological or chemical contamination that may not be detectable by taste or smell.

As a minimum the Department of Health requires proprietors of public accommodation businesses with private water supplies to arrange for an annual certified analysis of a water sample taken from the kitchen tap, or other relevant source showing

• no detections of E. coli in 100 mL of water;

In addition, to ensure the water meets the 2011 ADWG health guidelines for selected chemical parameters

• nitrate, nitrite and fluoride concentrations should be monitored; and • selected metals, as detailed in Table 2.

If the selected metals, nitrite, nitrate and fluoride concentrations are below health thresholds repeat chemical and metal samples will only be necessary every five years.

If any parameters are above the health guideline values, or if E. coli bacteria are detected, a health risk assessment will be conducted and the Department of Health will advise the proprietor of any actions that should be undertaken.

Alternatively a statutory declaration stating that bottled water is provided to guests for drinking, and clear signage is provided adjacent to the water taps in rooms indicating that the water is not suitable for drinking may be signed and submitted to the Department of Health.




Metal Analysis for Drinking Water Supplies:

METAL SYMBOL ADWG

Health Threshold UNITS

Silver Ag 100 µg/L

Aluminium Al N/A

Arsenic As 10 µg/L

Boron B 4 mg/L

Barium Ba 2 mg/L

Beryllium Be 60 µg/L

Bromine Br N/A

Cadmium Cd 2 µg/L

Chromium Cr 50 µg/L

Copper Cu 2 mg/L

Iron Fe N/A

Mercury Hg 1 µg/L

Iodine I N/A

Manganese Mn 500 µg/L

Molybdenum Mo 50 µg/L

Nickel Ni 20 µg/L

Lead Pb 10 µg/L

Antinomy Sb 3 µg/L

Selenium Se 10 µg/L

Tin Sn N/A µg/L

Uranium U 17 µg/L

Zinc Zn N/A

Table 2: Metal Analysis for Drinking Water Supplies

Testing Arrangements

Water can be tested for microbiological quality by any laboratory accredited to do so, however to simplify this task, arrangements have been made with the NTG Water Microbiology Laboratories at Berrimah and Alice Springs to provide analytical services. These laboratories can be contacted on the telephone numbers below to arrange for the supply of sterile prepared sample bottles, provide advice on how to collect a water sample and to advise on the best delivery method and time. The owner of the water supply will need to meet the costs for testing of the samples.




Alice Springs – Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries - located at Arid Zone Research Institute, phone (08) 8951 8110

Darwin – Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries - located at Berrimah Farm, phone (08) 8999 2347

Water testing for chemicals and metals can also be carried out by any laboratory accredited to do so. In the Northern Territory the only lab accredited for both chemical and metal water analysis is:

Northern Territory Environmental Laboratories Pty Ltd (NTEL) - located at Darwin Business Park Berrimah, phone (08) 8947 0510

Check with the laboratory first to find out how to collect and transport your water sample to the laboratory.




Appendix 2: DoH Environmental Health Contact Details Top End

2nd Floor Casuarina Plaza

258 Trower Rd

CASUARINA

PO Box 40596

CASUARINA NT 0811

Ph: 8922 7377

Fax: 8922 7036

Barkly

Health Development Building

Cnr Schmidt & Windley Sts

TENNANT CREEK

PO Box 346

TENNANT CREEK NT 0861

Ph: 8962 4302

Fax: 8962 4420

Central Australia

Peter Sitzler Building

67 Stuart Highway

ALICE SPRINGS NT 0870

PO BOX 721

ALICE SPRINGS 0871

Ph: 895 56122

Fax: 8952 5927

Katherine

Ground Floor

O’Keefe House

KATHERINE

PMB 73

KATHERINE NT 0851

Ph: 8973 9062

Ph: 8973 9061

Fax: 8973 9063

East Arnhem

Community Health Building

Endeavour Square

NHULUNBUY NT 0881

Ph: 8987 0441

Fax: 8987 0444