We live in a rural area in Calcasieu Parish north of Moss Bluff. There is a home out here that has been running a generator to power their home since September 2014. It runs almost non-stop.

Is there an ordinance of some kind that prevents this, such as a 10 o’clock curfew on making noise? I can understand the use of a generator for emergency use, but not for continuous use to power the home. For whatever reason they do not have electrical power and have not had it since 9/2014.

The National Electrical Code, the parish’s official electrical code, doesn’t prohibit residents from using generators to power their homes, said Wes Crain, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury’s planning director.

“In most cases it refers to generator power as an alternate power, but Section 90.2 (A) (3) of the NEC states in part, ‘Where the source of supply is not the service utility company, the source may be a generator, a battery system, a solar photovoltaic system, a fuel cell, a wind turbine or a combination of those sources,’ ” Crain wrote in an email.

“Keep in mind, a Calcasieu Parish electrical permit is required for all electrical service connections to residential, commercial and industrial uses.”

As for the noise, Section 18-96 of the parish code prohibits people from making or causing “any loud, unnecessary or excessive noise which unreasonably interferes with the comfort and repose of others within the jurisdiction of the parish.”

Crain said the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office enforces the noise provision.

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Online: www.cppj.net.

Gloves not required by La. sanitary code

Are all food service workers required to wear hairnets and gloves when preparing food? To whom do you report violations?

Under state health regulations, workers who handle food must wear “hair restraints such as hats, hair coverings or nets, beard restraints, and clothing that covers body hair.” But no rule requires them to wear gloves.

From the state’s sanitary code, which can be found in Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51:

“Employees shall thoroughly wash their hands and exposed portions of their arms with soap and warm water before starting work, before applying gloves, during work as often as necessary to keep them clean, and after smoking, using tobacco, eating, drinking, coughing, sneezing, handling raw food, using the toilet.”

“Employees shall keep their fingernails clean and trimmed not to exceed the end of the fingertip. An employee shall not wear nail polish, long, or artificial fingernails when working with exposed food unless wearing intact gloves in good repair.”

“Employees may not wear jewelry on their arms and hands while preparing food. This does not apply to a plain ring such as a wedding band.”

“Employees experiencing persistent sneezing, coughing or a runny nose may not work with exposed food, equipment, utensils or other items needing protection.”

To report violations of the sanitary code, call your parish health unit: Allen, 318-335-1147; Beauregard, 337-463-4486; Calcasieu, 337-478-6020; Cameron, 337-775-5368; and Jeff Davis, 337-824-2193.

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Online: http://eatsafe.louisiana.gov.

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The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.