[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of
the Town of Standish 11-13-1990 as Order No. 126-90. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Amended 2-12-2008 by Order No. 158-07]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish
the policy of the Town of Standish for managing infectious disease
issues as they relate to employees, volunteers and/or prospective
employees, including but not limited to the following diseases: HIV,
chicken pox, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, impetigo, measles,
mumps. pertussis and parasitic infections.
A.
It is the policy of the Town to assure to the extent
possible a safe and healthful work environment.
B.
It is also the policy of the Town to ensure full compliance
with state, federal and local requirements dealing with infectious
diseases.
C.
Town procedures shall comply with the Center for Disease
Control recommendations for specific infectious diseases. These recommendations
will be available through the Town Office.
D.
It is the obligation of all town employees/volunteers
to take all reasonable precautions to protect themselves, coworkers,
clients and the public from infectious diseases.
A.
The town will not discriminate against employees and/or
prospective employees with infectious diseases who are otherwise qualified
to perform their job functions with reasonable accommodation. Employees
with infectious diseases will be treated under existing policies,
state, federal and local requirements and collective bargaining agreements.
B.
Where allowed by law, the town retains the right to
test employees for infectious diseases.
C.
The town must maintain confidentiality regarding an
employee's health status and does not have a duty to inform other
individuals or organizations unless required by law.
D.
Upon medical confirmation of an infectious disease
that may be a threat to public health, the affected employee has the
responsibility to notify the Town Manager and to carry out his/her
assigned duties if reasonable accommodations can be made.
[Amended 2-12-2008 by Order No. 158-07]
E.
Upon notification by an employee that an infectious
disease diagnosis has been confirmed which is a threat to the public
health, the Town Manger will:
[Amended 2-12-2008 by Order No. 158-07]
(1)
Secure, if possible, all appropriate releases for
information from the employee and notify, in writing, those individuals
for whom those releases have been acquired.
(2)
Assist in the identification of reasonable accommodations
to be made, if any.
(3)
Assist individual departments, if necessary, in complying
with this policy.
F.
The town will treat all occupational infectious disease
injuries or illnesses according to state law.
G.
The town will provide for its employees appropriate
educational opportunities and current informational material on infectious
disease issues, including but not limited to prevention, protection,
control measures and treatment practices.
H.
[1]Failure to adhere to this chapter will result in discipline
as designated in accordance with Town administrative regulations.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection H., which
provided for the right of individual departments to develop protocols
regarding infectious disease control, was repealed 2-12-2008 by Order
No. 158-07. Said order also provided for the redesignation of former
Subsection I as Subsection H.
Exposure to a used, contaminated needle places
an employee at risk for contracting an infectious disease. In the
event of an accidental puncture with a contaminated needle, the procedure
is as follows:
A.
Wash the puncture site thoroughly with soap/disinfectant
and water.
B.
Report the incident to your supervisor/superior.
C.
Rescue personnel must notify the medical facility
receiving the patient of the incident.
D.
Complete incident and/or worker's compensation form.
E.
Establish your potential exposure risk to infectious
disease.
F.
Notify your supervisor/superior and present/establish
your tetanus status, hepatitis B status and HIV exposure.
G.
Seek further medical attention if necessary.
[Amended 2-12-2008 by Order No. 158-07]
If a Town employee is exposed to blood or body
fluid:
A.
The employee shall wash all exposed areas thoroughly
with soap and water. Clean any spills with one part bleach to 10 parts
water solution.
B.
The employee shall report the incident to his/her
supervisor/superior.
D.
The employee shall notify his/her physician as soon
as possible to schedule an appointment for a voluntary blood test.
(1)
The blood test should be drawn within two weeks of
the incident, six months later and nine months later. The blood test
is sent to the Maine Bureau of Health in Augusta. Results are received
approximately one week later. The employee will be notified by the
doctor of the test results.
(2)
If all three specimens are negative, the employee
is considered not to be infected.
E.
Counseling may occur with each visit or when requested
and is also available to family members and coworkers.
F.
Emotional counseling will be made available upon request.
G.
Strict confidence will be maintained in all incidences
unless appropriate medical and/or information releases have been obtained.
