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Policy and Procedure 6.216 The Arc of the Ozarks POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ______________________________________________________________________________ CHAPTER SUBCHAPTER NO. OF PAGES PAGE PERSONNEL EMPLOYMENT 3 1 ______________________________________________________________________________ SUBJECT EFFECTIVE DATE SERIOUS DISEASES 12-1-92 ______________________________________________________________________________ Policy: The policy of The Arc of the Ozarks is that employees with infectious, long-term, life-threatening, or other serious diseases may work as long as they are physically and mentally able to perform the duties of their jobs without undue risk to their own health or that of others. Such serious diseases include, but are not limited to, cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, hepatitis, tuberculosis, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Comment: 1. The Arc of the Ozarks will support, where feasible and practical, educational programs to enhance employee awareness and understanding of serious diseases. 2. Employees having a serious disease are to be treated the same as any other employee. In addition, if the serious disease affects their ability to perform their assigned duties, such employees are to be treated like other employees who have disabilities that limit their job performance. 3. Employees who are diagnosed as having a serious disease and who desire an accommodation are to inform their supervisor or the Human Resource Department of their condition as soon as possible. Supervisors and the Human Resource Department should respond with compassion and understanding. In addition, they should review with the employee The Arc of the Ozarks policy on such issues as employee assistance, leaves and disability, infection control, any accommodation the employee may request and The Arc of the Ozarks response to that request, The Arc of the Ozarks continuing expectation regarding the employee's performance and attendance, and available benefits (see Employee Counseling, Policy 6.506; Leaves of Absence, Policy 6.703; and Disclosure of Benefits, Policy 6.501). Policy and Procedure 6.216 Page 2 ______________________________________________________________________________ 4. Employees who have a serious disease are to provide the Human Resource Department with any pertinent medical records needed to make decisions regarding job assignments, ability to continue working, or ability to return to work. The Arc of the Ozarks may require a doctor's certification of an employee's ability to perform his duties safely (see Medical Procedures, Policy 6.203). 5. The Arc of the Ozarks will attempt to maintain the confidentiality of the diagnosis and medical records of employees with serious diseases, unless otherwise required by law. Information relating to an employee's serious disease will not be disclosed to other employees unless the information is, in the opinion of The Arc of the Ozarks, necessary to protect the health or safety of the employee, co-workers, or others. In all cases, the affected employee will be immediately informed of the disclosure. 6. The Arc of the Ozarks will comply with applicable occupational safety regulations concerning employees exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials. Universal precautions, engineering and work practice controls, and personal protective equipment will be utilized to limit the spread of diseases in the work place. A system of precautions will generally include elements such as these: a. Identification of tasks and jobs involving a risk of exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. b. The use of protective barriers, such as gloves and goggles, by employees who are exposed to blood or other bodily fluids or who are required to handle potentially contaminated items and to clean potentially contaminated areas.; c. Procedures for the handling and disposing of potentially infectious materials, clothing, and other items. d. Provisions for the cleaning and disinfecting of work areas or equipment contaminated with blood or bodily fluids with a suitable disinfectant. e. Procedures for providing hepatitis B vaccinations, when required, and post-exposure follow-up. f. Employee training and familiarization with appropriate work and emergency procedures. g. Labeling areas and objects of potential infection. h. Medical and training records creation and retention. Policy and Procedure 6.216 Page 3 ______________________________________________________________________________ 7. Employees concerned about being infected with a serious disease by a co-worker, client, or other person should convey this concern to their supervisor and the Human Resource Department. Employees who refuse to work with or perform services for a person known to have or suspected of having a serious disease, without first discussing their concern with a supervisor, will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination. In addition, where there is no evidence of risk of infection to the concerned employee, that employee may be assigned to work with or perform services for any other employee or client as required by The Arc of the Ozarks (see Disciplinary Procedure, Policy 6.808). Approved: Revised: Reviewed: Reviewed: 11-01-92 05-23-95 10-01-01 07-09-12