CITY OF LODI

                            ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL

 

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:                                           :           INFECTIOUS AND COMMUNICABLE

                                                                        DISEASES - Policy

 

DATE ISSUED:                                   :           May 1, 1995

 

SECTION:                                           :           I

 

REFERENCE::                                                 Health and Safety Code Sections 199.2 et. seq.; California Occupational Safety and Health Act, Labor Code Sections 6300 et. seq.

 

 

 

SECTION 1:                                        PURPOSE

 

                                                            The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance in the understanding of and guidelines in working with person who may be or are infected with an infectious or communicable disease.

 

 

SECTION 2:                                        POLICY STATEMENT

 

                                                            The City of Lodi does not discriminate in its employment policies and practices solely on the basis of exposure to infectious or communicable diseases, or the physical conditions produced by such a disease.  The City is committed to a course of action which will prevent the spread of infectious diseases, and reduce fears and dispel myths about such diseases.  This policy is intended to balance the interests of persons suffering from such diseases with the interests of the City in protecting its employees from any dangers associated with those diseases.  The City Manager has authority to adopt any necessary regulations which are consistent with this policy, and to use them to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether persons infected with such diseases should be isolated or excluded.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 3:                                        INFECTIOUS OR COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

 

                                                            Infectious or communicable diseases include but are not limited to HIV (the virus which causes AIDS), ARC (AIDS Related Condition), AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), tuberculosis (TB), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Herpes Simplex virus (HSV Type I and Type II), HSV related diseases such as chicken pox, shingles, infectious mononucleosis, and Hepatitis-B.

 

SECTION 4:                                        REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

 

                                                            Employees with AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or a positive HTLV-III antibody test shall be afforded normal attendance, and working conditions, and participation in an unrestricted manner as long as they are physically and psychologically able to do so.

 

                                                            The City shall provide reasonable accommodation to employees with infectious diseases, including AIDS and related illnesses, in a manner consistent with those provided for other medical problems.

 

 

SECTION 5:                                        CONFIDENTIALITY

 

                                                            Except for legally required reporting, confidentiality of all medical conditions shall be maintained. The number of persons who will be informed of the employee's condition shall be kept at the minimum needed to assure proper care of the employee, and to detect situations where the potential for transmission may increase.

 

                                                            The Personnel Director, the employee's department head and immediate supervisor shall be informed of an employee's condition.  These persons shall be provided with appropriate information concerning any precautions which are necessary to ensure the safety of the employee, and others.  They shall be specifically cautioned regarding the employee's right to privacy and confidentiality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 6:                                        EMPLOYEES WITH INFECTIOUS OR

                                                            COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

 

                                                            In all cases of medical absence due to a communicable disease, or its potential, the affected employee shall notify the Department Head immediately of such condition, and shall be required to provide medical evidence of employability before returning to work.

 

                                                            If the City received notice that an employee is suffering from an infectious or communicable disease, it shall make decisions regarding the employee’s continued employment based on the behavior, neurological development and physical conditions of the employee, and the health and safety of other persons with whom the employee will interact.

 

                                                            All employees of the City must be physically and mentally able  to perform the duties and responsibilities of their positions, and must be free of any condition or disease which may be detrimental to the health and/or safety of fellow employees and members of the public as determined by the City.

 

                                                            Each instance of an employee suffering from an infectious or communicable disease shall be considered on a case-by-case basis.  The department head where the employee is assigned, in conjunction with the [Personnel Department/City Manager] shall decide whether the employee is free of transmissible infection and does not pose a risk to the public or other employees, in consultation, as necessary, with public health personnel, the employee’s physician and the employee.

 

 

SECTION 7:                                        EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

 

                                                            Employees shall exercise the procedures consistent with their respective departmental plan in accordance with the City policy on Injury and Illness Prevention for the purpose of the prevention and control of infectious and communicable diseases.

 

                                                            If an employee has concerns about the presence of a person with AIDS virus, or any other infectious disease, that individual should be directed to a knowledgeable counselor or manager to help allay fears.  Referral should be made to appropriate community agencies for those persons with continuing fears or concerns about the disease.

 

                                                            All managers/supervisors are to schedule staff development workshops for all employees to disseminate information and answer questions about AIDS.