Purpose
The Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf (ENCSD) is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational environment for students, staff, and visitors. Because employees work in close contact with students in both educational and residential settings, the school must take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of communicable diseases while also protecting the rights and privacy of employees.
This policy establishes guidelines for the prevention, reporting, and management of communicable diseases among employees in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and public health guidance.
Definitions
For the purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply:
- Communicable Disease: An illness caused by an infectious agent or its toxic products that can be transmitted directly or indirectly.
- Direct Threat: A significant risk of substantial harm to the health and safety of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced through reasonable accommodations or protective measures.
- Universal Precautions: An infection control approach that treats all blood and certain body fluids as if they are known to be infectious and requires the use of appropriate protective measures.
I. Prevention and Infection Control
ENCSD will implement appropriate health and safety practices to reduce the risk of transmission of communicable diseases in school and residential settings. Employees are expected to follow established health and safety procedures, including:
- Practicing proper hand hygiene
- Following universal precautions when exposure to blood or bodily fluids may occur
- Using appropriate personal protective equipment when necessary
- Following sanitation and cleaning procedures established by the school
- Complying with health directives issued by public health authorities
The Superintendent or designee may implement additional infection prevention measures when necessary to protect the health and safety of the school community.
II. Employee Illness and Reporting
Employees who have a communicable disease that may pose a risk of transmission to others should notify their supervisor or the appropriate administrator as soon as reasonably practicable, consistent with applicable laws and confidentiality requirements.
Employees who exhibit symptoms of a communicable disease that may endanger the health of others may be required to leave the workplace and seek medical evaluation before returning to work.
In situations involving diseases designated as reportable under state law, the school will cooperate with the local health department in accordance with public health requirements.
III. Work Restrictions and Return to Work
An employee with a communicable disease may be excluded from the workplace if necessary to prevent a direct threat to the health and safety of students or staff.
Decisions regarding work restrictions or return to work will be based on:
- Guidance from healthcare providers
- Recommendations from the local health department or public health authorities
- Applicable federal and state laws and regulations
- The employee’s ability to perform essential job duties safely
When appropriate, the school may consider reasonable accommodations consistent with applicable law.
IV. Confidentiality
Information regarding an employee’s medical condition or communicable disease status will be treated as confidential and handled in accordance with federal and state privacy laws.
Medical information will be shared only with individuals who have legitimate need to know in order to protect health and safety of the school community or to comply with legal requirements.
V. Nondiscrimination
Employees with communicable diseases will not be discriminated against solely because of their medical condition. Decisions regarding employment status will be made in accordance with applicable laws including disability and nondiscrimination protections.
Employees may continue to work as long as they are able to perform the essential functions of their job and their condition does not pose a direct threat to others that cannot be mitigated through reasonable measures.
VI. Coordination with Public Health Authorities
ENCSD will cooperate with the local health department and other public health authorities in the prevention, control, and investigation of communicable diseases.
When required by law or public health guidance, the school may:
- Report certain communicable diseases
- Assist with contact tracing or exposure notification as required
- Implement recommended health and safety measures
Legal References
- Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. §794
- Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. §651 et seq.
- 29 C.F.R. §1910.1030 (Bloodborne Pathogens Standard)
- Family and Medical Leave Act, 29 U.S.C. §2601 et seq.
- N.C. Gen. Stat. §§130A-135 through 130A-144
- 10A N.C.A.C. 41A (Communicable Disease Control Measures)
This policy shall be reviewed and updated periodically to ensure continued compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and best practices for serving deaf and hard of hearing students.