Communicable Illness Policy
A communicable illness policy is a set of guidelines and procedures that outlines how employers in Ontario should handle situations where employees may be infected with a contagious illness. The policy should be designed to protect the health and safety of employees, clients, and customers, while also minimizing the risk of the illness spreading in the workplace.
In Ontario, communicable illness policies must comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and other applicable laws and regulations. The OHSA requires employers to take all reasonable precautions to protect their workers from hazards, including communicable illnesses.
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A communicable illness is an illness that can be transmitted from person to person through direct or indirect contact. Examples of communicable illnesses include the common cold, flu, COVID-19, and other infectious diseases.
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A communicable illness policy is important because it helps employers to:
1. Prevent the spread of illness: A well-designed communicable illness policy can help to prevent the spread of contagious illnesses in the workplace. By outlining procedures for identifying and reporting potential cases of illness, employers can take action quickly to limit the spread of the disease.
2. Protect employees and customers: A communicable illness policy can help to protect the health and safety of employees and customers by providing guidelines for preventing and managing the spread of illness.
3. Comply with legal requirements: In Ontario, employers are legally required to take all reasonable precautions to protect their workers from communicable illnesses. Having a communicable illness policy in place can help employers to demonstrate that they are meeting this legal requirement.
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A communicable illness policy should include the following elements:
1. Definition of communicable illness: The policy should define what constitutes a communicable illness, and provide examples of common contagious diseases.
2. Procedures for reporting illness: The policy should outline the procedures for employees to report any symptoms or illnesses to their supervisor or HR department.
3. Protocols for managing illness: The policy should provide guidance on how to manage an employee who is infected with a communicable illness, including isolation procedures, work restrictions, and sick leave policies.
4. Preventive measures: The policy should include recommendations for preventive measures, such as hand hygiene, social distancing, and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
5. Communication plan: The policy should outline a communication plan for informing employees, customers, and other stakeholders about the company's communicable illness policy and any related updates or changes.
Next steps?
It’s always a good idea to review your company’s Communicable Illness Policy to make sure it’s both up-to-date and compliant with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
If you require any assistance with writing your Communicable Illness policy, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team is dedicated to working with you to ensure that your company’s policies align with the best practices and regulations, and that your employees receive the protection and care they deserve.