Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
SUBJECT
Communicable Disease Control
CHIEF OF POLICE
Signature on File
Proudly Policing Since 1841 Nationally Accredited 1986
NUMBER ORIGINAL ISSUE CURRENT REVISION TOTAL PAGES
11 06/30/1988 12/11/2024 17
AUTHORITY/RELATED REFERENCES
OSHA 3127, Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens
Tallahassee Fire Department SOP 603, Employee Health/Exposure Control Plan
General Order 42, Impounding and Controlling of Property and Evidence
General Order 59, Transportation and Booking Procedures
General Order 66, Vehicle Assignment and Operations
Property and Evidence Packaging Manual
ACCREDITATION REFERENCES
CFA Chapter 29
KEY WORD INDEX
Biohazard/Medical Trauma Bag Procedure II
Confidentiality of Medical Information Procedure XIII
Decontamination and Cleanup Procedures Procedure IX
Exposure Reporting, Response, and Testing Procedure X
Exposure to Communicable Diseases Procedure I
Immunization Programs Procedure XII
Infection Control Officer Procedure III
Precautions – Blood/Bodily Fluid/Contagious Disease Procedure VI
Precautions – General Procedure IV
Precautions – Impounding/Evidence Processing Procedure VIII
Precautions – Persons Who Die in Custody Procedure VII
Precautions – Searches Procedure V
Training Procedure XI\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
POLICY
The Department shall safeguard, to the highest degree possible, members who
encounter individuals who have, or are suspected of having, a communicable disease.
When handling or assisting persons with medical conditions, members shall be
sensitive to the person’s condition and shall treat each person with dignity. All members
shall adhere to precautions and procedures described in this General Order which shall
serve as the Department’s Exposure Control Plan.
DEFINITIONS
Airborne Pathogens: Disease-causing microorganisms spread by droplets expelled
into the air, typically through a productive cough or sneeze.
Biohazard Waste: Items to be disposed which are contaminated with blood or other
potentially infectious material in a liquid or dried state, and for which special handling
precautions are necessary; also known as regulated waste.
Blood: Human blood, human blood components, and products made from human
blood.
Bloodborne: Carried or transmitted by blood.
Bloodborne Pathogens: Microorganisms carried or transmitted by blood which can
cause disease.
Communicable Disease: A disease transmitted from one person to another; also
known as a contagious disease.
Contaminated: Potentially infectious materials on an item or surface, or a substance or
process, which poses a threat to life, health or the environment.
Decontamination: A process or method whereby an object or material is freed of
biological contaminants and rendered safe for human handling.
Disinfect: Killing infectious agents outside the body by directly applied chemical or
physical means.
Engineering Controls: Devices designed to reduce the likelihood of exposure by
removing or isolating the hazard or by isolating the member from exposure.
Exposure: Eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or parenteral contact
with blood, other body fluids, or other potentially infectious material.
Hepatitis B: A viral form of hepatitis spread through blood or sexual contact. It is a
GENERAL ORDER 11 PAGE 2 of 17
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL DECEMBER 11, 2024\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
disease of the liver for which there is no cure, though a vaccine exists which can
prevent infection. Also known as HBV or serum hepatitis.
ICO: Infection Control Officer.
Infectious Disease: An illness or disease resulting from invasion of a host by disease-
producing organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. An infectious
disease is not necessarily communicable.
Occupational Exposure: A reasonably anticipated exposure occurring during the
member’s regular performance of duties. It does not include incidental exposures that
are neither reasonably nor routinely expected, and the member is not likely to incur in
the normal course of employment.
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Other Potentially Infectious Material: Human body fluids (semen; amniotic,
cerebrospinal, synovial, pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial fluids; saliva; sweat; urine;
vaginal secretions; vomitus; fecal material; any fluids visibly contaminated with blood; all
body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body
fluids); contaminated body materials; unfixed human tissues or organs; HIV-containing
cell or tissue cultures; HIV or HBV containing culture mediums or other solutions.
Standard Precautions: As defined by the Centers for Disease Control, a set of
precautions designed to prevent transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B, and other bloodborne
pathogens when providing first aid or health care.
Work Practice Controls: Practices designed to reduce the likelihood of exposure by
altering the way members perform certain tasks.
PROCEDURES
I. EXPOSURE TO COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
A. The following tasks are reasonably anticipated to involve exposure to blood,
bodily fluids, airborne pathogens, or other potentially infectious or
communicable diseases:
1. Provision of emergency care to injured or ill patients,
2. Rescue of victims from hostile environments, fires and hazardous
situations, contaminated atmospheres and oxygen deficient environments,
3. Extrication of persons from vehicles, machinery, excavations and
collapses, elevated areas or aquatic environments,
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COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL DECEMBER 11, 2024\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
4. Recovery and removal of deceased bodies from various situations,
5. Response to hazardous materials emergencies involving potentially
infectious substances,
6. Arrests, searches and stop and frisk situations,
7. Contact with contaminated evidence and/or personal property, and
8. Fingerprinting.
B. Members in the following job classifications are reasonably anticipated to
have occupational exposure to blood, bodily fluids or other potentially
infectious substances:
1. Property and Evidence Specialists and Unit Supervisor,
2. Forensic Specialists and Unit Supervisor,
3. Community Service Technicians,
4. Police Officer Trainees,
5. Police Officers/Investigators,
6. Police Sergeants,
7. Police Lieutenants, and
8. Facilities employees,
C. The reporting protocols in this general order are applicable to any member,
regardless of job classification, having an occupational exposure.
II. BIOHAZARD/MEDICAL TRAUMA BAG
A. Because of their work in the field, members identified in subsection I B 2 – 6
above shall be issued a biohazard/medical trauma bag.
B. Members are responsible for utilizing the equipment in the biohazard/medical
trauma bag only for Department-related activity and shall request
replacement for used items from the Supply Office.
C. Contaminated items from the biohazard/medical trauma bag shall not be
reused and shall be disposed of as described in subsection IX E below.
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COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL DECEMBER 11, 2024\n\n--- Page 5 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
D. Upon request, the Supply Office shall provide replacement items for a
member’s biohazard/medical trauma bag.
E. The biohazard/medical trauma bag shall contain disposable personal
protective equipment (PPE) and first aid supplies as listed below.
1. Isolation kit and disposable gloves.
2. Biohazard bags.
3. CPR resuscitator mask, face shield, and fluid resistant masks.
4. Safety glasses and shoe covers.
5. Assorted bandages and pads.
6. Emergency blankets.
7. Waterless anti-microbial hand rinse.
III. INFECTION CONTROL OFFICER
A. The Chief of Police or appointed designee is responsible for designating a
member as the Department’s Infection Control Officer (ICO).
B. In compliance with OSHA standards, the ICO is the contact person for all
Department-re