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__________________________________________ ________________________________ _______________________________ General Order B-48 1 of 10 Infectious Diseases TEMPLE TERRACE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER EFFECTIVE DATE 11/25/2010 FILE INDEX NO. B-48 SUBJECT: INFECTIOUS DISEASES INDEX AS: SAME AS ABOVE RESCINDS: 92-10 REVISES: DATE REVISED : 11/13/2024 DISTRIBUTION ALL MEMBERS I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this general order is to establish guidelines for taking precautionary actions when dealing with communicable diseases or exposure to bodily fluids . This general order serves as the department’s Exposure Control Plan. II. SCOPE: All Members III. DISCUSSION: A. It is the policy of the chief of police to safeguard, to the highest degree possible, department employees and members of the public who come in contact with people who have, or are suspected of having, a communicable disease without sacrificing essential services to the community or individual citizens. B. Employees are always responsible for treating people fairly and humanely. When handling or assisting a person with medical afflictions, employees bear the additional responsibility of being especially sensi tive towards the person's condition and treating the person with the same dignity reserved for all people with whom they have contact. C. Information on record (e.g. test results) regarding an employee or arrestee with AIDS or other communicable disease is co nfidential. Access to such infor mation is limited to those who have a legal need to know. Disclosure of any information except as authorized/ required by law must not be made unless the written consent of the person is obtained. D. Statement of Reassurance : 1. The precautionary measures found in the City of Temple Terrace’s Infection Control Plan are necessary under certain, specified conditions to minimize the risk of infection to employees of the department. However, employees are reminded that th ere is no medical evidence indicating that Hepatitis B or AIDS can be transmitted by casual contact. The kinds of non -sexual , person to person con tacts that generally occur be tween an employee and arrestee or victim do not pose a risk of disease transmi ssion. The routine handling, transporting and detention of persons shou ld continue according to current policy and procedures. __________________________________________ ________________________________ _______________________________ General Order B-48 2 of 10 Infectious Diseases E. Purpose o f the Plan : 1. One of the major goals of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is to regulate facilities where work is carried out. The goal is to promote safe work practices in an effort to minimize the incidence of illness and injury experienced by e mployees. Relative to this goal, OSHA has enacted the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, codified as 29 CFR 1910.1030. The purpose of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard is to "reduce occupational exposure to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and other bloodborne pathogens" that employees may encounter in their workplace. The City of Temple Terrace meets OSHA regulations regarding infectious diseases. F. The City of Temple Terrace is committed to ensuring the personal health and safety of a ll its employees. The prevention of occupational ly induced injuries and illnesses is of such consequence that it will be given precedence over operating productivity whenever necessary . The prevention of occupationally induced illness is the responsibility of each employee. To the greatest degree possible, the city will provide the facilities, the equipment and the training required for the personal safety and health of each employee in keeping with the highest professional standards. G. The City of Temple Ter race believes that there are a number of good general principles to be followed. These principles include: 1. It is prudent to minimize all exposure to bloodborne pathogens and hazardous materials. 2. Risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and hazardous materi als should never be underestimated. 3. Instituting as man y work practice s and contr ols as possible to minimize employee exposure to bloodborne pathogens and hazardous materials. H. This Exposure Control Plan meets the letter and intent of the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. The objective of this plan is twofold: 1. To protect employees from the health hazards associated with bloodborne pathogens and hazardous materials; and 2. To provide appropriate treatment and counseling should an employee be expos ed to bloodborne pathogens and/or hazardous materials. IV. DEFINITIONS: A. Biohazardous Materials - Primarily medical waste but may include disease causing agents that are not medical waste. Medical waste is often referred to as "red bag waste" due to the fact t hat it is packed in lined cardboard boxes. Both types of containers are clearly marked "biohazardous" and should display the identity of the generator of the waste. B. Bloodborne Pathogens - Pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. Theses pathogens include, but are not limited to, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). C. Body Fluids - Blood, semen, saliva, urine, tears, stool, and vomit. 1. The mere handling of an arrestee during the arrest process or during subsequent detention does not constitute an exposure. For an actual exposure to occur, at least one of the above conditions must be met