Administrative Procedure 413: Infection Control
Legal References
Ministry of Education Policy/Program Memorandum 161: Supporting Children and Students with Prevalent Medical Conditions (anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes, and/or epilepsy) in schools; Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act; R.R.O. Reg.851: Industrial Establishments; Health Protection and Promotion Act; Ontario Regulation 135/18: Designation of Diseases
Related References
Administrative Procedure (AP) 175 Reporting Hazards, Incidents and Occupational Illness; AP 226 Special Education Personalized Equipment; AP 314 Supporting Students with Prevalent Medical Conditions
1.0 Purpose and Scope
The Director of Education has authorized the development and implementation of this administrative procedure to ensure:
The Director of Education has authorized the development and implementation of this administrative procedure to ensure:
1.1 All employees are protected from being exposed to infectious agents in the workplace and to prevent or reduce the spread of infectious agents in the school community. The principle used is called Routine Practices, which assumes that blood and all other body fluids are potentially infectious.
2.0 Responsibilities
2.1 Principals/Site Supervisors
2.1.1 Provide information, instruction and supervision to protect employees from exposure to infectious agents. An annual review of this procedure is expected.
2.1.2 Ensure through the Custodial Services Supervisor that hand hygiene supplies, sharps and waste collection containers, approved cleaners and disinfectant are provided.
2.1.3 Ensure personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided and worn as required.
2.1.4 Ensure that processes and documentation for student attendance, supply staff sign-in, visitor sign-in are in place and maintained.
2.1.5 Assist as needed to ensure employee contact information is current.
2.1.6 Ensure that reportable diseases under the Health Protection and Promotion Act are reported to Huron Perth Public Health. Refer to Appendix A.
2.1.7 Report to Huron Perth Public Health when absenteeism rates among students and staff reach approximately 30% above the baseline.
2.1.8 Provide information and support to Huron Perth Public Health when requested.
2.1.9 Ensure that confirmed communicable illnesses are communicated to employees, students and childcare partners, etc. as required.
2.1.2 Ensure through the Custodial Services Supervisor that hand hygiene supplies, sharps and waste collection containers, approved cleaners and disinfectant are provided.
2.1.3 Ensure personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided and worn as required.
2.1.4 Ensure that processes and documentation for student attendance, supply staff sign-in, visitor sign-in are in place and maintained.
2.1.5 Assist as needed to ensure employee contact information is current.
2.1.6 Ensure that reportable diseases under the Health Protection and Promotion Act are reported to Huron Perth Public Health. Refer to Appendix A.
2.1.7 Report to Huron Perth Public Health when absenteeism rates among students and staff reach approximately 30% above the baseline.
2.1.8 Provide information and support to Huron Perth Public Health when requested.
2.1.9 Ensure that confirmed communicable illnesses are communicated to employees, students and childcare partners, etc. as required.
3.0 Employees
3.1 Ensure personal and contact information is always current. Report changes to Human Resource Services.
3.2 Perform a risk assessment before every interaction with a person where they may be exposed to blood or body fluids.
3.3 Follow routine practices based on the risk assessment, including wearing personal protective equipment.
3.4 Employees who work directly with students who have special needs must follow student support plans or plan of care forms, if applicable, to protect themselves and students from exposure and transmission of infectious agents.
3.5 Report to the principal/supervisor, hazards and incidents related to exposure to an infectious agent, as well as missing or defective PPE, hand hygiene supplies or disinfectant.
3.6 Inform the principal/supervisor about an increase in the number of students who are ill or showing signs/symptoms from what would be normally seen.
3.7 Employees who have open wounds or weeping dermatitis and may be exposed to blood or other body fluids as part of their essential duties should consult their
healthcare provider and HRS Wellness Officer to implement any additional precautions that are required.
3.8 All employees will maintain confidentiality about a person’s health, signs, symptoms, diagnosis or other medical information.
3.3 Follow routine practices based on the risk assessment, including wearing personal protective equipment.
3.4 Employees who work directly with students who have special needs must follow student support plans or plan of care forms, if applicable, to protect themselves and students from exposure and transmission of infectious agents.
3.5 Report to the principal/supervisor, hazards and incidents related to exposure to an infectious agent, as well as missing or defective PPE, hand hygiene supplies or disinfectant.
3.6 Inform the principal/supervisor about an increase in the number of students who are ill or showing signs/symptoms from what would be normally seen.
3.7 Employees who have open wounds or weeping dermatitis and may be exposed to blood or other body fluids as part of their essential duties should consult their
healthcare provider and HRS Wellness Officer to implement any additional precautions that are required.
3.8 All employees will maintain confidentiality about a person’s health, signs, symptoms, diagnosis or other medical information.
4.0 Custodial Services Supervisor
4.1 Procure and ensure cleaning, disinfecting and hand hygiene supplies are provided to worksites.
4.2 Ensure information, instruction and supervision is provided to custodians to ensure environmental controls (e.g., cleaning, disinfection and waste management) are implemented and maintained to minimize contamination of surfaces and spread of infectious agents.
4.2 Ensure information, instruction and supervision is provided to custodians to ensure environmental controls (e.g., cleaning, disinfection and waste management) are implemented and maintained to minimize contamination of surfaces and spread of infectious agents.
5.0 Custodians
5.1 Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using products to clean and disinfect (e.g., contact time) contaminated surfaces.
5.2 Follow Standard Operating Procedures for cleaning and disinfecting, including ensuring supplies are available for hand hygiene.
5.2 Follow Standard Operating Procedures for cleaning and disinfecting, including ensuring supplies are available for hand hygiene.
6.0 Environmental Health and Safety Manager
6.1 Maintain this administrative procedure.
6.2 Provide resources and support to worksites and Huron Perth Public Health.
6.3 Audit and communicate compliance of this administrative procedure.
6.2 Provide resources and support to worksites and Huron Perth Public Health.
6.3 Audit and communicate compliance of this administrative procedure.
7.0 Routine Practices Procedure
7.1 An individual may be exposed to infectious agents from:
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- A splash, spray, cough or sneeze from a person.
- Contact with blood or body fluids (e.g., urine, feces, vomit, saliva).
- Contact with mucous membranes (e.g., mouth, nose, or eyes).
- Contact with non-intact skin.
- Contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment.
- Puncture into skin with a contaminated object (e.g., glass, needle).
7.2 Working directly with a person who has signs, symptoms of an infection (e.g., cough, fever, runny nose, rash), blood and all body fluids, inclusive of urine, feces and saliva shall always be handled as if they could be infectious and every person shall be handled in a way that prevents or reduces exposure to blood and body fluids and the spread of infectious agents. These are called routine practices.
7.3 Employees must perform an individual assessment of each person’s (e.g., student, injured worker) potential risk of transmission of microorganisms they come into contact with. Based on that risk assessment and a risk assessment of the task, the employee can determine appropriate intervention and interaction strategies that will reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms to and from the individual. Follow the instructions in Appendix C.
7.4 Wash hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub prior to interacting with individuals where there is a potential risk of exposure or transmission and before putting on PPE. Follow the instructions in Appendix E.
7.5 If PPE is required, inspect each item before use to look for defects.
7.6 Wear disposable gloves when there is a risk the hands will come in contact with a person’s blood, body fluids (e.g., vomit, diarrhea, saliva), mucous membranes,
broken skin, as well as soiled/contaminated items, or spills. Use new gloves for each new individual.
7.7 Wear eye protection (e.g., approved safety glasses, goggles, face shield) when there is a risk of splashing, spraying, coughing, sneezing or spitting of blood or body fluids.
7.8 Wear a mask when there is a risk of splashes or sprays of body fluids to the nose or mouth.
7.9 Wear a disposable gown when there is a risk that the arms or clothing may come in contact with splashes or sprays from contact with blood or body fluids or
contaminated items.
7.10 Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes or skin breaks or abrasions while handling blood or body fluids.
7.11 Put on and take off personal protective equipment in order. Follow the instructions in Appendix E. Dispose single use PPE in the regular waste container. Clean and disinfect reusable eye protection. Follow the instructions in Appendix F.
7.12 Spills of contaminated or potentially contaminated material shall be immediately cleaned up by first putting on PPE (e.g., gloves, gown), then containing and wiping up the spill.
7.13 Clean and disinfect all contaminated or potentially contaminated surfaces, such as floors, walls, equipment, etc. with board approved products and following the
manufacturer’s instructions (e.g., disinfectant contact time).
7.14 Place materials soiled with blood or body fluids in leak-proof waste bags/containers.
7.15 Place sharps containers in close proximity to where needles are used and immediately discard the needle into the container. Always point the needle away from you and do not overfill sharps containers.
7.16 Use a broom and dustpan or tongs to clean up broken glass or needles. Place into a puncture-proof sharps container.
7.17 Change linen and clothing, which have been soiled with blood or body fluids. These items may be washed with the regular laundry.
7.18 After removing PPE, wash hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub.
7.19 Unscented hand lotion can be used to prevent drying of the skin.
8.0 Additional Precautions
8.1 The principal/supervisor will ensure that additional information and instructions are communicated and protective measures are provided to employees when additional precautions are required (e.g., feeding, toileting, immuno-compromised). Learning Services and partner agencies can assist.
8.2 Employees who work directly with students who have special needs must follow additional precautions to best protect themselves and the student(s) they work with from infectious agents.
9.0 Reporting Exposures to Infectious Agent
9.1 If an employee is exposed to blood or body fluids, the following measures should be taken as soon as possible:
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- If splashes occur to the lips, mouth, eyes or nose, flush with water.
- If hands and other body surfaces are exposed (e.g., visibly soiled), wash with soap and water.
- If an employee gets a puncture wound, allow the wound to bleed freely, then cleanse with soap and running water.
- Notify the principal/supervisor and follow AP175 Reporting Hazards, Incidents and Occupational Illness reporting requirements.
- Assess and seek healthcare if required (e.g., puncture into the skin, contact through a break in the skin, splashes into eyes, mouth or nose.)
10.0 Fifth Disease (Parvovirus B-19)
10.1 Fifth Disease, also called Erythema Infectiosum, or “slapped cheek disease”, is an infection caused by parvovirus B19. It is a common viral infection among elementary school children and tends to spread during the late winter to early spring. Refer to Appendix G.
10.2 Fifth Disease is not a reportable disease. Excluding persons with Fifth Disease from school or work is not required because the infected person is contagious before they develop signs and symptoms.
10.3 The principal/supervisor is responsible for educating employees, students and parents about the symptoms of Fifth Disease and requesting students obtain a
medical diagnosis to confirm whether or not the disease is present in the school/site.
10.4 Employees who are pregnant, considering starting a family or at risk of health problems from Fifth Disease (e.g., chronic blood disorder, chronic anemia, immune-compromised) are advised to consult their healthcare professional to determine through testing whether they are susceptible to Fifth Disease.
10.5 Should a principal/supervisor be made aware of a physician-confirmed diagnosis of Fifth Disease in the school/site, they must:
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- Post a notice at the main entrance(s) and staff entrances for 20 days from the dates of last physician confirmed diagnosed case - Appendix H.
- Inform employees and childcare partners at the school/site - Appendix I.
- Notify Human Resources Services Staffing Officers.
- Post a notice in Smartfind for 20 days from the date of the last physician confirmed case. (Example: A Confirmed Case of Fifth Disease has been identified at this school/location. For More Information refer to Administrative Procedure 413 Infection Prevention and Control.)
- If two or more physician-confirmed diagnosed cases from different families are reported, notify the Environmental Health and Safety Manager and Huron Perth Public Health Infectious Disease Team 1-888-221-2133 x3284.
10.6 Human Resource Services Staffing Officers will email occasional/supply staff who are assigned to work at the school/site and central staff employees.
10.7 Should a physician-confirmed diagnosis of Fifth Disease be reported at an employee’s school/site, the following processes apply:
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- It is the responsibility of the employee who may be at risk and does not know whether they have immunity, to be tested by their healthcare professional. The employee may be reassigned to an alternate location until the required tests and results are obtained by their healthcare professional.
- Any employee who is found as a result of testing, to have immunity from Fifth Disease, is required to report to work.
- If a pregnant or at-risk employee who has been tested and found susceptible to Fifth Disease and is advised by their healthcare professional physician not to attend the workplace where there is a physician known confirmed case diagnosis of Fifth Disease or Rubella, the employee must inform the principal/supervisor and Human Resource Services Wellness Officer. The employee will be accommodated until the exposure risk is over (20 days with no confirmed cases) by being reassigned to an alternate site.
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10.8 If a pregnant or at-risk employee, who is not immune to the virus, develops a rash or has sore joints and has been exposed to someone diagnosed with Fifth Disease (or to anyone with an unusual rash), they should call their healthcare professional.
Please see the pdf for the Appendices:
Appendix A - Communicable Disease Exclusion Guidelines for Schools and Childcare (Huron Perth Public Health)
Appendix B – Diseases of Public Health Significance (Huron Perth Public Health)
Appendix C – Performing a Risk Assessment Related to Routine Practices and Additional Precautions (Public Health Ontario)
Appendix D – How to Perform Hand Hygiene (Public Health Ontario)
Appendix E – How to Put on and Take Off Personal Protective Equipment (Public Health Ontario)
Appendix F – Cleaning and Disinfection of Reusable Eye Protection (Public Health Ontario)
Appendix G – Fifth Disease (Caring for Kids – Canadian Pediatric Society)
Appendix H – Sign – Alert
Appendix I – Email/Letter Template – Fifth Disease
Appendix B – Diseases of Public Health Significance (Huron Perth Public Health)
Appendix C – Performing a Risk Assessment Related to Routine Practices and Additional Precautions (Public Health Ontario)
Appendix D – How to Perform Hand Hygiene (Public Health Ontario)
Appendix E – How to Put on and Take Off Personal Protective Equipment (Public Health Ontario)
Appendix F – Cleaning and Disinfection of Reusable Eye Protection (Public Health Ontario)
Appendix G – Fifth Disease (Caring for Kids – Canadian Pediatric Society)
Appendix H – Sign – Alert
Appendix I – Email/Letter Template – Fifth Disease
Revised July 2025