HD15 - Contagious Disease Training for Public Safety Personnel

  • Published: 1993
  • Author: Committee on Training of Criminal Justice Services Board
  • Enabling Authority: House Joint Resolution 184 (Regular Session, 1992)

Executive Summary:
There is a prevailing concern about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) in our society. Public safety personnel are especially apprehensive about these diseases because of their contact with individuals whose behavior may place them at risk for infection with the viruses. Public safety employees and volunteers may be frequently involved in incidents in which there is potential for exposure to HIV, HBV and other communicable diseases.

It is critical that public safety personnel receive accurate, timely and regular information about HIV, HBV and other communicable diseases. Education and training of public safety personnel is the cornerstone to allay these concerns and fears.

Through discussion and extensive research, the study Committee on Contagious Disease Training attempted to address many of these concerns. Utilizing recently passed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) regulations on blood-borne pathogens as a guide, the Committee developed several training recommendations as well as a model training outline.

The following recommendations for training public safety personnel in the prevention of exposure to communicable diseases are a culmination of the Committee's efforts.

Recommendation 1
Airborne pathogens Training:

The Committee recommends that public safety personnel receive training on airborne pathogens disease prevention in addition to present OSHA/VOSH mandated training on blood-borne pathogens disease prevention.

Recommendation 2
Training Volunteers:

Although VOSH regulations do not specifically require volunteers who are at risk for exposure to be covered under the training mandates, the Committee recommends that these volunteers should receive the same training in the prevention of communicable diseases as provided to paid employees.

Recommendation 3
Model Training Outline:

The Committee recommends that the proposed outline for disease training be adopted as a model training outline and used by public safety agencies throughout the Commonwealth when training personnel.

Recommendation 4
Legal Issues:

The Committee recommends that training on legal issues of confidentiality, privacy, search and seizure, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), agency and personal liability, workman's compensation, health insurance coverage and life insurance benefits be covered during training on communicable disease prevention as proposed in the model training outline.

Recommendation 5
Testing for Knowledge:

The Committee recommends that persons undergoing initial communicable disease prevention training be tested for knowledge of subject matter content; however, testing of annual update training should be left to the discretion of each agency.

Recommendation 6
Time of Training:

The Committee recommends that communicable disease prevention training be given at the time of initial assignment to any tasks where potential for occupational exposure exists and at least annually thereafter.

Recommendation 7
Local Cooperation:

The Committee recommends that local health and public safety agencies combing their resources to meet the recommendations and requirements of OSHA/VOSH regulations.

Recommendation 8
Coordination Committee:

The committee recommends that the General Assembly create a multi-agency coordination committee to address ongoing issues related to infection control for public safety personnel, including, but not limited to, training, testing, confidentiality and new information on blood-borne and airborne pathogens that present a risk to public safety personnel.

Recommendation 9
EMT Training:

Due to cost and time factors, the Committee recommends that determination of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training be left to the discretion of each public safety agency. Local administrators may wish to consider the First Responder Course as a viable alternative.

Recommendation 10
Mandated Training:

Because the OSHA/VOSH mandates already require that certain training be provided, the Committee does not recommend that additional training be mandated by each state public safety agency as part of their training rules/regulations.

Recommendation 11
Post-Exposure Management:

In the event of occupational exposure incidents involving airborne or blood-borne pathogens, the Committee recommends that the opportunity for post-exposure management be provided to public safety personnel in accordance with the most current recommendations of the United States Public Health Service/Centers for Disease Control and OSHA/VOSH. Recommendations for post-exposure management include, but are not limited to, appropriate screening tests, vaccinations, education and counseling services to include the employee's family members and the assurance of confidentiality of all information derived from the provision of such post-exposure follow-up.