Communicable Diseases Regulation

To establish procedures for responding to incidents involving blood and other body fluids in order to prevent transmission of blood-borne infections such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus

2.1 The Durham District School Board will make every effort to provide a safe environment for students and 
employees. According to the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and the Municipality 
Freedom of Information Act (MFIPA), providing confidentiality to the student or employee infected with an 
infectious disease will be fully enforced.

2.2 Recognizing that education has a vital role to play in the prevention of transmission of infectious diseases, 
education about blood-borne infections of interest, including AIDS, shall be included in the curriculum.

2.3 All staff must be informed of and adhere to policies, procedures, and guidelines regarding occupational 
exposure to blood-borne infections. 

2.4 Staff responsible for responding to this policy will include but not be limited to:

• Superintendents;
• Area supervisors; and
• School principals.

3.1 The term routine practices are used to describe specific procedures that must be utilized at all times 
during potentially hazardous situations and to minimize and/or prevent the transmission of potential 
blood-borne infections.

3.2 Routine practices shall be used whenever administering first aid or cleaning spills of blood or body fluids. Body fluids are defined as semen, vaginal secretions, feces, nasal secretions, sputum, vomitus, and other body fluids containing blood.

3.3 4 Key Components of Routine Practices:

3.3.1 Hand hygiene

3.3.2 Use of protective barriers (Personal Protective Equipment(PPE))

3.3.3 Cleaning and disinfection of potentially contaminated surfaces

3.3.4 Safe handling/disposal of potentially contaminated material

A disinfectant, for purposes of this procedure, is defined as a Durham District School Board approved disinfectant

3.4 Hand Hygiene:

3.4.1 Frequent hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in 
schools.

3.4.1 Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, especially after contact with any blood and body fluids or a contaminated surface.

3.4.2 Wet hands with warm water and apply soap.

3.4.3 Rub hands vigorously together and scrub all surfaces (backs of hands, between fingers, thumbs 
and around fingernails) for at least 15 seconds. The soap, combined with the scrubbing action, helps dislodge dirt/soil and remove germs. 

3.4.4 Thoroughly rinse hands under warm running water, removing all traces of soap lather.

3.4.5 Dry hands with a paper towel. Taps should be turned off using the towel, then discard papertowel. If hot air dryers are available, ensure hands are completely dry.

3.5 Protective Barriers:

3.5.1 Always wear appropriate protective barriers (disposable gloves) when contact with blood and 
body fluids is expected.

3.5.2 The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSAct) requires the employer to provide and maintain 
personal protective equipment in good condition, to require their use, and to train the worker on 
their use. [OHSAct s. 25 (1)(b), (d) and (2)(a), (h)]

3.5.3 Protective barriers reduce the risk of exposure to potentially infectious substances through 
contact with broken skin or mucous membranes.

3.5.4 Gloves:

3.5.4.1 Disposable medical grade nitrile gloves offer the optimal protection against viruses that may be present in blood or body fluids.

3.5.4.2 Gloves are necessary for cleaning and disinfecting potentially contaminated surfaces and handling of potentially contaminated waste.

3.5.4.3 Change gloves after each task or exposure.

3.5.4.4 If using disposable gloves, discard after each use; gloves should be removed inside-out, one at a time, and dispose as contaminated waste.

3.5.4.5 Wash hands thoroughly with warm water and soap after removing gloves. (see 3.4 Hand Hygiene)

3.5.5 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

3.5.5.1 Protective eye glasses and a mask (medical, surgical or procedural) must be provided and used where blood and body fluids are likely to splash on the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth.

3.5.5.2 Safety goggles and/or face shields should also be worn when using the disinfectant. Where the spill or area of contamination is extensive, an impervious disposable coverall and shoe protectors (booties) as well as a mask should be worn. Gowns, lab coats or aprons must be provided and worn when clothing is likely to be soiled.

3.5.6 Resuscitation Devices:

3.5.6.1 To minimize your exposure during emergency mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, mouthpieces or other resuscitation devices should be provided and utilized.

3.5.6.2 Resuscitation devices should be a disposable type and available in every first aid kit and discarded after each use.

3.5.7 Cleaning of contaminated surfaces:

3.5.7.1 Consider the use of PPE before cleaning and disinfecting a contaminated area/surface (e.g. single use gloves, disposable gown, surgical mask and eye goggles/face shield).

3.5.7.2 Discard all contaminated clean-up materials (i.e. paper towels, rags) in double plastic bags.

3.5.7.3 If necessary, absorb the blood or body fluids (e.g. vomitus) using paper towels, and dispose of 

3.5.7.4 Clean contaminated surfaces or objects with detergent and water. Rinse surfaces with clean water to remove detergent film. 

3.5.7.5 After a thorough cleaning and rinsing, disinfect the surface, object or area by applying disinfectant with a clean paper towel/cloth or pouring onto area. Only use clean cloths/paper towels; do not reuse. Avoid spraying on disinfectant when possible. For floors, soak a mop in the disinfectant and wipe the floors. Some toys or other objects can be immersed directly in the disinfectant.

3.5.7.6 Leave the disinfectant in contact with the surface or object for at least 10 minutes, or according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Rinsing is not necessary, unless it is a food contact surface. 

3.5.7.7 Double bag and seal contaminated clothing. Have employees bring their contaminated clothing home to wash and dry on a hot cycle.

3.5.7.8 Carefully remove gloves so as to avoid contaminating the hands. 

3.5.7.9 Contaminated disinfectant may be disposed of by pouring it down the 
drain.

3.5.8.0 For outdoor toys and equipment (i.e. shovels, buckets, climbers and swings) follow the process for cleaning, disinfecting, and disposal of clean-up materials as above.

3.5.8.1 If there is blood in sandboxes or other ground surfaces, remove the blood-soaked sand or dirt, and discard appropriately.

3.5.8.2 Carpets should be thoroughly cleaned with detergent and water, and rinsed thoroughly with water. If practical, absorb the blood or body fluid using paper towels, prior to cleaning, and dispose of appropriately. Where the spill is extensive, shampooing should be done with a germicidal carpet shampoo after the blood and/or body fluids have been removed.

3.5.8.3 Following clean-up, discard gloves and wash hands with soap and water. Dispose of PPE appropriately.

3.5.8 Safe handling/disposal of contaminated material:

3.5.8.1 Discard all contaminated clean-up materials in double plastic bags.

3.5.8.2 Consider all contaminated waste as infectious.

3.5.8.3 Wear disposable gloves and handle all contaminated wastes carefully to prevent body contact.

3.5.8.4 Any object that could cut or puncture the skin such as needles or broken glass may carry infectious disease material and should be handled with caution. Dispose of sharps in a Durham District School Board approved unbreakable, non-pierceable containers that have a lid. Never place sharps in the regular trash (see “Warning! Needles are a Danger poster).

3.6 Routine Preventative Measures:

3.6.1 Discard cracked and broken toys.

3.6.2 In classrooms where younger children may mouth toys, regularly clean toys, rinse, disinfect toys 
and rinse again. 

3.6.3 Toothbrushes and other personal items are not to be shared.

3.6.4 Keep other children away from areas where blood and body fluid spills have occurred, to minimize exposure to blood.

3.6.5 Broken skin (i.e. cuts, abrasions) should be covered with a bandage so that it is protected from 
contact with blood and body fluids. The bandage also contains any leakage of blood from site, therefore preventing potential contamination of surfaces.

3.7 Precautions to Take When Applying First Aid:

3.7.1 Disposable gloves should be part of a first aid kit, and used when performing first aid. However, 
DO NOT delay first aid if gloves are not available.

3.7.2 During first aid, use clean/sterile disposable materials on open wounds. Cover cuts or open wounds with clean/sterile bandages.

3.7.3 Use direct or indirect pressure to control the bleeding depending on the type of wound and based on your first-aid training. Wash any visible blood off of the intact skin with warm, soapy water if it does not compromise first-aid measures and the situation is stable. Discard blood stained clean-up materials appropriately.

It is very important to be aware of the risks of exposure to infectious diseases and to understand how to prevent or minimize the risk of exposure. Exposures can be prevented by following routine practices, implementing appropriate procedures, and utilizing personal protective equipment (PPE). If there has been an exposure to blood or body fluids, the individual should go immediately to a local Emergency Department for medical assessment by a physician. If the Emergency Room physician examines the individual and identifies that an exposure occurred, he/she will determine the need for prophylactic treatment or vaccination to prevent infection from the exposure. In addition, baseline blood work for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C will be done with additional follow up blood work at 3 months and 6 months after the date of exposure. 

5.1 Staff shall consult the Durham District School Board resource: Communicable Diseases and Medical 
Procedures Resource Manual, and the Durham Region Health Department resource: Guidelines for
Communicable Disease Reporting & Exclusion, to assist in the control and management of communicable 
diseases.

5.2 The principal shall inform the Superintendent of Education/Operations of any trends in cases of infectious 
disease. The superintendent will consult with the Durham Region Health Department to ensure proper 
precautions are in place to maintain confidentiality for the student(s) involved. The identity of the student 
and the details of the infection are to be kept in strict confidentiality. 

5.3 The Superintendent of Education/Operations, in consultation with the Durham Region Health Department, 
parent(s), guardian(s), school staff, or student where appropriate, will develop a course of action to protect 
the student and school community involved. The dissemination of information to students/staff/community, if at all, will be determined, ensuring confidentiality and privacy of information to all involved.

5.4 Students will be excluded from school only when advised by a physician or Medical Officer of Health or per the resource, Guidelines for Communicable Disease Reporting & Exclusion. The Durham Region Health 
Department is available for consultation as needed.

5.5 Alternate instruction may be provided if determined that the student must be excluded from school due to the infectivity of the illness. Decisions regarding alternate instruction shall be made on a case-by-case 
basis. Teachers and other education workers who provide alternate instruction will be informed of 
required precautions as necessary and should not be placed at risk for transmission of the illness.