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Proposed policy amendments regarding preventive measures for infectious diseases
Preventive measures primarily include post-exposure prophylaxis, such as medications, required to preserve health and prevent the onset of disease following occupational exposure to an infectious disease.
Under current policy, WorkSafeBC provides preventive measures if the exposure occurs as a compensable consequence of an objectively verifiable physical trauma (e.g. a needle-stick). However, policy suggests that if the exposure is not accompanied by an objectively verifiable physical trauma (e.g. a blood-splash onto mucous membrane or non-intact skin), WorkSafeBC will not provide preventive measures unless the exposure has caused the onset of an occupational disease.
At issue is whether to amend policy to provide compensation following occupational exposure to an infectious disease in the absence of an objectively verifiable personal trauma, before a worker's infectious status can be conclusively determined; and if so, in what circumstances.
At their meeting on March 20, 2007, the Board of Directors approved the release of a discussion paper with options and draft policy amendments for stakeholder consultation. Proposed deletions of policy wording are identified with a strikethrough and additions are identified in bold.
Discussion paper (PDF 192kb)
There are a number of ways for stakeholders to provide feedback on the options and draft policy amendments:
(a) Comment link:
Through the Comment link below, you will be able to provide immediate feedback by completing an online submission form.
Please note: Once you click the “submit” button at the bottom of the form you cannot access it again to make additional comments. Therefore, if you wish to make detailed comments in the feedback section, you may want to draft your comments using a word processing format and then cut and paste them into the submission form.
Alternatively, submissions can be submitted as follows:
| (b) | E-mail: | policy@worksafebc.com |
| (c) | Mail: | Policy and Research Division |
| (d) | Fax: | 604 279-7599; or toll-free in B.C. 1 877-279-7599 |
The consultation period will end on June 8, 2007. The Board of Directors will consider stakeholder feedback before making a decision on policy amendments.
Please note that all comments become part of the Policy and Research Division's database and may be published, including the identity of organizations and those participating on behalf of organizations. The identity of those who have participated on their own behalf will be kept confidential according to the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.