Unfortunately, it appears that another worldwide health hazard is making a resurgence and, like most such hazards, has already and will continue to impact the workplace. Often the DPH will advise the employer of alternative courses of action which  must be considered and the employer must document its actions which may include requiring the infected employee to remain away from work to prevent further infection. People who are not sick have what is called latent TB infection. Symptoms of TB disease in other parts of the body depend on the area affected. For additional information, contact your local or state TB control program.They can advise you about what should be done. 21, 2008; 57(11) 281-285, Reported by: R Pratt, V Robison, T Navin, Div of TB Elimination, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention; H Menzies, EIS Officer, CDC. Symptoms of TB depend on where in the body the TB bacteria are growing. As an employer, unless you are directly involved in the healthcare industry, you will typically be ill-equipped to respond in any meaningful fashion to this health hazard. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), (May 30, 2002). Employee enters your office, shakes your hand, coughs, and then sits in your chair to tell you that he needs time off because the doctor has informed him that he has "active tuberculosis" and will need some time away from work while undergoing treatment. Feb. 28, 2013). Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. Under Section 22, the employer also the duty to monitor conditions at the workplace and to monitor the health and safety of employees. People with active TB disease are most likely to spread it to people they spend prolonged time with every day, such as family members, carpool riders, friends, and coworkers whose work stations are in close proximity. See Recording criteria for work-related tuberculosis cases. The TB control program will determine if the employee has latent TB infection or TB disease. The investigation will help them find out how the employee may have been exposed to TB and to determine who else might be at risk. These bacteria can stay in the air for several hours, depending on the environment. The dangers associated with this disease are noted in the March 1, 2013 article in the Wall Street Journal, “Dangerous TB Patient Detained on U.S. Border.” The article notes that this is “the first person to cross and be held in detention while infected with one of the most severe types of drug-resistant tuberculosis known today.”. To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. TB bacteria become active if the immune system cannot stop them from growing. Tuberculosis (TB) in the workplace Guidance for employers on TB in the workplace, including risk assessment, symptoms, referral pathway, screening, and contact tracing. If you would like further information, please contact your Littler attorney at 1.888.Littler, [email protected], or Mr. Benson at [email protected]. Tuberculosis Liability Issues In The Workplace? Under workers’ compensation laws, the employer is legally responsible to provide benefits to an employee who sustains an injury or illness that “arises out of and in the course of employment.”  Since TB is not typically a hazard that “arises out of the employment,” the employer would in most cases not be responsible for worker’s compensation benefits if an employee contracts TB (again, unless the employer is involved in work activities where employee exposure to TB is reasonably expected within those activities). But, TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain, and if not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.

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