Section 22-B9001. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE

 

9001.1Policy: The PBC shall maintain an Occupational Health Service. The Occupational Health Service shall provide pre-employment and annual screening, drug and alcohol testing, return to work clearance, evaluation of on-the-job injury, first aid and minor palliative treatment to allow the employee to return to work.

 

9001.2Procedures for pre-employment and health screening are as follows:

 

(a)All employees shall undergo a pre-employment examination and may not commence work until health clearance is given by Occupational Health Services;

 

(b)Human Resources shall schedule pre-employment health examination prior to desired start date. The pre-employment health examination shall require a minimum of three (3) days for completion; and

 

(c)Occupational Health Services may require additional information from the applicant’s private physician prior to employment clearance.

 

9001.3Annual health assessments procedures are as follows:

 

(a)Employees shall complete the annual health assessment as a condition of continued employment;

 

(b)Managers shall release their employees for health assessments. Appointment schedules shall be forwarded to department managers. Employees shall consult with their department managers to arrange the health review appointment;

 

(c)Employees who fail to complete the health assessment during the assigned month shall be subject to suspension from duty and loss of pay. The suspension shall last until all requirements are met;

 

(d)Employees may elect to have their health assessment completed by a private physician at their own expense. A health assessment form must be obtained by the employee from Occupational Health Services. The completed form must be returned to Occupational Health Services by the end of the month in which the review is scheduled;

 

(e)In the event an employee is on a leave of absence, vacation, or sick leave during the month of the annual assessment, the employee must complete the health review within two weeks of their return. The employee shall contact Occupational Health Services prior to their return to schedule an appointment; and

 

(f)If an employee is injured while on duty, an occurrence report must be completed by the injured employee and signed by the employee’s supervisor. The completed report must be taken to Occupational Health Services by the injured employee at the time of the incident, if possible. Occupational Health Services shall provide an evaluation, treatment, and referral. Compliance with this referral is essential for eligibility to receive worker’s compensation benefits through the Human Resources. The employee must contact Occupational Health Services if unable to return to work after an on the job injury. Absence due to on the job injury must be authorized by Occupational Health Services.

 

9001.4Procedures for on the job illness are as follows:

 

(a)In the event an employee becomes ill on duty, the employee must report the illness to the departmental supervisor, obtain a sick call slip, and present it to Occupational Health. Employees who are not on duty, shall not be seen by Occupational Health Services. Employees who come to work ill, shall not be seen, but sent home to follow-up with their private healthcare provider;

 

(b)Occupational Health Services shall provide first aid and minor treatment and emergency care to enable the employee to return to work. Continuing care is not available in Occupational Health Services. All other healthcare services shall be provided by the employee’s private healthcare provider; and

 

(c)Employees who sustain life threatening injuries or illness while on duty shall be escorted directly to the Emergency Room. The Emergency Room shall notify Occupational Health Services of the incident. Occupational Health Service shall notify the employee’s departmental supervisor of the situation.

 

9001.5Return to work clearance procedures are as follows:

 

(a)In the event an employee is absent from work for three (3) or more consecutive days due to illness or injury, he/she must be cleared through Occupational Health Services to return to work;

 

(b)Upon returning to work, the employee must submit a physician’s certificate to Occupational Health Services indicating the following:

 

(1)Beginning and ending dates of disability;

 

(2)Clearance date to return to full duty; and

 

(3)Any limitations or restrictions on performing the essential functions of his/her job.

 

(c)The PBC shall reserve the right to request medical clearance at any time;

 

(d)Employees who returns to duty from an illness or injury on a Saturday and Sunday, holiday, or shift commencing after 3:00 p.m., must report to the Emergency Room for temporary clearance. Clearance must be obtained as indicated in this policy from Occupational Health Services during the next regular working day; and

 

(e)Employees must report for clearance no later than a half-hour prior to the commencement of their assigned shift schedule, or they may not be cleared for duty for an additional twenty (24) hours.

 

9001.6Procedures for emergency room coverage for Occupational Health Services are as follows:

 

(a)The Emergency Room shall provide temporary clearance for employees who are returning to work from an illness and are reporting back to work during the non-operational hours (weekends, holidays, or after 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday), of the Occupational Health Service; and

 

(b)The Emergency Room (ER) shall be available for assessment and treatment for on the job injury and illness during the non-operational hours of Occupational Health Services. All employees shall be referred back to the Occupational Health Services from the ER. Any employee seen in the ER for an on the job injury, must contact the Occupational Health Service during the next working day.

 

9001.7Confidentiality procedures are as follows:

 

(a)Results of all services provided by Occupational Health Services and Emergency Room as provided for by this policy must be kept confidential and maintained in separate Occupational Health Services files; and

 

(b)Exceptions to this apply in instances where the implications of the disability disclosed require the PBC to take precautionary measures and in other circumstances prescribed by law. In such instances, information shall only be supplied to those with a need to know.

 

source

Final Rulemaking published at 45 DCR 7353, 7410 (October 9, 1998).