11.11 AIDS in the Workplace

The Broken Arrow Board of Education is committed to providing a safe, healthy working environment for all employees of the school district. Since Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) poses serious health risks, the purpose of this policy is to outline procedures which serve to protect the employment rights and privileges of the AIDS-infected employee, and to safequard the health and welfare of co-workers who are not infected with the disease.

Each employee shall be informed, in both written and oral communication, about procedure governing AIDS in the workplace.

It is the duty of each employee who has been confirmed as being infected by the AIDS virus or any other life threatening communicable disease (through medical examination and tests) to inform the Superintendent of Schools about the existing condition so that the School District may take appropriate steps to insure the safety and well-being of students and staff of the School District.
Each AIDS-infected employee shall be required to submit, on an annual basis, a statement from a certified medical doctor which informs the Superintendent of Schools of the status of the employee's condition and recommendations concerning continuation of duties.

When it is determined, through consultation between Superintendent of Schools and the certified doctor treating the AIDS-infected employee, that the infected employee poses a risk of infection to co-workers or students, or the infected employee is deemed unable to perform his tasks required of the position with reasonable accommodation, then the employee will be asked to resign his employment. If the employee refuses to resign, dismissal proceedings will be initiated by the school district.

The school district will, in an effort to insure the rights of an AIDS-infected employee, endeavor to maintain normal working conditions for the employee, until that point that the infected employee poses a health hazard to others.

Any employee identified as AIDS-infected will be offered information about medical and health services. In addition, any such employee will be eligible for insurance, leave and other benefits which are available for any other employees of the District.

Only the Superintendent of Schools will be informed of the employee's condition. The supervisor will take appropriate measures to insure safety and health of all employees in the school or department, while protecting the rights of the staff member who has AIDS.

Since it is not always known whether an employee is infected with the AIDS virus, rubber gloves and a one to ten solution of household bleach and water are to be used in cleaning up a spill of body fluid by any employee. Insofar as possible, paper towels or other disposable products are to be used. Following cleanup, the rubber gloves and paper towels are to be sealed in a plastic bag and discarded. Used sanitary napkins are also to be sealed in plastic and disposed of in the same manner. Other materials used in the cleanup, such as mopheads, rags or clothing are to be thoroughly rinsed in a bleach and water solution or washed separately in hot water. Thorough hand-washing with soap and water is also advised.

A continuous education program about the AIDS virus will be developed by school staff specifically for all employees of the school district.

New developments in AIDS research will be shared with school staff members through district publications.

The school district will keep abreast of new developments in AIDS research in view of modification of policy as needed.

Source: Broken Arrow Board of Education policy adoption, December 21, 1987; modified, January 9, 1989. (3-92)