15A ncac 18a .1324      EMPLOYEES

(a)  While at work, all institution employees shall wear clean outer clothing. Employees shall wash or decontaminate their hands as set forth in Paragraph (b) immediately:

(1)           before beginning work;

(2)           after each visit to the toilet;

(3)           before and after resident contact;

(4)           after coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or disposable tissue, using tobacco, eating, or drinking; and

(5)           after removing gloves.

(b)  Institution employees shall wash their hands as required by Paragraph (a) of this Rule in a handwashing sink using the handwashing method required for food employees in Part 2-301.12 of the Food Code incorporated by reference at 15A NCAC 18A .2650 as amended by 15A NCAC 18A .2652. When an employee's hands are visibly clean, in lieu of handwashing, the employee may use alcohol-based hand antiseptics that contain 65 percent or more ethyl alcohol or 70 percent or more isopropyl alcohol. In the event of interruption of the institution's water supply or when handwashing facilities are not available for use, hand decontamination can be achieved by using a towelette containing detergent followed by an alcohol-based hand antiseptic that contains 65 percent or more ethyl alcohol or 70 percent or more isopropyl alcohol.

(c)  Institution employees shall comply with the requirements for exclusion from work and restriction due to communicable disease or illness required for food employees as set forth in Parts 2-201.12 and 2-201.13 of the Food Code incorporated by reference at 15A NCAC 18A .2650 as amended by 15A NCAC 18A .2652.

(d)  The institution shall have gloves, personal protective equipment, disinfectant, individual disposable towels, and a coagulating agent on-site for employees to use and a written procedure for employees to follow when responding to vomitus or fecal matter on institution surfaces. The procedure shall specify the actions that employees shall take to minimize the exposure of employees, residents, guests, food, and additional surfaces to vomitus or fecal matter.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A-4; 130A-29; 130A‑235;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Readopted Eff. December 5, 1977;

Amended Eff. March 1, 2003 (see S.L. 2002-160); September 1, 1990;

Readopted Eff. December 1, 2022.