Emergency Service Workers

Emergency Service Workers (ESW) are at an increased risk of exposure to infectious diseases. The risk of exposure can be reduced with the implementation of proper health and safety programs designed to protect workers from infectious diseases. The role of the Designated Officer in such programs is essential.

As part of the Health Unit’s role in supporting our area Designated Officers, the resources listed below are available to you. These resources will assist the Designated Officer in assessing and managing exposures to infectious diseases to protect the health of the workers and to prevent further spread of infectious organisms. The Health Unit will not gather information from the ESW who was exposed; this is the role of the Designated Officer/supervisor.

Mandatory Blood Testing Act

To qualify, the exposed person (referred to as the applicant) must apply to the Medical Officers of Health at the local Public Health Unit where the source resides.

The applicant must have come into contact with a bodily substance from the source (referred to as the respondent) in any of the following circumstances:

• As a results of being a victim of crime,
• While providing emergency health services or emergency first aid to the person, or
• In the course of his or her duties, if he or she belongs to an identified group of individuals, including:
  • Members of the College of Nurses of Ontario,
  • Members of the College of Physician and Surgeons of Ontario, Medical students in training,
  • Firefighters (including volunteer),
  • Paramedics and emergency medical attendants,
  • Persons, who are employed in a correctional institution, place of open custody, or place of secure custody,
  • Police officers, civilian employees of a police service, or
  • First Nations constables and auxiliary members of a police service.

The documents required by the Mandatory Blood Testing Act are to be submitted to the Medical Officer of Health in the respondent’s local Public Health Unit no more than 30 calendar days after occurrence.  If forms are not completed and provided to the Medical Officer of Health within this time period, the Mandatory Blood Testing Act process cannot proceed.

Additional Information on the Mandatory Blood Testing Act:

• Government of Ontario – Mandatory Blood Testing Act Mandatory blood testing | ontario.ca
• Mandatory Blood Testing Act Forms Ontario Central Forms Repository - Form Search Results (gov.on.ca)

Steps to Take Following a Blood or Body Fluid Exposure

1. Report Exposure to your Designated Officer or Supervisor
2. Follow the What To Do Next...After an exposure to potential blood borne infections
3. Complete the Designated Officer Incident Exposure Report Form
4. If the exposed person wishes to pursue the Mandatory Blood Testing Act, Form 1 – Physician Report AND Form 2 – Applicant Report must be completed and submitted to the respondent’s local Public Health Unit no more than 30 calendar days after the occurrence. These forms can be found at: Ontario Central Forms Repository - Form Search Results (gov.on.ca)

Note:  If completing the Mandatory Blood Testing Act Forms, the designated officer does not need to complete the GBHU Incident Exposure Report form.

Designated Officer Training

• Ontario Public Services Health & Safety Association offers a 1 day training course for emergency service workers who wish to become the designated officer within their organization.

• Ontario Public Services Health & Safety Association provides a Designated Officer Program review/evaluation for your organization to complete.