SNHD Employee Exclusion 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A food handler tells their manager they have been diagnosed with Hepatitis A. The manager must:
- Restrict the employee to washing dishes
- Exclude the employee from the establishment (Correct answer)
- Allow them to work if they wear double gloves and a mask
- Tell them to take the day off and return tomorrow if they feel better
Correct answer: Exclude the employee from the establishment
A diagnosis of Hepatitis A, one of the 'Big 6' foodborne illnesses, requires mandatory exclusion from the food establishment. The employee cannot work in any capacity and may only return with clearance from a doctor and the health authority.
Question 2: An employee has a sore throat and a fever. Under which condition must they be EXCLUDED from the establishment, rather than just restricted?
- If they work in a fast-food restaurant
- If they handle money at the cash register
- If the establishment serves a highly susceptible population (Correct answer)
- If they have been employed for less than 90 days
Correct answer: If the establishment serves a highly susceptible population
While a sore throat with fever typically requires restriction, it requires exclusion if the employee works in a facility that serves a highly susceptible population (e.g., a nursing home, hospital, or daycare center) due to the increased risk of severe illness for these groups.
Question 3: Which of the following symptoms requires a food handler to be EXCLUDED from the food establishment?
- A persistent cough or sneeze
- An uncovered, infected wound on the arm
- Jaundice (Correct answer)
- A sore throat with no fever
Correct answer: Jaundice
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) is a primary symptom of Hepatitis A and requires immediate exclusion from the establishment. The employee cannot return without clearance from the health authority.
Question 4: A food handler must be excluded from the establishment if they are experiencing diarrhea or which other key symptom?
- Headache
- Vomiting (Correct answer)
- Fever
- Fatigue
Correct answer: Vomiting
Vomiting and diarrhea are two key symptoms of gastrointestinal illness that require immediate exclusion. The employee cannot return until they have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours or have a medical release.
Question 5: A diagnosis with which of the following pathogens requires EXCLUSION from the food establishment?
- Influenza virus
- Rhinovirus (common cold)
- Shigella spp. (Correct answer)
- Streptococcus pyogenes (strep throat)
Correct answer: Shigella spp.
Shigella spp. is one of the 'Big 6' pathogens (along with Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Salmonella Typhi, Nontyphoidal Salmonella, and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli) that are highly infectious and require mandatory exclusion.
Question 6: An employee has a small, infected cut on their finger. What is the correct procedure for them to be able to handle food?
- They cannot handle food until the cut is fully healed.
- Cover the cut with a clean, dry bandage.
- Cover the cut with an impermeable bandage and a single-use glove. (Correct answer)
- Restrict them to non-food handling duties for the day.
Correct answer: Cover the cut with an impermeable bandage and a single-use glove.
An infected wound on the hand must be covered by an impermeable cover (like a waterproof bandage) and then a single-use glove must be worn over it. This double barrier prevents any pathogens from the wound from contaminating food.
Question 7: When can a food handler who was excluded for vomiting or diarrhea return to work?
- As soon as they feel better
- After being symptom-free for at least 24 hours (Correct answer)
- After 7 days, regardless of symptoms
- Only with written approval from the health authority
Correct answer: After being symptom-free for at least 24 hours
For symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea, a food handler can typically return to work once they have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours. A doctor's note may also be required by the establishment or health authority.
SNHD Employee Exclusion 1
A food handler tells their manager they have been diagnosed with Hepatitis A.
The manager must: