Infectious Disease Control

In alignment with it’s continued commitment to the health and wellness of employees and visitors, Dow Aero (“Company”) has developed extensive infectious disease control policies and procedures in an effort to limit the spread of illnesses. The Company will take proactive steps to protect the workplace — and workforce — in the event of an infectious disease outbreak and will strive during any such period to:

  • Provide a safe working environment to employees and visitors within the workplace;

  • Provide authoritative information about the nature and spread of infectious disease outbreaks, including symptoms and signs to watch for and any required preventative steps that are to be taken; and

  • Ensure that all essential services are continuously provided and operated effectively.

Select here for specific policies and procedures that are in-place for COVID-19 >

Types and Symptoms of Infectious Diseases

Diseases that may transfer from person-to-person include, but are not limited to:

  • AIDS or AIDS-Related Complex (ARC);

  • Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19);

  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV);

  • Influenza (Flu);

  • Leprosy;

  • Measles;

  • Pink Eye (conjunctivitis).

  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS);

  • Tuberculosis; and

  • Viral Hepatitis-A (Infectious Hepatitis) or Viral Hepatitis-B (Serum Hepatitis).

Symptoms of infectious diseases include, but are not limited to:

  • Coughing;

  • Extreme Fatigue or Tiredness;

  • Fever (100.4° F (37.8° C) or Greater);

  • Headache;

  • Muscle Aches;

  • Nausea, Vomiting, and/or Diarrhea;

  • Runny or Stuffy Nose;

  • Shortness of breath; and

  • Sore Throat.

The Company may choose to broaden this definition within its best interest and in accordance with information received through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma County Health Department, along with other appropriate medical and government agencies.

Preventing the Spread of Disease Carrying Microorganisms

How They Spread

Disease carrying microorganisms, or more simply known as germs, are generally a particular strain of bacteria or virus that may enter and infect the nose, throat, lungs, eyes, or other areas within an individual. These microorganisms may easily be transmittable from person-to-person when an infected individual:

  • Coughs or sneezes without covering their nose or mouth;

  • Touches an infectious area on their body, then touches another person or common surface; or

  • Distributes bodily fluids to other people.

How to Prevent the Spread

  • Stay Home, Rest, and Consult a Health Care Provider As Necessary

    • Keeping your distance from others can prevent the spread of an illness and improve your body’s response to an infectious disease.

    • Eligible Full-Time employees are allotted a specific amount of Wellness Leave they may use in these situations, along with other acceptable paid time off (PTO) types.

  • Cover your Mouth and Nose when Sneezing or Coughing

    • Cough or sneeze into a tissue and discard the tissue appropriately.

      • Cover your cough or sneeze with your shoulder or the other side of your elbow if you do not have a tissue available.

    • Wash your hands every time you cough or sneeze.

  • Clean Your Hands Often

    • When available, wash your hands with soap and warm water, then rub your hands vigorously together to scrub skin surfaces.

      • Wash for twenty (20) seconds.

        • Soap combined with the scrubbing action helps dislodge and remove germs.

    • When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used.

      • If using a gel, rub into your hands until dry.

        • The gel does not need water to work.

          • The alcohol in the gel kills most germs, but it is still not as effective as washing your hands with soap and water.

  • Avoid Touching Your Eyes, Nose, and/or Mouth

    • Microorganisms are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches their eyes, nose, and/or mouth.

      • Germs can live for long periods of time on surfaces like doorknobs, desks, and tables. 

  • Do Not Eat, Drink, Apply Cosmetics or Lip Balm, or Handle Contact Lenses within a Work Area As Appropriate

  • Practice Other Good, Healthy Habits

    • Drink plenty of fluids;

    • Eat nutritious foods;

    • Remain physically active;

    • Get plenty of sleep;

    • Avoid tobacco products;

    • Limit excessive consumption of alcohol; and

    • Manage stress.

Preventing the Spread of Infection in the Workplace

The Company will ensure a clean workplace, including the regular cleaning of objects and areas that are frequently used, such as:

  • Bathrooms;

  • Break Areas;

  • Conference Rooms; and

  • Door Handles.

Select here for enhanced cleaning procedures >

The Company's Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) and Human Resources (HR) departments will be designated to monitor and coordinate events around an infectious disease outbreak, as well as to create policies and procedures that could be implemented to promote safety through infection control.

We ask all employees to cooperate in taking steps to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases in the workplace. The best strategy remains the most obvious:

  • Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue, or with your elbow or sleeve, whenever you sneeze or cough;

    • Discarding used tissues in wastebaskets;

  • Frequently wash your hands with warm, soapy water (especially immediately after you sneeze or cough); and

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers will be provided throughout the workplace in common areas as supplies exist and are available for purchase.

Unless otherwise notified, the Company’s normal attendance and leave policies will remain in place. Individuals who believe they may face particular challenges reporting to work during an infectious disease outbreak should take steps to develop any necessary personal contingency plans. For example, employees might want to arrange for alternative sources of child care should schools close and/or speak with their direct manager or supervisor about the potential to work from home temporarily or on an alternative work schedule. 

Limiting Travel

All nonessential travel should be avoided during an infectious disease outbreak. Employees who travel as an essential part of their job should consult with their direct manager or supervisor on appropriate actions. Business-related travel outside the United States may not be authorized until further notice during these situations. 

Employees should avoid crowded public transportation when possible during an infectious disease outbreak. Alternative scheduling options, ride-sharing resources, and/or parking assistance may be provided on a case-by-case basis. Contact the Company’s Human Resources (HR) department for more information as necessary.

Telecommuting 

Telecommuting requests shall be handled on a case-by-case basis. While not all positions will be eligible, all requests for temporary telecommuting should be submitted by employees to their direct manager or supervisor for consideration.

Select here to view more information about the Company’s Telecommuting policies and procedures >

Staying Home When Ill 

Many times, with the best of intentions, employees report to work even though they feel ill. The Company provides paid Wellness Leave and other benefits to compensate employees who are unable to work due to illness.

Select here to view more information about the Company’s Time Off policies and procedures >

During an infectious disease outbreak, it is critical that employees do not report to work while they are ill and/or experiencing infectious disease symptoms. Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people with an infectious illness, such as influenza (flu), remain at home until at least twenty-four (24) hours after they are free of fever (100.4° F (37.8° C) or higher), or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Employees who report to work ill will be sent home in accordance with these health guidelines. 

Physical Distancing Guidelines for Workplace Infectious Disease Outbreaks

In the event of an infectious disease outbreak, the Company may implement the following social distancing guidelines to minimize the spread of the disease amongst employees. 

During the Workday, Employees Shall: 

  1. Avoid meeting people face-to-face. Employees are encouraged to use telephone, online conferencing, along with email or instant messaging services to conduct business as much as possible, even when participants are in the same building. 

    • If a face-to-face meeting is unavoidable:

      • Minimize the meeting time;

      • Choose a large meeting room;

      • Sit at least three (3) — preferably six (6) — or more feet from one another other if possible; and

      • Avoid person-to-person contact such as shaking hands.

  2. Avoid any unnecessary travel and cancel or postpone nonessential meetings, gatherings, workshops, and training sessions. 

  3. Avoid congregate in work rooms, pantries, copier rooms, or other areas where people socialize. 

  4. Bring lunch from home and eat at your desk or away from others (avoid lunch areas and crowded restaurants). 

  5. Encourage members and others to request information and orders via electronic communication services in order to minimize person-to-person contact.

    • Have the orders, materials, and information ready for fast pick-up or delivery. 

Outside Activities

Employees could be encouraged to the extent possible to: 

  1. Avoid public transportation (walk, cycle, drive a car) or go early or late to avoid rush-hour crowding on public transportation. 

  2. Avoid recreational or other leisure classes, meetings, activities, etc., where employees might come into contact with contagious people. 

Communicable Diseases

The Company’s decisions involving persons who have communicated that they possess an infectious disease(s) shall be based on:

  • Current and well-informed medical judgments concerning the disease;

  • Risks of transmitting the illness to others;

  • Symptoms and special circumstances of each individual who has a communicable disease; and

  • Careful weighing of the identified risks and the available alternative for responding to an employee with a communicable disease. 

The Company will not discriminate against any job applicant or employee based on the individual having a communicable disease, nor should applicants and employees be denied access to the workplace solely on the grounds that they have a communicable disease. However, the Company reserves the right to exclude a person with a communicable disease from workplace facilities, programs, and functions if the organization finds that, based on a good-faith medical determination, such restriction is necessary for the welfare of the person who has the communicable disease and/or the welfare of others within the workplace, including those that are at higher risk for severe, adverse health complications (i.e. older adults and persons with chronic medical conditions). Excluded employees may be required to gather clearance from a licensed physician in writing before being able to return to work.

The Company will comply with applicable statutes and regulations that protect the privacy of persons who have a communicable disease. Every effort will be made to ensure procedurally sufficient safeguards to maintain the personal confidence regarding any persons who have communicable diseases.

Requests for Medical Information and/or Documentation

If you are ill, or show symptoms of being ill, it may become necessary to request information from you and/or your health care provider. In general, the Company would request medical information to:

  • confirm your need to be absent;

  • to show whether and how an absence relates to the infection; and

  • to know that it is appropriate for you to return to work.

As always, we expect and appreciate your cooperation if and when medical information is sought. 

Confidentiality of Medical Information 

The Company’s policy is to treat any medical information as a confidential medical record. In furtherance of this policy, any disclosure of medical information is in limited circumstances with supervisors, managers, first aid and safety personnel, and government officials as required by law.

Pandemics, Epidemics, or Emergencies

In the event of an active infectious disease pandemic, epidemic, or emergency within the regions or countries in which the Company does business within, the Company has prepared general guidelines to respond to such situations. Understand that in the event of an actual infectious disease pandemic, epidemic, or emergency, the Company will prepare to initiate a proper plan for the specific situation that is in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or other health organizations recommendations. These may include:

  • Increase frequency of routine cleaning of commonly touched surfaces in the workplace.

    • i.e. workstations, countertops, and doorknobs.

  • Supply additional disinfectant supplies to employees for workplace use.

    • i.e. disposable wipes, sprays, etc.

  • Provide further emphasis on employees remaining at home if they or a household member is feeling ill and unwell.

  • Expand awareness of management on the presence of a potential illness, with elevated action to require employees to return home if presenting symptoms of an illness.

  • Implement flexible scheduling and multiple shifts to limit the number of employees needing to be within close proximity of each other.

  • Institute work-related travel restrictions and limit attendance of events where large groups of people may gather.

  • Reduction of face-to-face internal meetings, with increased use of video/audio conferencing services.

    • i.e. Teams, WebEx, etc.

  • Enact social distancing requirements for employees to regularly maintain a distance of six (6) feet or greater from one another in the workplace.

  • Require use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

    • i.e. surgical face masks, eye protection, gloves, etc.

  • Waive departmental and individual requirements to gather clearance from a licensed physician in writing before being able to return to work in situations where healthcare facilities become strained, as healthcare provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely manor.

Additional Information

For more information about infectious diseases visit www.cdc.gov or call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Information Hotline at 1.800.CDC.INFO (1.800.232.4636). You may also find additional details about other specific diseases from:

View changes to this policy?

Have a question?