Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: OTHER

NYSLL Article 2, Section 27a(3a)(1): The employer did not furnish to each of its employees, employment and a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to its employees and which will provide reasonable and adequate protection to the lives, safety or health of its employees. In applying this paragraph, fundamental distinctions between private and public sector employment has been recognized. (a) At the Town of Berlin Highway Department, employees, during the performance of their assigned duties, are exposed to the hazard of contracting Lyme Disease while working in tick habitat areas identified as having a high or moderate risk of harboring the tick vector of Lyme disease. This hazard is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control in their June 4, 1999 publication, "Recommendations for the Use of Lyme Disease Vaccine, Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices". This hazard is not likely to cause death but, is likely to cause substantial illness and impairment if not identified and treated promptly. Reasonable and adequate methods to abate this hazard include, but are not limited to: Implement an educational program for employees with exposure which includes the signs and sumptoms of Lyme Disease infection, the importance of seeking immediate medical attention, self inspection for attached tick at the conclusion of each work day when exposure to tick habitat occurred, the proper method of removal of attached ticks, proper clothing for work in tick habitat, proper use of repellants and insecticides, and the risks and benefits of vaccination against Lyme Disease. Make available vaccinations to employees assigned work duties which exposes them to tick habitat in accordance with the current Centers for Disease Control Guidelines.