What steps should an employer take when an employee is exposed to lice at work?

As with many other conditions, understanding the nature of the issue is the first step, and this will help determine what to do next. Often, people associate lice with bad hygiene, but lice are a very common problem, especially among children and those who are in frequent contact with children. Lice aren’t dangerous and don’t spread disease, but they are contagious and can be irritating. Their bites often cause an individual’s scalp to become itchy and inflamed. Continued scratching may lead to skin irritation and even infection.

Lice are spread mainly through head-to-head contact, but sharing clothing, bed linens and other items can spread them as well. In general, individuals most prone to catching lice are those who tend to have close physical contact with others.

If an employee has been exposed to lice at work, he or she should be referred to a physician for treatment. The physician can recommend the best course of action, such as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug or a medicated shampoo, cream rinse or lotion to kill the lice. Treating lice generally would not be covered under workers’ compensation. You may choose to allow the employee personal leave time to seek treatment based on the company’s leave policy. The employer should establish or refer to its policies for return-to-work criteria.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that most health departments do not require employers to report head lice. However, it may be prudent to send out a generic communication to employees via e-mail or handouts (if not all employees have access to e-mail), stating that there has been an incident of head lice reported in the office or facility. Explain that that the situation is unrelated to the cleanliness of the facility and encourage employees to begin treatment with OTC medications if they experience symptoms and to contact their health care provider for further instructions.

Common areas should be thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant. Most notably, conference rooms with high back chairs and designated nap areas should be disinfected. Of course, this should be done after the employees have left for the day or before they return in the morning.