POL-09 — Infection Control Policy

Standard precautions assume that any person may carry an infection and take steps to prevent transmission regardless. These precautions apply in every session — not only when an infection is known to be present.

Document reference	POL-09
Version	v1.0
Status	Current — Authoritative
Applies to	All CONVI workers in all support settings
Review cycle	Annual

1. Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene is the single most effective infection control measure. Workers must:

Wash hands with soap and water for minimum 20 seconds: before and after personal care, after contact with body fluids, after removing gloves, before handling food, and before and after medication assistance
Use alcohol-based hand sanitiser (minimum 60% alcohol) when soap and water are not available
Not wear hand jewellery (rings, bracelets) during personal care activities
Keep fingernails short and clean

2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE Item	When Required
Disposable gloves	All personal care (toileting, bathing, wound care), contact with body fluids, handling soiled linen or items. Gloves are single-use — never wash and reuse.
Apron / gown	Where splashing of body fluids is possible during personal care
Surgical mask	Where the participant has a known respiratory infection, or where CONVI has directed staff to wear masks
Eye protection	Where splashing to face is possible during clinical care activities

Remove gloves before touching non-contaminated surfaces. Wash hands after removing gloves.

3. Sharps Safety

Workers rarely encounter sharps in disability support settings. If a participant uses insulin pens, lancets, or other sharps:

Never recap a needle after use
Participants who self-administer are responsible for their own sharps disposal
A sharps container must be provided by the participant's medical team
Needlestick injury: wash immediately with running water, do not squeeze, report to Director immediately, seek medical advice same day

4. Body Fluid Spillage

Put on gloves
Absorb spill with disposable paper towel and dispose in sealed bag
Clean surface with household detergent and water
Disinfect with diluted bleach solution (1:10) or appropriate disinfectant
Remove gloves and wash hands thoroughly

5. When Not to Work — Worker Health

Workers must not attend work if they have symptoms of an infectious illness that could be transmitted to a vulnerable participant. This includes:

Fever (temperature above 37.5°C or subjective fever)
Diarrhoea or vomiting — do not return until 48 hours symptom-free
Symptoms of COVID-19 or other notifiable respiratory illness
Active cold sore (herpes labialis) — avoid contact around participant's face or food
Any open, weeping skin lesion on hands or arms — cover adequately or do not attend

Never attend a session when unwell to "push through." Participants with disability or complex health needs are often immunocompromised. An infection that is mild for a support worker can be serious for a participant.

Workers who are unwell notify the Director as early as possible on the day of the shift so rescheduling arrangements can be made. Workers are not penalised for staying home when unwell.

6. Participant Illness

Where a participant is unwell at the start of or during a session:

Assess whether it is safe to continue the session based on the nature of the illness
For respiratory symptoms: apply mask, maintain hand hygiene, discuss with participant whether to continue
For gastrointestinal symptoms: use PPE for all personal care, heighten hand hygiene
Document participant illness in session notes and notify Director where significant
Do not leave a participant who requires support without an alternative arrangement confirmed

7. Equipment & Environment

Participant equipment is cleaned in accordance with manufacturer instructions
Shared equipment between participants is disinfected between uses
CONVI workers do not use personal care items shared between participants

8. Outbreak Management

Where a notifiable disease or significant outbreak is identified affecting a participant or household: the Director is notified immediately, the Director assesses risk and may issue enhanced PPE requirements or suspend sessions, workers follow current health department guidance, and participants and families are informed of any changes to service delivery.

9. Training

All CONVI workers complete infection control training as part of induction (at minimum, the NDIS-required infection control online unit) and annually thereafter. Workers who deliver personal care or high-intensity supports receive additional practical training.

POL-09 | v1.0 | May 2026 | Convi Pty Ltd (ACN 677 127 703) as Trustee for Attard Family Australia Trust | ABN 60 342 025 267

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