In this lesson you practise the rules on typical situations. The examples are invented. They are meant to show how the rules work together.
Case 1: Diarrhoea in the morning
Lea works in the kitchen of a canteen. In the night she had diarrhoea several times; in the morning she feels better.
- There is a suspicion of infectious gastroenteritis. That is enough for the ban.
- Lea must inform her employer at once and may not go into the kitchen.
- She sees a doctor and says that she works with food.
- She clarifies with the doctor when she may work again, and if needed with the local health office (Gesundheitsamt) as well.
Case 2: The test result without symptoms
Murat works in a butcher's shop. He had diarrhoea on holiday. A doctor tests a stool sample and finds salmonella. Murat feels healthy again.
- He excretes germs. The ban under § 42 (1) no. 3 of the Infection Protection Act (Infektionsschutzgesetz, IfSG) applies even without symptoms.
- He must report the result to his employer.
- The employer must remove him from the activities concerned.
- The Gesundheitsamt can allow exceptions if measures are taken that can prevent transmission. The business does not decide this.
Case 3: The cut
Sven cuts his finger slightly while preparing vegetables. The wound bleeds briefly but is clean.
- He treats the wound and covers it with a waterproof, clearly visible plaster.
- If needed, he wears a glove.
- If the area later becomes red, swollen or weeping, it may be infected. Then he reports it and does not work with unpackaged food.
Case 4: The talk in the kitchen
A colleague says: "I had diarrhoea yesterday, but I'm not saying anything, or we'll be short of staff."
- That is not an option. The work ban applies, and reporting is a duty (§ 43 (2) IfSG).
- Anyone who keeps quiet puts others at risk. An employer who notices must act at once (§ 43 (3)).
- A lack of staff is no reason to ignore the law.
Case 5: A temporary worker in an ice cream café
A temporary worker is to scoop ice cream for a weekend.
- Ice cream is one of the foods under § 42 (2).
- A first instruction by the Gesundheitsamt is required before starting work. The certificate must not be older than three months (§ 43 (1)).
- This course does not replace it.
- The employer's follow-up instruction must also take place and be documented.
Case 6: Every two years
The business last instructed Anna two years ago. A new instruction is due.
- The employer must carry it out and document it (§ 43 (4)).
- The employer can have Anna complete a course like this one. Whether and how the employer uses it as the follow-up instruction is the employer's decision. The documentation remains the employer's task.
- The employer keeps the latest documentation and has it ready for inspections (§ 43 (5)).
Case 7: The flatmate with a stomach bug
Jonas's flatmate has severe diarrhoea; he himself has no symptoms.
- For Jonas himself, the ban applies only if an obstacle exists in his case (illness, suspicion, excreting germs).
- But he should take particular care to wash his hands and, if in doubt, ask a doctor or the Gesundheitsamt.
- If he develops symptoms himself, the rule applies again: report, and do not work with food.
In conclusion
The most important rule in all cases: ill, suspected of illness, or with germs in the stool means: stay away from unpackaged food, report at once, get it clarified by a doctor.