A food worker has an earache a few hours before he is scheduled to work. What is he required to do?
a. No action required
b. Ask a coworker to cover his shift
c. Report the symptom to his manager
d. Ask for duties other than preparing food Mark question for review?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is c. Report the symptom to his manager.
Explanation:
When a food worker experiences an earache, or any other symptoms that may indicate an illness or potential infectious condition, it is critical for both the safety of the worker and public health that the situation is handled appropriately. Food safety regulations and guidelines, such as those established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and local health departments, emphasize the importance of workers reporting any signs of illness that could be passed onto food products or customers.
An earache could be a symptom of an underlying infection, such as an ear infection, sinus infection, or even a more contagious condition like the flu or common cold. If left unaddressed, it could lead to cross-contamination or the spread of illness within the workplace, particularly in environments where food is handled. The best course of action is to report the symptom to a manager or supervisor immediately. This allows the manager to evaluate the situation and determine if the employee should be excluded from working directly with food or if a medical evaluation is needed.
As part of food safety and health regulations, it is important for food workers to inform their employers of any symptoms that could affect their ability to work safely. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the worker may need to take time off or seek medical advice. Asking a coworker to cover the shift (option b) or requesting different duties (option d) might seem like a quick fix, but it does not address the underlying concern of potential illness, and could still pose a health risk to others.
Ultimately, the most responsible and safest action is to report the symptom to the manager, who will then ensure that proper precautions are taken. This protects both the worker and public health.