“If you should have known, you did know.”

Constructive Knowledge is a legal principle often invoked in cases of foodborne illness. The law views an operator responsible not just for what he or she actually knows, but what they should have known, discovered or perceived. In other words, ignorance is no defense. If you should have known, the law will assume that you did know.

For instance, if an employee spent a vacation in an area where hepatitis is endemic, the operator can be liable under constructive knowledge if the employee causes an outbreak of hepatitis A. The operator should know the health risks posed by his/her employees at all times.

Visit: Risk Management, Understanding the Law

Employee Screening Checklist:

1. Have all employees vaccinated for Hepatitis A.
2. Establish procedures that identify daily:
   • Allergies & skin conditions
   • Personal hygiene standards (nails, hands, hair, skin)
3. Establish hand wash regime that fits with employee workstation and personal profile. Visit: WIN Frequency Guide (Member Area)
4. Observe employees at work and note personal habits of risk. Adjust hand wash regime accordingly
5. Be diligent when employee has been absent from work
   • If ill, is recovery complete?
   • If traveling, to what areas (Hep A)?

Leadership Companies:

GlaxoSmithKline has a wide variety of vaccine products, including hepatitis A. For more information on our vaccine business please visit the GlaxoSmithKline Worldwide Vaccines website.

GlaxoSmithKline Endorsed by Handwashingforlife^®

The above chart demonstrates the effectiveness of implementing a vaccination program as paart of the Hands-On System.

A quick-look fact sheet, including a review of myths associated with hep A, is available for download, click here or below.