An employee suspects someone has an infectious disease. To whom should they report first?

• A. Company Officer
• B. Health and Safety Officer
• C. Director/Fire Chief
• D. Incident Commander

Answer: (A)

When a worker suspects an infectious disease, the first step is to report to the person in their immediate chain of command—the Company Officer. This ensures the concern is addressed quickly within the supervisory structure, so proper safety protocols can be activated, appropriate medical guidance can be arranged, and documentation can be started right away. The Company Officer can determine the necessary next steps, including notifying the Health and Safety Officer if needed, coordinating medical evaluation or testing, and implementing any immediate precautions to protect others. The Director or Fire Chief handles broader leadership and strategic decisions, not the initial report of a health concern. The Incident Commander is responsible for managing on-scene incidents; unless there is an active incident, they wouldn’t be the first contact for a suspected infectious disease. Reporting to the Company Officer keeps the process efficient and ensures the issue is handled within the established safety and command structure.