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OSHA Requirements for Dental Offices

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), created by Congress in 1970, develops and regulates workplace safety rules to protect employee health and safety. Aside from displaying an OSHA poster in the office, dental facilities must implement and follow OSHA standards to protect employees and reduce the risk of injury at the workplace.

  1. Hazardous Chemicals

    • According to OSHA, an estimated 650,000 hazardous chemicals currently exist, with hundreds of new ones added every year. Hazard Communication Standards (HCS) educate employees and employers about the hazards, precautions and side effects of chemical use and exposure. Dental offices must have a written HCS plan that lists the chemicals stored in the office, who handles the different portions of the plan, and where employees can access plan materials. The written plan must also describe how the dental office will meet OSHA's requirements regarding labels, warnings, material safety data sheets, employee training and information.

    Radiation

    • Ionizing radiation requirements define the types of radiation and safe levels of exposure. Dental employees have a right to work in an environment free from hazards that cause death or serious bodily harm. Employers must implement protective measures such as restricted x-ray areas, film badges and pocket dosimeters, and warnings in all x-ray rooms and on all x-ray equipment.

    Blood Exposure

    • OSHA compliant dental offices must have an updated written exposure control plan, provide employee training, and employ the use of universal precautions to prevent exposure to bloodborne pathogens. If exposure to a pathogen occurs, the dental facility must provide, at no charge to the employee, the hepatitis B vaccine and medical follow-up. The office must utilize color-coding or labels for waste receptacles used for needles, contaminated linens and certain testing specimens. Regulated waste must be properly contained and discarded.

    Escape Routes

    • All dental offices must have a comprehensive emergency evacuation plan and accessible escape routes in the event of a fire or emergency. An illustration of the escape routes must hang in a visible location within the dental office. OSHA evacuation requirements define the number, type and construction of emergency escape routes. For example, dental offices with one to three stories must contain 1-hour fire resistant materials. Exit doors must close automatically or without assistance upon activation of the fire alarm.

    Electricity

    • OSHA recognizes electricity as a major component in workplace hazards. Examining electrical equipment for visual signs of defects and ensuring that electrical wiring is properly insulated are just two ways to reduce employee exposure to threats such as electrocution, fires and explosions.

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