OSHA vs. WISHA for Dental Offices: What’s the Difference?

Since the industrial revolution, the government and various organizations banded together to improve and ensure the health and safety of workers and their workplaces. Like any healthcare provider, the nature of dental work exposes workers to risks not commonly encountered at other job sites like supermarkets and banks. The various risks increase the need and importance of enforcing health and safety litigations within such services.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) covers all careers and workplaces in the US. They set the national standards for health and safety protocols, covering topics from proper communication practices to equipment handling. Each state can decide whether to follow OSHA verbatim or create its own OSHA-approved safety plan. WISHA is one of the enacted state plans that follows and amplifies OSHA regulations specifically set for Washington state. So what’s the difference between OSHA and WISHA for dental offices?

What Is WISHA?

The Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) sets state-specific regulations covering the health and safety of all employees and workplaces in Washington state. It is administered by the Department of Labor and Industries and the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). Like OSHA compliance, WISHA compliance is mandatory for all workers and workplaces. WISHA establishes the bare minimum workplaces must adhere to for compliance. Failure to meet any of their set standards leads to repercussions such as fines.

Similarities and Differences

WISHA regulations mirror and implement many of the acts and standards stated in OSHA compliance. Many of the topics covered in OSHA carry over to WISHA as “Core Rules.” Both regulate health and safety topics pertaining to bloodborne pathogens, record keeping, ionizing radiation, electrical safety, workplace violence prevention, and other major safety protocols. The biggest differences between the two include WISHA’s accident prevention program (APP), hazardous drug exposure, and various documentation and labeling changes. WISHA’s protocols include more stringent requirements and some hazards not listed by OSHA.

WISHA and OSHA Compliance

Like OSHA, WISHA compliance is mandatory. Compliance involves training, certification, and evaluation. Since many of the same topics are covered between OSHA and WISHA, most of the dental OSHA training carries over to WISHA compliance. Evaluations also differ slightly. Some of the documents required and the following repercussions vary between WISHA and OSHA. WISHA requires all employees to show proof of Hepatitis B immunization and a written exposure control plan on top of training certification. Failure to show proof of either leads to a $3000 penalty.

Both OSHA and WISHA aim to create and promote safe and healthy workplaces. As a dental office, the biggest difference to note between OSHA and WISHA is the added requirements and specified topics to the general OSHA plan and that WISHA only pertains to those in Washington State. Complying with WISHA and OSHA ensures your dental clinic operates under the best practices that benefit both your employees to your clients.