Questions Your Dental Office Is Too Afraid To Ask About OSHA

Like any healthcare office, dentists are expected to maintain a hygienic and safe environment for their patients and staff. A clean and well-hygienic practice minimizes emotional and physical concerns. For many, going to the dentist is already a very daunting idea. The last thing any patient wants to think about while getting their teeth checked out is where else that dental probe has been and what germs call it home?

One federal agency ensuring sanitation and quality work protocols is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Their goal aims to enforce health and safety standards in workplaces through training, education, outreach, and assistance. As a dental office, you might be familiar with OSHA, or you might have heard the term before. Whether you are a new practice trying to make sense of all your requirements or a veteran office with lingering uncertainties, you probably have some inquiries about OSHA. Here are some questions your dental office is too afraid to ask about OSHA but needs to know.

Is OSHA Training Mandatory?

OSHA training is mandated for all dentist offices in the United States. Since dental offices lead to exposure to certain germs like bloodborne and saliva pathogens, the department of labor requires all dentist offices to comply with OSHA. To become OSHA compliant, you must provide quality dental OSHA training and documentation. Proper OSHA training courses issue completion certifications for your legal records.

Are All Employees Required OSHA Training, or Just Dentists?

All employees are required to complete some form of OSHA training. Even jobs that don’t directly contact blood or saliva, like receptionists, must undergo training. Along with specific infection and disease prevention protocols, OSHA instructional courses cover other mandated standards that apply to everyone working in the office. The other general customs highlighted in lessons include:

• Adequate labeling
• Fire safety
• Emergency plans
• Violence prevention
• Electrical safety
• Protective equipment
• Radiation hazards

Is There a Difference Between Federal and State OSHA Plans?

State Plans are state-administered job safety and health programs. They can sometimes differ from regular federal OSHA plans. State Plans still adhere to the minimal requirements implemented by the department of labor, but they can additionally include stricter protocols and regulations pertaining to local needs. Some State Plans only comply with government-owned practices, while private offices follow basic OSHA plans. All State Plans have to be OSHA-approved before being enacted.

Are OSHA Regulations the Same in Every State or Country?

As mentioned above, all states must follow the minimal OSHA requirements set by the agency. However, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, each state is allowed to administer its own specific safety and health programs. This means some states have additional protocols added to their training and regulations. States with very specific plans for their location are California, Michigan, Oregon, and Washington. Since the US legal system created OSHA regulations and acts, it only applies to all the fifty states, District of Columbia, and US jurisdictions.

Is OSHA Training Required Annually?

OSHA training certifications only last a year, meaning that you need to administer training each year. One of the primary reasons for this annual renewal is that the OSHA regulations can be updated and changed each year. Such practices like label formatting and documentation processes often change regularly. Another reason training occurs annually is that repetitive and renewed training sessions ensure people stay educated on the protocols, provide any necessary updates, and guarantee actual implementation. If any safe and healthy protocols aren’t meeting federal standards or being put into action, your office could face hefty repercussions during federal-regulated inspections.

How Does the Department of Labor Ensure Implementation of Protocols?

Major OSHA inspections are mandated to occur every twelve months, without notice and by a federal compliance officer. More visits may be required if compliance officers receive complaints or hold suspicions of hazardous work protocols. During inspections, officers inspect and note trip hazards, hygiene, equipment, safety gear, documentation, and other protocols that are supposed to be mandatorily implemented.

How Severe Are the Repercussions?

Violations to OSHA regulations are categorized in four different sections: willful, serious, repeated, and other-than-serious. All violations lead to citations with further mandated actions and a hefty fine. Some fines can total up to $136,532 per violation, while other repercussions could also lead to imprisonment.

What Are the Four Types of Violations?

• Willful – These violations occur when the person in question knowingly failed to comply with regulations, actively did not care about employee safety, or both.
• Serious – Serious violations stem from workplace hazards that can lead to serious physical harm or death.
• Repeated – If your business receives multiple citations for the same issues or previously noted in the history records, then you have a repeated violation.
• Other-Than-Serious – Any other hazards or compliance failures that don’t lead to severe injuries or death get categorized as other-than-serious violations.

Is In-Person Training Necessary?

OSHA training courses can be taken online or in person. Since every employee needs an OSHA-compliant certification, larger businesses often opt for online courses so everyone can train at their own time without having to coordinate numerous schedules. However, onsite training offers numerous benefits, from having an in-person guide to ensuring that all employees undergo training. As long as you receive a valid certification at the end of your training, you can choose any type of course.

Reading through the OSHA act can be overwhelming and confusing to many, which is why proper training sessions explain and break down regulations in a manner that’s comprehensible for all to follow. Taking specific dental OSHA training lessons will also help provide you with the necessary regulations that pertain to your particular field, eliminating unnecessary protocols that don’t apply to your occupation.

Gamma Compliance Solutions offers both onsite and online training courses for various healthcare occupations. Plus, on the Gamma Solution blog, you can stay educated and find out more information on all things related to OSHA and its protocols. With the proper training courses and answers to some of the top questions your dental office is too afraid to ask about OSHA, your dentist business is on its way to being a safe, healthy, and successful operation.

Questions Your Dental Office Is Too Afraid To Ask About OSHA