Quick Tips for the Dental Office
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Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA )
Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA )
All employers must display an OSHA poster ( Publication 3165 ) where it can be seen by all employees . The poster explains workers ’ rights to a safe workplace . Copies of the poster can be downloaded or ordered at no cost from OSHA ’ s website at www . osha . gov .
The three OSHA standards that are cited most often in the dental office are :
1 . Bloodborne Pathogens Standard , 2 . Hazard Communications Standard , 3 . General Safety Standard .
Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
Sets the standard for office procedures to prevent occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the dental office . Major components of the standard include :
• A written Exposure Control Plan .
• Exposure determination to identify employees covered by the bloodborne pathogens standard .
• Utilization of universal precautions to prevent contact from blood and other potentially infectious materials involved in patient care .
• Appropriate use of personal protective equipment .
• Use of Center for Disease Control Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health Care Settings as the standard for proper infection control practices in the office .
• Hepatitis B vaccination for all employees at risk for occupational exposure .
• Medical records for employees at risk for occupational exposure , including information about the employee ’ s hepatitis B vaccination status and any exposure incident reports .
• Training staff at the time of initial assignment as well as whenever changes in task occur , increasing risk for potential occupational exposure .
2021