Choosing a Safety Coordinator for Your Practice

Every practice needs a person who is in charge of keeping the practice OSHA-compliant and safe. This person needs to be onsite at the practice for most of the time when the practice and/or specific location is open. Choosing a Safety Coordinator can be more efficient with these guidelines.

Multiple Locations Require Multiple Safety Coordinators

For example: if you are a practice that has multiple locations open at the same time, you’ll need to find one safety coordinator per location. If OSHA were to drop by unannounced, they are going to ask to see your safety coordinator. If OSHA hears “he/she doesn’t work at this location,” or “he/she is only here on Thursdays,” that won’t satisfy.

Choosing the Right Person

You want to put someone in that position who will have the time and attention to do it correctly. The Safety Coordinator should have a great understanding of how each facet of the practice works.

As far as what to look for when choosing a Safety Coordinator, we would recommend these skills and qualities:

• Proficient with understanding and working with computers and computer programs/filing; comfortable with internet and navigating through websites and information.
• Self-directed and capable of working independently.
• Ability to create and maintain reports and policies.

Primary duties for a Safety Coordinator coincide with their skills and qualities. Look for someone who could do the following well:

Compliance Policies and Guidelines

• Prepare, review, and update compliance policies, plans, procedures, and practices, including manuals, standard operating procedures, and checklists to comply with OSHA and CDC guidelines.
• Maintain an up-to-date collection of OSHA regulations and CDC guidelines pertinent to a dental/medical office.
• Maintain a Work Exposure Control Plan and Hazard Communication Plan.

Hazard Assessment and Equipment Maintenance

• Conduct hazard assessments and maintain appropriate PPE in the correct sizes.
• Maintain quality control records, including equipment maintenance and monitoring logs for sterilizers, ultrasonic devices, and automatic washers.

Records and Documentation

• Compile the Safety Data Sheets and create an inventory.
• Maintain OSHA-required medical records for employees.
• Maintain exposure incident reports in a confidential manner.

Training and Education

• Provide training on hazardous chemicals.
• Train new hires and organize annual training.
• Organize and ascertain attendance of employee training on infection control, prevention, and safety management.

Work Practices and Safety Controls

• Review work practice restrictions for exposure or infection.
• Understand work practice and engineering controls.
• Understand the selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Safety Product Evaluation

• Research new safety and infection control products.
• Organize the evaluation of safer medical devices and documentation.

Fire and Emergency Preparedness

• Verify the fire extinguisher is in working order monthly and arrange for an annual inspection.
• Create and maintain fire and emergency plans.
• Display escape routes and emergency numbers.

Waste Management and Labeling

• Conduct a waste management assessment.
• Receive training on handling waste as a generator.
• Ensure proper biohazardous labels, chemical ID labels, and other safety signage.

Program Oversight

• Assess employees’ adherence to program elements.

Staying OSHA Compliant

When you go about choosing a Safety Coordinator, you have created an ally and strengthened your practice as a team. Your practice can look forward to better and more OSHA-compliant days that can give you ease of mind.

Have any questions?