The Top 10 OSHA Violations in Dentistry and How to Avoid Them

by Caitlin Denison, BS, RDH

1. Failure to Provide Appropriate Training

Dental offices often fail to provide adequate training, including bloodborne pathogens and hazard communication training. This training is essential for ensuring staff understand potential risks and safety protocols.

How to Avoid: Schedule annual training sessions and document employee participation. Bloodborne pathogens training is required every 365 days. Hazard communication is required annually in some states. Be sure to document training attendance and topics covered.

2. Not Having an Exposure Control Plan

The exposure control plan is a required document that outlines how the practice protects employees from bloodborne pathogens. This is an essential document that must be updated annually and made readily available for employees to view.

How to Avoid: Create and maintain a detailed exposure control plan, review it annually, and train employees on its location and contents.

3. Mishandling Exposure Incidents

Failure to properly manage incidents of exposure to infectious materials can result in serious health risks to employees, as well as regulatory action.

How to Avoid: Establish clear protocols for handling exposure incidents, including immediate reporting, evaluation, and follow-up procedures. Select a post-exposure clinic for employees ahead of time.

4. Lack of Documentation of Hepatitis B Vaccination for Employees

OSHA mandates that employers provide employees who could be exposed to bloodborne pathogens with the hepatitis B vaccination free of charge.

How to Avoid: Keep accurate records of employee vaccination status and offer the vaccine to all eligible staff at no cost. If an employee declines the vaccine, document their declination by having the employee sign Appendix A of the bloodborne pathogens standard.

5. Not Having a Hazard Communication Program

The hazard communication program is a required document that explains how employees are informed of, and protected from hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

How to Avoid: Develop a written hazard communication plan, maintain an inventory of hazardous chemicals, and provide training to all employees.

6. Missing Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Safety Data Sheets provide critical information about hazardous chemicals and must be accessible to all employees.

How to Avoid: Ensure that SDS for all chemicals used in the office are available in a centralized location and updated as needed.

7. Not Labeling Secondary Containers

It is the responsibility of the practice to label any secondary containers of chemicals. For example, if you pour isopropyl alcohol from its original container into a smaller bottle, you must label the smaller bottle.

How to Avoid: Label all secondary containers with the name of the product (ensure that this matches the name on the SDS) and the hazards of the product.

8. Mishandling Sharps

Improper sharps handling, such as overfilled sharps containers or transporting sharps in inappropriate containers, can lead to injuries.

How to Avoid: Regularly empty sharps containers before they become overfilled and ensure that contaminated sharps are transported in containers that are leak-proof and puncture-proof on all sides.

9. Not Using Safety Glasses

Safety glasses must be worn when performing tasks that could cause splash, spatter, flying debris, or other hazards affecting the eyes.

How to Avoid: Require all employees to wear safety glasses during procedures and provide comfortable, ANSI-compliant options.

10. Not Using Utility Gloves

Utility gloves must be worn when handling contaminated sharps and when handling certain chemicals.

How to Avoid: Provide durable utility gloves and train staff on their proper use for cleaning and disinfection tasks.

Conclusion

Compliance with OSHA standards is not just about avoiding fines—it’s about ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone in your dental practice. Regular training, proper documentation, and proactive measures can help you maintain a safe and compliant work environment. By addressing these common violations, you’ll foster a culture of safety and professionalism that benefits both your team and your patients.

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