Medical Office OSHA Training
The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires all workplaces to have safe, healthful working conditions. OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, formed after the act was passed in 1970. Medical settings can be very hazardous if employees are unaware of safety protocols. OSHA enforces strict standards on healthful working conditions. This is why it is important to conduct OSHA training in medical and dental offices.
OSHA Regulations for Medical Offices
Medical office OSHA training is designed to keep employees educated on current regulations. Medical settings deal with a substantial amount of hazardous materials and biohazards. Employers need to give employees clear direction on protocols and procedures to avoid OSHA violations. We have outlined some of the main OSHA regulations for medical offices. These apply to any medical facility that employs healthcare workers.
Hazard Communication Standard
In any medical setting, employers must have a clear hazard communication program set in place to let employees know about the potential chemical hazards they may come in contact with. The hazard communication must be clear, direct, and provided to every employee regardless of their department. Employees must know how to handle hazardous chemicals and what to do in case of injuries or accidents.
Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
OSHA requires medical offices to train employees on bloodborne pathogens. There can be significant health risks when handling bloodborne pathogens in the workplace. Employers must train employees on infectious diseases and blood transmission standards to ensure their safety.
Fire & Electrical Safety
You must outline both fire and electrical hazards in OSHA training for employees. Many employers get cited for electrical violations each year. Electrical safety is critical, as electrical mishaps can cause fires and electric shock. The OSHA electrical standards provide guidelines for the placement and design of electric wiring in the office.
Fire safety and prevention is another important standard set forth by OSHA. Employees must learn how to prevent fires in the workplace. They must also know the locations of fire extinguishers and fire alarms in the building and maintain a Fire Prevention Plan at all times.
OSHA Training for Dental Offices
OSHA standards do not directly reference dental offices. However, the dental staff will come in contact with many of the same hazardous materials as other healthcare workers. It is important to provide dental OSHA training in dental offices for all employees.
Hazard Recognition, Control, & Prevention
Dental staff is exposed to radiation and chemicals that could potentially be hazardous. You must provide hazard recognition, control, and prevention training to all employees in dental offices. All dental employees must be aware of common chemical and physical hazards to avoid safety problems.
There are adverse health effects from substances such as beryllium, which are heavily used in dental offices. Dental staff is also routinely exposed to blood, which facilitates the need for bloodborne pathogen training. The risks of bloodborne transmission are higher for dental personnel who perform or assist with oral surgery, periodontal maintenance, and sedative dental procedures.
Mercury, silica, and anesthetic gases are more hazards that employees must be trained on. The control of these substances is essential, especially during the waste process. OSHA dental office training will reduce the chances of violations regarding hazards.
Commonly Cited OSHA Standards
Dental offices are vulnerable to some common OSHA violations. Due to the extensive use of electrical and x-ray equipment, dental offices should ensure employees are current on OSHA standards.
All employees must be able to recognize common OSHA violations as they see them in the workplace. The failure to recognize OSHA standards falls on the employer, but mistakes can be avoided with high-quality OSHA training in your dental office.
DMI Solutions Medical Waste Transportation
At DMI Solutions, we work with medical and dental offices to safely dispose of medical waste and hazardous materials often correlated with OSHA violations in medical settings. We are diligent about OSHA training and ensuring compliance in all areas of our work.
Our team members are highly knowledgeable on OSHA standards for medical waste. We always ensure OSHA compliance and will work with your facility to transport medical waste safely. You never need to worry about the compliance of our medical waste procedures. Contact DMI Solutions for a quote for your facility today!