OSHA compliance for dental offices: what's in the kit

Exposure control plan

OSHA requires a written exposure control plan from each employer with an employee who has occupational exposure 29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(i). In a dental office, saliva in dental procedures counts as potentially infectious material 29 CFR 1910.1030(b).

The plan includes the exposure determination: the job classifications and tasks with exposure 29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(2). It also includes how your office meets the rule's methods of compliance, vaccination, training and recordkeeping, and how you look into an exposure incident 29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(ii). Staff must be able to get a copy 29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(iii).

Hepatitis B forms

You must offer the hepatitis B vaccine at no cost to each employee with occupational exposure, after training and within 10 working days of initial assignment 29 CFR 1910.1030(f)(1)(ii)(A), (f)(2)(i). An employee who declines signs the Appendix A statement 29 CFR 1910.1030(f)(2)(iv). The kit has the declination form with the exact wording, and a record of vaccination status and dates 29 CFR 1910.1030(h)(1)(ii)(B). You can also print the free declination form now.

Exposure incident report

After an exposure incident, you must make a confidential medical evaluation and follow-up available right away. Its first element is documentation of the route of exposure and the circumstances 29 CFR 1910.1030(f)(3). The report form records these for the healthcare professional.

Training records

Each record holds the dates of the training, its content or a summary, the names and qualifications of the trainers, and the names and job titles of the people trained 29 CFR 1910.1030(h)(2)(i). You keep each record for 3 years from the training date 29 CFR 1910.1030(h)(2)(ii).

Written program and chemical list

OSHA requires a written hazard communication program at each workplace. It describes how you meet the rules for labels, safety data sheets and training, and it includes a list of the hazardous chemicals present 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1). The list uses the product identifier from each safety data sheet 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i).

Safety data sheet index

You must have a safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical you use 29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(1). Staff must be able to reach them during each work shift. Electronic access is allowed if staff keep immediate access 29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8).

Workplace labels

Each container of a hazardous chemical needs a label with the product identifier and its hazards 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6). A portable container for the immediate use of the person who fills it is exempt from labeling 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(8). Labels must be in English 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(10).

You need these plans when an OSHA standard requires one 29 CFR 1910.38(a) 29 CFR 1910.39(a). One example: if your office has fire extinguishers that staff are not meant to use, the extinguisher rule shrinks to inspection, maintenance and testing only when you have both plans 29 CFR 1910.157(a).

Each plan must be in writing, kept in the office, and available to staff. An office with 10 or fewer employees may give the plans to staff orally 29 CFR 1910.38(b) 29 CFR 1910.39(b). We give you both plans in writing either way.

The emergency action plan covers how to report an emergency, how to leave the building, how to account for everyone, and who to contact for more information 29 CFR 1910.38(c). The fire prevention plan lists your major fire hazards and how they are controlled, and names who maintains the equipment 29 CFR 1910.39(c).

Every employer must post the OSHA poster where notices to employees are usually posted 29 CFR 1903.2(a)(1). The poster is free from OSHA osha.gov/publications/poster. The kit tells you where to get it, or your state plan poster, and where to put it.