Tag Archives: OSHA Employee Training

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Dentists Loose $39,000 During (1) OSHA Inspection Visit! How Will Your Practice Stand Up to The Same Measures…?

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It can happen so unsuspectingly:  A quick-to-boil, disgruntled employee; An impulsive, disenchanted patient; And a simple phone call to OSHA.   One overlooked OSHA protocol– that leads to another– and then a third (as in this case).  The loose ends added up quickly when the OSHA Inspector began measuring this tally!

A Compliance Audit, like this one,… can quickly precipitate  disaster for the dental office, unaware of new changes in:  Infection Control , Required Waste & Recycling Containers & Dental Chair Unit Water Quality Regulations.  Oversights may be seemingly innocent: “We didn’t know that rules had changed”, “We are only a few months past-due for our OSHA Training Course” & “We just were not paying attention.”  Comments like these, should never be uttered by dental personnel nor touch an OSHA Inspectors ears.

Yet this incident, unassuming, well-intentioned dental office received (3) costly OSHA violations due to:  admitted negligence and obliviousness.  OSHA takes non-compliance seriously!  A major win for the OSHA Inspector; A $39,780 mistake for the (practice owner), Dentist.  Read on to discover how to avoid this plight and get your office on the road to comprehensive OSHA success!…

Did you know, that every January, www.osha.gov  & the Department of Labor Agencies, publish their new Penalty Increases.  Take a look at the 2019 “price-you’ll-pay” for ignoring to the 100+ Safety Protocols currently required to be operational in your dental office:

Type of Violation Penalty
Serious &
Other-Than-Serious

 $13,260 per violation
Failure to Abate $13,260 per day beyond the abatement date
Willful or Repeated $132,598 per violation
https://www.osha.gov/penalties/

The Penalties Inflation Adjustment Improvement Act of 2015 established an “Allowable Increase Rule” that lets these agencies adjust their assessed penalty levels, upward, every year.  And they do just that!  Since 2015, it seems OSHA & the DOL slap-on an average 10% increase to exceed the prior year’s average penalty rates. 

This year, the OSHA penalties will start at $13,260 per violation.  In addition, the maximum penalty allowed for “failure-to-abate” violations are $13,260 – that’s for every day that an employer fails to abate (1) specific violation!  Finally, the maximum penalty allowed for “willful or repeated” violations is $132,598!   This is 10 times the maximum permitted for “serious” & other-than-serious” violations.  These fees, undeniably, would be astounding and threatening to any dental practice.

What’s the cure?…

Get “in-the-know”!  Stay “in-the-know”, about current & evolving OSHA laws.  Make sure to include (3) components to build a truly comprehensive OSHA Program within your office: Annual Employee Compliance Training, All Required Paperwork & Up-to-Date Facility Protocols…

Incorporate Annual OSHA Employee Training for all employees. Be sure to include full-timers & part-timers; clinical as well as non-clinical employees.   Currently there are (45) Required OSHA Learning Point that should be covered in this year’s Annual OSHA Training.

Apply what you learn in your facility!  There are over 100 protocols to set up within your facility. Set your plan into action!  Its best to work with compliance trainers that provide a “recap” of your training in report format.  Then make sure you can reach your Trainers for additional guidance, clarification and support as you set up your protocols.  Getting the assistance during your set-up phase will be a critical key to your success.

Don’t forget the paperwork!  OSHA inspectors will check for required OSHA documents first!  When entering your office, they will want to see required documents, that are up-to-date.  Be sure to include:   Employee Forms & Acknowledgements, OSHA Manual written to GHS & Current CDC Infection Control Standards & new OSHA / GHS SDS Sheets in (2) varying formats.     

What do you do now?:  Get compressively compliant–then stay comprehensively compliant!   How?  Align with a compliance resource that provides “a relationship” along with your training, manuals, forms & protocol checklists.  One that you can reach out to 24/7 for guidance, clarification and updates.  We suggest this ALL IN ONE DXL Program.  It provides everything, plus, 24/7 access to Dental OSHA & HIPAA Coaches that become part of your team’s success.  It the relationship package.  And one of the best rated in the industry.

Need more guidance?  Contact an OSHA / HIPAA Coach for a confidential Discovery Meeting by calling 941-587-2864 or email us, anytime.  We are happy to help!

Featured, OSHA

Top 10 things you do not want to say to an OSHA inspector

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Not sure if you are aware but many States are hiring additional OSHA Inspectors for more penetration into the workplace.   Dental Offices are especially being profiled.

In recent months several dental offices have been made examples of for gross negligence in infection control processes.  New Hampshire Orthodontist and Oklahoma Oral Surgeon.  Now let’s focus on what you would never want to say to an OSHA Inspector:

 

1.     “Shoot, I don’t think our autoclave is working today.  Can we just use bleach on the instruments?”

 

2.    “What do you mean I can’t wear my dirty scrubs home.  I wear them to the grocery store after work all the time.”

 

3.    “Hold on a second, I have to run this dirty needle down the hall to the sterilization area.”

 

4.    “Where is my Big Red Bag?  I have a big red beach bag at home, is that what you mean?”

 

5.    “Yes, we always drink coffee up here at the front desk, and I keep snacks right here in this drawer for convenience.”

 

6.    “What do you mean we have to do these Spore Strip Tests Weekly?”

 

7.    “What do you mean we have to send these Spore Strip Tests out to a Third Party for evaluation, we do that all in-house!”

 

8.    “GHS Certified?, No we don’t have that. We are CPR Certified!”

 

9.    “We do not have Pictograms, but Suzie got a Pajam-a-gram for her birthday at the office last week!”

 

10.  “OSHA — Sm-OSHA, we have patients to see around here. We don’t have time for that.”

 

So much for poking a little fun at the regulations.  Seriously, many dental offices do not know where unsafe behavior starts and where compliance begins!  Don’t be caught unprepared or looking uneducated.  Saying that you are unaware of the laws will only infuriate most OSHA Inspectors.  Make sure you choose an OSHA Compliance Training Company that will help you get all regulations in place.  Choose one that will help you with understanding the laws, implementing all of the requirements and that is available for direct questions you may have when putting your protocols in place.

 

Say what you need to say to Mr. OSHA Inspector, but say it with confidence and conviction.

 

Written by Jill Obrochta & Heather Whitt of Dental Enhancements.

 

 

 

 

Featured, OSHA

Dental office: OSHA- what paperwork is required?

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Are you the lucky one that is in charge of OSHA compliance for your office? If you are, then where to begin with the required paperwork can leave your head spinning! Keep in mind, there is a lot of paperwork required beyond the proof-of-annual-training certificate that your employees need to sign. Let’s take a look at what else is required to be comprehensively compliant:

 

As of December 1, 2013, an additional module to OSHA called The Global Harmonization System (GHS) requires additional training and paperwork for all of your employees. GHS is an international chemical safety program. GHS Certification is now a required part of your OSHA paperwork. Also, all employees should sign forms with their risk of occupational exposures categorized, and rated by professional position. OSHA manuals are also due to be updated, and written to GHS Standard. Are you confused, maybe a little intimidated? You want to do the right thing, but where do you turn?

Rather than try to figure out and find the paperwork yourself, finding a reliable, knowledgeable OSHA compliance company will take the burden off of you completely. This one decision in hiring the right OSHA experts can be the single, most important decision you can make regarding your offices’ OSHA compliance. You’ll want to look for a company that can supply all forms and training needs so you can do what you do best, dentistry!

All of the Dental Enhancements products and services come with guided attention from one of our OSHA/GHS experts and you get all necessary forms customized for your team and in electronic format. (Microsoft Word and PDF).

Paperwork: you either have too much or can get caught with not having enough. Don’t risk it! Call Dental Enhancements and get on the right paper trail!

 

Written by Jill Obrochta and Heather Whitt of Dental Enhancements

 

 

Featured, News and Blog, OSHA

Top 10 items to have ready for any OSHA inspection

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 Make sure you are prepared for Mr. OSHA inspector. These are the top 10 things that most OSHA inspectors will look for:

       1.   Your annual OSHA employee proof-of-training certificate

       2.   Other OSHA required paperwork and records

       3.    Proof of GHS Training Certificate

       4.   Biohazard receipts (for the past 3 years)

       5.   3rd party Spore Strip Test Reports

       6.    Updated OSHA Manual written to GHS (Global Harmonization System) Standard

       7.   Small red bag in every operatory

       8.   Small red sharps container in every operatory

       9.   All team have access to and should be wearing long sleeved labcoats

     10.    No food or drink outside of designated break room

Of course there are many other areas of OSHA compliance. Best practices would be to hire a competent OSHA compliance training company that will make your office compliant in these 3 areas:

1.   Annual OSHA employee training

2.   All required paperwork and manuals

3.   Customized Facility Report

You will also want to have ongoing communication with their OSHA experts. Our favorite program is the Initial Annual OSHA Employee Training Package or the All in One OSHA Training Package.

Don’t be caught unprepared, make sure your training company has your back.

 

Written by Jill Obrochta and Heather Whitt of Dental Enhancements

News and Blog, OSHA

Dental Office: Is Free OSHA Really Worth It?

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We’ve all been there:  The Supply Rep brings in a decadent sandwich tray, you are eyeing the chocolate chip cookies, wondering if it’s worth the indulgence.  Then you decide, you really must munch on something sweet just to tolerate the next 45 minutes of OSHA yammering!  Is the free lunchtime OSHA really worth it?

Well, let’s face it:  Free is free. And while you may get a review of safety laws and the convoluted requirements of OSHA, nothing free really amounts to much.  Especially, when the OSHA Inspector shows up at your dental office ready to shoot holes through your Free OSHA Compliance Program.  (Uggh… Agida!  <hick-up>)

Let’s avoid the belly-aching and review the proper, comprehensive way to set up your OSHA Compliance Program.  A really good OSHA Compliance Program will have (3) components. Don’t leave any of these out:

1.   Have an Annual OSHA Employee Training Session

A proper OSHA Training Session requires you review and fully understand up to (23) areas of compliance.  Make sure you have a certificate that references all 23 areas and that all employees sign off on this.

2.  Obtain & Fill-Out All Required OSHA Employee Paperwork

There are (5) required forms for each employee to fill out.  Make sure your receptionists and part-timers are included in this paper fiasco too.  Everyone must comply.

3.  Make Sure Your Facility is up to Complete OSHA Compliance

Choose a compliance company that has expertise in all OSHA regulations for the dental office.  One that can offer a customized facility report for your office then help you get the recommendations into place.

So in the end, there really are no “free lunches”.  Get yourself aligned with an OSHA Training Company that provides the “whole enchilada”.  It’s easier on the palate and won’t come back up on you later.  <burrrp>

 

Written by Jill Obrochta & Heather Whitt of Dental Enhancements

 

Featured, News and Blog, OSHA

Dental Office OSHA- Do We Really Have to Train Annually?

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OSHA Training never brings a smile to your face. Thinking about this arduous task makes most of us cringe.  Seeing an OSHA Training Session, scheduled during your workday’s lunch hour is about as exciting as looking forward to doing your taxes.  Nonetheless, a necessary evil.

Not only is OSHA Employee Training required for your dental office to do annually, but every dental office employee is required to complete it.  This includes Receptionists, part-time employees, and even the Doctor!   If you pull a paycheck from the practice, you have to be there.  If you work at all within the office dwelling, you have to be there.

But let’s face it, not every employee may be able to attend the training in one set, given time.  What are you to do? Thanks to modern technology and more creative means of accomplishing training, select OSHA Training Companies can offer you the convenience of replicating or repeating your training session for absentee employees.  Even better, you should be able to obtain the training in a format that allows new-hires to train for free.

To accomplish this end, make sure to choose an Annual OSHA Employee Training Company that will provide the following:  Proof-of-Training Certificate, Handout for your Employees to Follow, Test of the Materials Presented, Live Instruction— either in person or better yet, via webinar and access to an OSHA Expert for future reference regarding questions, clarifications and access to important updates.

A 5-Star, Industry Rated program comes from Dental Enhancements. The Initial Annual OSHA Employee Training Package comes also with a 72-Point OSHA Safety Facility Report.  It is completed via the phone post-training session with one of your employees.  Recommendations for rectifying any Non-OSHA Compliant areas within your office are reflected in your customized report, making this program a superior OSHA training solution that most dental offices value.  It provides peace-of-mind for when an OSHA Inspector may “come-a-knockin” at your door.  Unlimited OSHA support—in the form of telephone or email access is also provided for one full year with this program.

Feeling inspired?  Much better huh?  So when you see that OSHA Training Session scheduled during your precious lunch hour now, you can smile not cringe.  It’s all about choosing the right OSHA Training coaches.  So, choose…Don’t snooze.  Don’t lose!

 

Written by Jill Obrochta & Heather Whitt of Dental Enhancements.