Ch25 Regulatory Agencies and OSHA Insepcitons

What law created OSHA and what is its purpose?

Occupation Safety and Health Act of 1970

• Protects employees from workplace hazards and authorizes OSHA inspections

What is OSHA?

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

• Regulatory agency protecting against physical, chemical, and infectious hazards 

What are OSHA’s main duties?

Establish and enforce protective standards to ensure worker safety and health

Define OSHA Standards?

Legally enforceable rules describing methods employers must follow to protect employees

What OSHA Standards apply to dentistry?

• Bloodborne pathogen

• Hazard communication

• PPE and Face Protection

• Emergency Action Plans

What is the General Duty Clause?

Employers must keep the workplace free of recognized serious hazards even when no specific OSHA standard exists 

List OSHA’s Inspection priorities in order

1. Imminent Danger

2. Catastrophes and Fatal Accidents

3. Complaints and Referrals

4. Targeted Inspections

5. Follow-up Inspections

What can OSHA do after receiving a complaint?

• Stage no inquiry

• Stage an inquiry

• Conduct an on-site inspection

What is an on-site inspection?

An unannounced OSHA visit to enforce standards usually after an employer fails to respond to an inquiry 

What are the 3 parts of an on-site inspection?

• Opening conference 

• Walk through 

• Closing conferance 

What should staff do during an OSHA inspection?

• Ask for credentials/warrant 

• Answer truthfully 

• Stay with inspector 

• Correct violations if possible 

• Be courteous and cooperative 

What can result from an inspection?

Citations and penalties for violations found

What are the types of violations?

• Willful violations: employee knew and didn’t correct

• Serious violation: caused a serious injury or death 

• Other-than-serious violations: affects employees safety or health 

• De minimis violation:  no direct or immediate relationship to safety or health 

• Failure to abate violation: did not correct a previously cited hazard 

• Repeated violation: similar hazard cited in past inspection still exist 

What is OSAP ?

Organization for Safety, Asepsis, and Prevention

• Non-profit of dental professionals that provides resources on infection control and occupational safety

What is the CDC?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Lead federal agency protecting public health using scientific data

What is the EPA?

Environmental Protection Agency 

• ensures safety and effectiveness of disinfectants 

What is NIOSH?

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

• Conducts research and makes recommendations to prevent work-related diseases and injuries