Key OSHA Standards
When John Goins, OSHA Compliance Officer, Industrial Hygienist from the Rhode Island Office spoke on March 17th at the meeting hosted by our Ocean State Chapter, he gave us a list of Key OSHA Standards as well as OSHA Compliance Assistance Contacts.

Here is his list of Standards:

    • The OSHA Poster (OSHA-3165) – must be posted where employees can read – order online (https://www.osha.gov/pls/publications/publication.searchResults?pSearch=law)
    • Hazard Communication Standard – Every employee has the “right to know” what they are working around- hazardous materials must be identified and employees must be educated about those hazards so they can detect the hazard, protect themselves and find safety and health information on the materials (Safety Data Sheet “SDS”)
    • Ionizing Radiation – Workplace must be surveyed to identify the types of radiation used and:
      • Establish restricted areas
      • Identify restricted areas and equipment with caution labeling
      • Continuously monitor employees working in those areas of radiation exposure
      • Educate employees on hazards and how to protect themselves
    • Bloodborne Pathogens – establish an exposure control plan that identifies employees who are at risk of exposure and educate them on how to protect themselves
      • Control exposure to contaminated sharps
      • Practice universal precautions
      • Provide for pre and post exposure precautions
      • Control of regulated wastes
  • Emergency Exit / Emergency Action Plan
    • Ensure that employees can exit building safely
    • Mark and maintain exit routes
    • A method to account for everyone once outside
    • Train employees and review regularly
  • Electrical Safety
    • Ensure that electrical equipment is in good working repair and properly serviced
    • Allow only properly trained service people to work on electrical equipment
    • If flammable substances are used, make sure that equipment in use is appropriate for hazardous locations
  • Exemptions
    • Dentist offices are exempt from keeping OSHA 300 logs (Does not mean that you can’t or shouldn’t)
    • MUST still report (1904 Appendix B)
      • Fatalities
      • Overnight hospitilazations
      • Amputations
      • Loss of an eye
    • Must provide employees with a reasonable procedure for reporting occupational injuries and illnesses

 

OSHA Compliance Assistance US Department of Labor, OSHA

Online https://www.osha.gov

Dentistry – Safety and Health Topics Page https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/dentistry/index.html

RHODE ISLAND Providence Area Office 401-528-4669  https://www.osha.gov/oshdir/ri.html John Goins, Compliance Officer 401-528-4053  goins,john@dol.gov

Rhode Island Department of Health Radiation Control Program Charma Waring 401-222-4249  charma.waring@health.ri.gov

OSHA Consultation Program 401-222-7745
MASSACHUSETTS Jim Mulligan OSHA Area Director Braintree Area Office 639 Granite St Braintree, MA 02184 617-565-6924  https://www.osha.gov/oshdir/ma.html

American Industrial Hygiene Association https://www.aiha.org/about-ih/Pages?Find-an-Industrial-Hygienist.aspx

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