Lester M. Lubitz, D.D.S.

Richard E. Lamping, D.D.S.

2005 New Find!

Medical and dental offices are not required to keep OSHA injury and illness records. There is an exemption for employers with 10 or fewer employees as well.

May 2002

Nedlestick and Prevention Act

• Employers must select safer needle devices as they become available
• Employees should be involved in identifying and choosing the devices.

Go to CDC's website for further information:

www.cdc.gov/oralhealth

  Click here to link to OSHA's website  

Engineering Controls

  On November 5th 1999, OSHA updated the directives regarding engineering controls and proper work practice controls.   They require that employers have a comprehensive employer program that includes engineering controls such as needleless devices, shielded needle devices and the use of plastic capillary tubes.  

They noted that significant improvements in technology are evident in the market of safer memdical devices that minimize control or prevent exposure incidents.

 

Proper Work Practices

  They emphasized again the importance of proper handling and disposing of sharps.  

On the topic of extracted teeth, they fall under the containerization and labeling provision, which states that they must be put into a clearly labeled container, closable, leak-proof and puncture resistant.   If extracted teeth are given to patients they would not fall under this provision.