--- title: How to Avoid Dental Practice Fines for OSHA Violations description: There are many ways a dental practice can be out of OSHA compliance. Leslie Canham explains some of the most common ones that can lead to big fines. image: https://blog.patientprism.com/hubfs/Blog/Featured%20Images/LeslieCanham-OSHAfines.png --- - [Contact](https://patientprism.com/contact/) - [Patient PrismLOGIN](https://web.patientprism.com/) [![Patient Prism | Healthcare Lead Tracking Software](https://blog.patientprism.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024_Patient-Prism_Logo_Blue.png?width=800&height=247&name=2024_Patient-Prism_Logo_Blue.png "Patient Prism | Healthcare Lead Tracking Software")](https://blog.patientprism.com/hubfs/PP-Logo-2024.png) - Product - ![](https://patientprism.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Patient-Prism-Product-Overview-@2x.png) ### [Product Overview Learn more about Patient Prism's key features and benefits](https://patientprism.com/product-overview/) - ![](https://patientprism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Patient-Prism-Case-Studies@2x.png) ### [Case Studies Learn how Patient Prism transforms dental practices](https://patientprism.com/case-studies/) - ![](https://patientprism.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Patient-Prism-Dental-Practice-Customers@2x.png) ### [Customers Discover the amazing dental practices that utilize Patient Prism](https://patientprism.com/customer/) - Solutions - ### [Private Dental Practice Our software is perfect for single dental practices. 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Visit our help center for quick answers and tutorials.](https://support.patientprism.com/hc/en-us) - ![](https://patientprism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Affiliate-Program@2x.png) ### [Affiliate Program Be a part of Patient Prism's growing network of affiliates.](https://patientprism.com/affiliates-program/) - [Contact](https://patientprism.com/contact/) - [Patient Prism LOGIN](https://web.patientprism.com/) - [Schedule Demo](https://patientprism.com/schedule-demo/) Patient Prism's Dental Industry Blog Here you'll find hundreds of articles and video interviews with dental industry experts on the topics of DSO and practice growth, dental software, call-tracking technology, patient experience and artificial intelligence fueling the dental industries ability to treat more patients and change lives. - by: Leslie Canham, CDA, RDA, CSP - 6 min read # [How to Avoid Dental Practice Fines for OSHA Violations](https://blog.patientprism.com/fines-for-osha-violations) - [Dental Practice Leadership](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-practice-leadership) - [Dental Technology](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-technology) - [AI Call Intelligence (1)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/ai-call-intelligence) - [Dental Call Tracking (23)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-call-tracking) - [Dental Marketing (33)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-marketing) - [Dental Practice Leadership (192)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-practice-leadership) - [Dental Technology (71)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-technology) - [DSO (42)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dso) - [Multi-Practice Growth (95)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/multi-practice-growth) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/facebook-logo%20(2).svg)Share](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.patientprism.com%2Ffines-for-osha-violations) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/twitter%20(5).svg)Tweet](https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.patientprism.com%2Ffines-for-osha-violations) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/linkedin-logo%20(2).svg)Post](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.patientprism.com/fines-for-osha-violations) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/envelope%20(1).svg)Mail](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.patientprism.com/fines-for-osha-violations) March 2019--OSHA expert and dental practice consultant Leslie Canham has seen many citations issued to dental practices. But, she says, the citations aren’t the problem. Not having the right safety protocols in place is the real issue. Here are some examples of common concerns that can carry big fines.   One dentist who didn’t train his team about his bloodborne pathogen exposure control plan and didn’t have a plan documented in writing was fined a whopping $53,000. He also didn't have a documented hazard communication plan for keeping team members safe when working with chemicals, and his team had not been trained on proper protocols.  Whether you are in private practice, group practice, or a dental service organization (DSO), as a leader in the practice, it is your responsibility to have the right safety protocols in place and documents.    ## Common Mistakes Lead to OSHA Violations - Maybe team members don’t wear all the protective attire (PPE), including gloves, safety glasses, face mask, and clinical jacket.  - Maybe the practice fails to provide medical evaluation to team members who were exposed to a patient’s blood or body fluid.  - Maybe the practice fails to have all employees sign a form if they choose not to have the Hepatitis B series of shots.  - Maybe the practice fails to make the Hepatitis B series available to employees within the first ten days of employment. - Maybe the practice fails to have a documented blood pathogen exposure control plan. - Maybe the practice fails to have a documented chemical hazard exposure plan. - Maybe the practice fails to provide a safe physical environment with proper safety equipment. - Maybe the practice fails to train the team on proper safety protocols. ## Why You Want to Comply with OSHA Safety Regulations Obviously, you want to comply with OSHA to avoid penalties to avoid penalties and poor reputation, but the more important part about being prepared for an OSHA inspection is making sure that your team is safe. It’s not enough for the dentist to know the protocols and the plan; the dental team needs to know it, too. Not only are dental team members at risk for hazardous chemical and blood pathogen exposure, but you and your patients are, too. 1. Keep team members and patients safe. 2. Avoid medical care and documentation necessitated by pathogen exposure and other safety hazards. 3. Avoid penalties. 4. Maintain your good reputation. ## Training the Dental Team About OSHA Safety Protocols & OSHA Compliance When you conduct OSHA training in a practice, you can use your OSHA manual, go through the steps methodically, and know you have all the information you need right there. The OSHA manual outlines what you need to be aware of, what you need to document, and where you need to keep the printed action plans, consent forms, and medical records. That way, the dental team will be prepared to take appropriate, safe action and also be prepared for an OSHA inspection with the required documentation on file. As new team members come into a practice, it's a process, just like tax forms. You must set up a new team member for the OSHA requirements. Complacency occurs over time, so annual OSHA training of the entire team is required. This training increases safety and confidence. It provides for a culture of safety precaution and prevention. Fewer errors will occur. OSHA can ask for up to three years of training records. Team members appreciate and deserve this. Bloodborne pathogen training must be conducted every 12 months, and typically takes about an hour if you go through all the steps and are familiar with the OSHA manual. You can make it a lunch and learn, so it's really not that overwhelming. ## Free Training Videos for Patient Prism Customers Leslie Canham has provided one-hour videos on bloodborne pathogen training and hazard communication free-of-charge for Patient Prism customers. Look for these training videos with detailed information and illustrations in [Patient Prism Academy](https://academy.patientprism.com/). Learn about more related resources on [LeslieCanham.com](https://www.lesliecanham.com/).  [![Schedule a Patient Prism Demo with Brenton Paul](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3321879/e1446252-1677-4ab5-a324-628c0b4fab63.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3321879/e1446252-1677-4ab5-a324-628c0b4fab63) ### Share Post: - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/facebook-logo%20(2).svg)Share](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.patientprism.com%2Ffines-for-osha-violations) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/twitter%20(5).svg)Tweet](https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.patientprism.com%2Ffines-for-osha-violations) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/linkedin-logo%20(2).svg)Post](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.patientprism.com/fines-for-osha-violations) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/envelope%20(1).svg)Mail](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.patientprism.com/fines-for-osha-violations) ##### [Previous Article](https://blog.patientprism.com/3-kyes-to-scaling-up-dso) ### [3 Ways to Scale Your Dental Service Organization](https://blog.patientprism.com/3-kyes-to-scaling-up-dso) ##### [Next Article](https://blog.patientprism.com/linda-miles-testimonial) ### [How this Dental Software Can Improve Your Patient Scheduling, Marketing and More](https://blog.patientprism.com/linda-miles-testimonial) ![shape](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/shape.svg "shape") #### Subscribe to our blog for the latest updates ![Sign Up For Patient Prism Dental Newsletter](https://blog.patientprism.com/hubfs/images/icons/Sign%20Up%20For%20Patient%20Prism%20Dental%20Newsletter.png "Sign Up For Patient Prism Dental Newsletter") By submitting this form you will be receiving our latest updates on post. We're committed to your privacy. Patient Prism uses the information you provide to us to contact you about our relevant content, products, and services.  You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time.  - Recent - Popular [Dental Practice Leadership](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-practice-leadership) ##### [Bulletproof: Patient Prism Equips Private Dentists to Compete with DSOs](https://blog.patientprism.com/bulletproof-patient-prism-equips-private-dentists-to-compete-with-dsos) [Dental Practice Leadership](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-practice-leadership) ##### [Bulletproof: Did a New Patient Call and Then Fail to Schedule? 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