Dental
Depending on the task, examples of safety hazards that can harm workers in dental offices include:
- Biological pathogens (e.g., bloodborne pathogens in saliva)
- Exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials (e.g., liquid or gas sterilants, nitrous oxide gas, metal alloys, methyl methacrylate, silica)
- Awkward postures, repetitive motion, and other physical stressors
- Pressurized containers (e.g.,autoclaves, gas cylinders)
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Flying debris
Rules
- Core Rules (Chapter 296-800, WAC)
- Bloodborne Pathogens (Chapter 296-823, WAC)
- Globally Harmonized System for Hazard Communication (Chapter 296-901, WAC)
- Hazardous Drugs (WAC 296-62-500)
Enforcement Policies
- Tuberculosis Control in Health Care Settings (DD 11.35)
Training Materials
Publications, Handouts, Checklists
- Control of Nitrous Oxide in Dental Operatories (CDC/NIOSH)
- Infection Control in Dental Settings (CDC)
- Occupational health hazards in a prosthodontic practice (NIH.gov)
- Preventing Adverse Health Effects From Exposure to Beryllium in Dental Laboratories (OSHA)
- Preventing Needle-stick Injuries and the Use of Dental Safety Syringes (WorkSafeBC)
- What Dental Technicians Need To Know About Silicosis (New Jersey DOH)
- Whether dental anesthetic carpules are considered to be “contaminated sharps” or “regulated waste” (OSHA)