Risky Business: Laboratory Inspections Rise, What You Need To Know
Risky Business: Laboratory Inspections Rise, What You Need To Know
There was a 92 percent increase in the number of dental laboratories visited in 2009 compared to 2008 and they were primarily a result of complaints. That trend will most likely continue this year since our current presidential administration is well on its way to meeting its objectives for increased regulation for worker safety in the U.S.
Dental Laboratory Inspections in 2009
Dental laboratories are coded under the Standard Industrial Classification 8072. According to OSHA’s statistics that are available to you at www.osha.gov/oshstats, SIC code 8072 received 26 inspections in the calendar year 2009. That’s the number as of this writing so there may be some that have not been entered into the statistics at this time. A review of those complaints and planned inspections shows that the two main standards cited were hazard communication which is about chemical hygiene and the bloodborne pathogen standard which is about biological hazards. Most of the inspections were the result of a complaint filed against the laboratory. One inspection was a planned inspection.
If you’re inspected by OSHA, you should ensure that they have you classified in the 8072 SIC code. The correct classification is important so you aren’t classified under an industry, such as manufacturing, that may have a high injury rating. Some dental laboratories have been classified under the dental equipment manufacturer code. If you are, you need to see that it’s changed to 8072.
Looking Forward: Regulatory Priorities Set by OSHA
Last fall, OSHA published a list of its regulatory priorities for this fiscal year. This regulatory program demonstrates a renewed commitment to worker protection. The issues are numerous, however, the ones that would effect the typical dental laboratory are as follows:
- Occupational Injury and Illness Recording and Reporting Requirements (Musculoskeletal Disorders) Dental laboratories that fall under SIC code 8072 are partially exempt at this time on the rules regarding Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. Dental laboratories in the states of Minnesota, Washington, Nevada and Hawaii are not exempt. OSHA plans to revise the OSHA 300 form to restore a column on the OSHA 300 injury and illness log where employers will check when recording work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The MSD column was removed from the OSHA 300 log in 2003.
- Crystalline Silica Workers in dental laboratories are exposed to airborne silica dust in operations where there is mixing and grinding sand and stone products. These operations include porcelain build up, investing, divesting, polishing with pumice and sandblasting. This type of respirable silica dust can cause lung disease, silicosis and lung cancer. This rulemaking will update existing permissible exposure limits and establish additional provisions to protect workers from exposures to respirable crystalline silica dust. OSHA plans to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in July 2010.
- Hazard Communication Standard - Global Harmonization System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals The following is quoted from an OSHA publication: OSHA and other U.S. agencies have been involved in a long-term project to negotiate a globally harmonized approach to informing workers about chemical hazards. The result is the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). OSHA is revising its hazard communication standard to make it consistent with the GHS. The new standard will include more specific requirements for hazard classification, as well as standardized label components which will provide consistent information and definitions for hazardous chemicals and a standard approach to conveying information on material safety data sheets. On Sept. 30, OSHA published the proposal and is preparing for hearings in March.
- Beryllium Beryllium is a lightweight metal that has a wide variety of applications. It is used in many dental laboratories. The following is quoted from an OSHA publication: Chronic beryllium disease occurs when people inhale beryllium dust or fumes and can take anywhere from a few months to 30 years to develop. The disease is caused by an immune system reaction to beryllium metal, and causes symptoms such as persistent coughing, difficulty breathing upon physical exertion, fatigue, chest and joint pain, weight loss, and fevers. OSHA is developing a rule that would update the Permissible Exposure Limit and establish additional provisions to protect exposed workers. Currently, the agency is preparing to conduct a peer review of the health effects and risk assessments and plans on initiating the peer review in March 2010.
- Walking/Working Surfaces - Subparts D & I An OSHA publication states the following: This proposed standard will update OSHA's rules covering slip, trip and fall hazards and establish requirements for personal fall protection systems. The rule affects almost every non-construction worker in the United States. This is an important rulemaking because it addresses hazards that result in numerous deaths and thousands of injuries every year. The proposal is expected to prevent 20 workplace fatalities per year and over 3,500 injuries serious enough to result in days away from work. The agency plans to issue a proposal in March 2010.”
OSHA’s reinvigorated enforcement program will be expanding the size of the compliance safety and health officer workforce and thus allowing the agency to address its challenges to more effectively enforce worker safety. Now’s as good a time as ever to review your health and safety program and improve it so you’re providing the safest and healthiest workplace possible.
