Employees are reporting OSHA violations more often than ever by calling the hotline to share things like safety and cleanliness issues at medical practices. Practices that are found to have violated the OSHA rules are subject to fines and penalties, so it’s up to your practice to always be ready for an OSHA inspection and to ensure your workplace is hazard-free.
Check out the top three most frequent OSHA violations in healthcare.
1. Respiratory Protection
There’s a heightened sense of awareness about respiratory protection in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many staff members have logged complaints about how these products are being used in their practices. While masks and face coverings do not fall under this section of the OSHA rules, N95 respirators do, and many practices use those.
The pandemic led to supply chain issues in getting appropriate respiratory protection, so some practices were using homemade masks and other items, which led to an increase in complaints. But with those supply problems now rectified, you should have no problems complying with the respirator fit requirements and documentation rules.
Remember that fit testing for respirators is required annually. Just missing a fit testing opportunity one year out of 10 could put you at risk of OSHA violations.
2. Bloodborne Pathogens
Every practice should be extremely diligent about remaining compliant with OSHA’s bloodborne pathogen guidelines. Typically, violations in this area occur as a result of needle sticks and other sharps-type incidents, but other issues can trigger complaints.
For instance, if your employees are advised to store their lunches in the same refrigerator as blood samples, that would likely trigger an OSHA inspection or violation.
3. Hazard Communication
The hazard communication standard relates to the chemicals in your workplace, and this standard relates primarily to your housekeeping staff members. However, providers and other staff members may also have exposure to hazardous chemicals in your workplace.
Keep in mind that FDA-approved medications are specifically excluded from the hazard communication standard, but things like cleaning chemicals and disinfectants are included. If, for example, you’ve prefilled a generic spray bottle with Lysol and you know what it is so you haven’t put a label on it, then you could be in violation of the OSHA standard, which requires everything to be clearly labeled.
If you’re unsure of whether you may be in violation of the OSHA standards, talk to a qualified healthcare attorney so they can review what you’re doing and weigh in.
There’s so much more to know about the OSHA requirements as your practice heads into the new year. Let attorney John Surma, JD, walk you through the specifics during his latest online training, Comply w/New OSHA Requirements, Now and in 2025. Register today!
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