The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Georgetown Dental of Georgetown, Massachusetts, for violating respiratory protection and other standards. OSHA cited the practice for six serious and one other-than-serious violations, with proposed penalties of $9,500. The practice has paid the penalty in full and abated the citations.
According to OSHA, the practice failed to provide medical evaluations and fit testing for employees required to wear N95 respirators. It also lacked written programs related to respiratory protection, bloodborne pathogen exposure control, and chemical hazard communication. It provided insufficient bloodborne pathogen training and controls. And, OSHA said, its eyewash stations were inadequate.
“OSHA’s goal is to ensure abatement of hazards. With this settlement and hazard abatement, the goal has been met,” said OSHA Andover Area office director Anthony Covello. “OSHA will continue to field and respond to complaints and take steps needed to address unsafe workspaces.”
Employers who have questions about compliance with OSHA standards should contact their local OSHA office for guidance and assistance at (800) 321-OSHA. Also, OSHA’s coronavirus response webpage offers resources for addressing safety and health hazards during the pandemic.
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