2026 OSHA FAQs

2026 OSHA FAQs

WORKPLACE SAFETY, HAZARD COMMUNICATION & EMPLOYEE PROTECTION

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GENERAL OSHA REQUIREMENTS

What is OSHA?
Answer:
OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Labor responsible for setting and enforcing workplace safety standards to protect employees from work-related injuries, illnesses, and hazards.

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Are dental practices required to comply with OSHA?
Answer: Yes

Dental practices are considered employers under OSHA and must comply with all applicable OSHA standards, including those related to bloodborne pathogens, hazard communication, personal protective equipment (PPE), workplace violence prevention, and employee training.

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Does OSHA apply to all dental staff?
Answer: Yes

OSHA requirements apply to all employees, including clinical staff, administrative staff, hygiene teams, assistants, and any other workers who may be exposed to workplace hazards.

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EMPLOYEE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

Does OSHA require employee training?
Answer: Yes

OSHA requires employers to train employees on workplace hazards that may affect their safety and health. Training must be provided at the time of initial assignment and whenever new hazards, procedures, or equipment are introduced.

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Is OSHA training required annually?
Answer: Yes

Certain OSHA-required training, including Bloodborne Pathogens training, must be completed at least annually. Other training must be repeated whenever there are changes in exposure risk, job duties, or safety procedures.

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Must new hires complete OSHA training within a specific timeframe?
Answer:
OSHA requires that employees receive required safety training at the time of initial assignment and before exposure to workplace hazards.

There is no grace period that allows employees to work in an exposed role without training. Training must occur before the employee performs tasks that could expose them to hazards such as bloodborne pathogens or hazardous chemicals.

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BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

What are bloodborne pathogens?
Answer:
Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms present in human blood that can cause disease, including Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

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Are dental practices required to have a Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan?
Answer: Yes

Dental practices must maintain a written Exposure Control Plan that identifies occupational exposure risks and outlines procedures to eliminate or minimize employee exposure.

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Does OSHA require Hepatitis B vaccination to be offered?
Answer: Yes

OSHA requires employers to offer the Hepatitis B vaccination series at no cost to employees who have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. Employees may decline, but the declination must be documented.

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HAZARD COMMUNICATION (HAZCOM)

What is the Hazard Communication Standard?
Answer:
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard requires employers to inform and train employees about hazardous chemicals in the workplace, including how to identify hazards and protect themselves.

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Are Safety Data Sheets (SDS) required in dental offices?
Answer: Yes

Dental practices must maintain an accessible Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for every hazardous chemical used in the workplace and ensure employees know how to locate and understand them.

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Does OSHA require labeling of chemicals?
Answer: Yes

All hazardous chemicals must be properly labeled with identity, hazard warnings, and manufacturer information in accordance with OSHA standards.

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PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Is PPE required under OSHA?
Answer: Yes

Employers must provide appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves, masks, eyewear, gowns, and face shields, at no cost to employees when PPE is required to protect against workplace hazards.

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Are employees required to use provided PPE?
Answer: Yes

Employees are required to use PPE as trained and instructed. Employers must ensure PPE is properly used, maintained, and replaced as needed.

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WORKPLACE VIOLENCE & BULLYING

Does OSHA address workplace violence and bullying?
Answer: Yes

OSHA recognizes workplace violence as a serious occupational hazard. Employers are expected to take reasonable steps to prevent violence, intimidation, harassment, and bullying that could compromise employee safety.

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Are dental practices expected to address bullying behaviors?
Answer: Yes

While OSHA does not issue a standalone “bullying standard,” employers are responsible for maintaining a safe work environment. Bullying that creates safety risks or psychological harm may fall under OSHA’s General Duty Clause.

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RECORDKEEPING & DOCUMENTATION

Are dental practices required to maintain OSHA safety records?

Answer: Yes

Dental practices are required to maintain specific OSHA documentation and make it available upon request during an OSHA inspection. Required records include written safety programs, training documentation, exposure-related records, and chemical safety information. Retention periods vary depending on the type of record.

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What OSHA records must a dental practice maintain, and for how long?

Bloodborne Pathogens Training Records

• What must be kept: Dates of training, content outline, trainer qualifications, and attendee names
• Retention period: 3 years from the date of training

Exposure Control Plan

• What must be kept: A current, written Exposure Control Plan
• Retention period: Must be maintained and reviewed at least annually; OSHA does not assign a fixed retention period, but the current version must always be available

Hepatitis B Vaccination & Medical Records

• What must be kept: Vaccination status, declinations, medical evaluations, and follow-up records
• Retention period: Duration of employment plus 30 years

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

• What must be kept: SDS for each hazardous chemical used or stored
• Retention period:
• Must be readily accessible while the chemical is in use
• SDS are considered employee exposure records and must be retained for 30 years

Record Type	Authority	Retention
Spore Test Logs	CDC / OSHA General Duty	≥ 3 years
Waterline Test Logs	CDC / OSHA General Duty	2–3 years
Eyewash Station Logs	OSHA / ANSI reference	1–3 years
Bloodborne Training Logs	OSHA	3 years
Hep B Medical Records	OSHA	Employment + 30 years
SDS Sheets	OSHA	30 years

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ENFORCEMENT & PENALTIES

Can dental practices be inspected by OSHA?
Answer: Yes

OSHA has the authority to conduct inspections, including complaint-driven inspections. Dental practices may be cited for noncompliance even if no injury has occurred.

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Can OSHA issue fines for noncompliance?
Answer: Yes

Failure to comply with OSHA standards can result in citations, monetary penalties, and required corrective actions.

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EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES

Who is responsible for OSHA compliance in a dental practice?
Answer:
The employer is ultimately responsible for OSHA compliance. While a safety coordinator may be designated, responsibility cannot be delegated away from the practice owner or employer.

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Are staff required to be trained on OSHA policies?
Answer: Yes

OSHA requires that employees be trained on applicable safety policies and procedures and that training be documented.

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HELPFUL OSHA & CDC RESOURCES

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):
https://www.osha.gov

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard:
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030

OSHA Hazard Communication Standard:
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1200

CDC, Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings
https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/index.html

CDC – Dental Unit Waterlines
https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/dental-unit-waterlines.html

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Prepared by: Dental Practice Resources
Source Info:

• U.S. Department of Labor – OSHA guidance & standards 
• Centers for Disease Control