Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, often referred to as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees". Section 5(a)(2) requires employers to "comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act".
 

Note: Twenty-four states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.

• 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens [related topic page]
• 1910.1200, Hazard communication [related topic page]
• 1910.151, Medical services and first aid [related topic page]
• 1910.1020, Access to employee exposure and medical records [related topic page]
• 1910.23, Guarding floor and wall openings and holes
• 1910.132, Personal protective equipment, general requirements [related topic page]
• 1910.141, Sanitation
• 1910.157, Portable fire extinguishers [related topic page]
• 1903.2, Posting of notice; availability of the Act, regulations and applicable standards.
• 1904.2, Partial exemption for establishments in certain industries [related topic page]

• 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens [related topic page]
• 1910.132, Personal protective equipment, general requirements [related topic page]
• 1910.304, Wiring design and protection [related topic page]
• 1910.1200, Hazard communication [related topic page]
• 1910.23, Guarding floor and wall openings and holes [related topic page]
• 1910.133, Eye and face protection [related topic page]
• 1910.134, Respiratory protection [related topic page]
• 1910.157, Portable fire extinguishers [related topic page]
• 1910.242, Hand and portable powered tools and equipment, general [related topic page]
• 1910.253, Oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting. [related topic page]

• Enforcement Procedures for the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030. CPL 02-02-069 [CPL 2-2.69], (2001, November 27). Lists dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and dental laboratory technicians as job classifications that may be associated with tasks that have occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials.
• Search all available directives.

• OSHA has no specific standard on autoclaving used medical instruments. (2004, September 3). Refers to guidelines and recommendations on the use and monitoring of sterilization equipment in dental healthcare settings by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may also have relevant information in connection with that agency's approval of autoclaves as OSHA has no specific standard.

Bloodborne Pathogens

• OSHA's standard of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. (1997, July 3). Discusses the standard requirement that employees use gloves in the dental setting when there is hand contact with blood or "other potentially infectious material" (OPIM) which includes saliva in dental procedures as well as any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood.
• Classification of saliva in dental procedures under the bloodborne pathogens standard. (1996, February 15). Based upon the recommendations of the CDC with regard to precautions in dentistry and the necessity for assuring employee protection against all bloodborne pathogens, we have concluded that retaining "saliva in dental procedures" as an "other potential infectious material" is appropriate and correct.
• Bloodborne Pathogen standard as it applies to personal protective equipment. (1992, May 6). Determines that it is the employer's responsibility to evaluate the task and the type of exposure expected and, based on the determination, select the "appropriate" personal protective clothing in accordance with 1910.1030(d)(3)(i) of the standard. In general, OSHA would expect the employer to select traditional protective clothing, such as clinic jackets, lab coats, or uniforms since this type of clothing is designed to serve as a barrier to strike-through and would protect underlying garments or skin.
• Orthodontics wires considered as "sharps" under CPL 2-2.44D. (1990, May 25). Determines since the ends of orthodontic wires can penetrate the skin their contamination with blood can reasonably be anticipated. OSHA believes that they must be classified as "sharps" under the above referenced Instruction and standard and disposed of accordingly.

Hazard Communication

• The dental industry's concern regarding compliance with certain provisions of the Hazard Communications Standard. (1997, February 6). Determined that MSDSs are required for dental devices which are not exempt from coverage under the "article" or "consumer products" provisions of the HCS.
• Overlap between FDA and OSHA in the regulation of dental devices. (1997, January 7). Conducted a broad hazard determination of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) defined classes of dental devices, and excluded devices that failed to meet the HCS definition of a hazardous chemical. Provides two tables:
  • The first table identifies "Dental Devices Which Require Manufacturer's Determination for Presence of Hazardous Chemicals and, if Present, Would Then Require a MSDS."
  • The second table identifies "Dental Devices Not Covered by the Hazard Communication Standard."

• Search all available standard interpretations.