OSHA’s Hazard Communication Update: What Employers Need to Do Before November 2026
OSHA’s updated Hazard Communication Standard is entering an important phase of implementation, with a major employer deadline approaching November 20, 2026. Employers should use the coming months to review their written Hazard Communication program, Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), workplace labels, and employee training to determine what updates may be necessary. Hazard Communication is one of […]
OSHA Is Reconsidering Several Workplace Safety Rules — What Healthcare Employers Should Know
As workplaces, technology, and safety controls change, OSHA periodically reviews its standards to determine whether existing requirements should be updated, clarified, or removed. OSHA is currently considering a series of deregulatory actions intended to modernize workplace safety standards, eliminate requirements the agency considers outdated or duplicative, and provide employers with greater flexibility in complying with […]
When the Emergency Isn’t Over: What Healthcare Organizations Can Learn from OSHA’s Recent Chemical Spill Enforcement Case
When OSHA announced more than $3.5 million in proposed penalties following a chemical spill response in Texas, many healthcare leaders may have assumed the incident had little relevance to medical practices, dental offices, surgery centers, or laboratories. While the chemicals were different, the lesson applies to every organization: protecting employees does not end when the […]
Understanding the Differences in Disinfection and Sterilization
Inadequate disinfection and sterilization of medical and dental items can lead to the persistence of infectious agents on surfaces and instruments. Some common areas of mistake are not cleaning the surface or instrument thoroughly before disinfection or sterilization, insufficient contact time of the disinfectant or sterilant and utilizing incorrect disinfectants. Prevention is key, healthcare facilities […]
A Hidden Hazard: Heat Illness Risks in Healthcare Facilities
As temperatures rise during the summer months, many people naturally associate heat-related illness with outdoor occupations such as construction, landscaping, agriculture, and road work. However, heat stress is not limited to outdoor environments. Healthcare and dental facilities can also present significant heat-related hazards, particularly in areas where employees work near heat-generating equipment, wear extensive personal […]
Hazard Communication Updates Coming in 2026: What Healthcare Practices Need to Know
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HAZCOM) is receiving important updates that will take effect in 2026. While these changes primarily affect how chemical hazards are communicated, they will also impact healthcare employers who use disinfectants, sterilants, laboratory chemicals, dental materials, and other products in daily operations. The goal of these updates is to improve the presentation […]
Temporary Healthcare Workers – A Shared Responsibility
Many medical and dental practices rely on temporary staff to help manage busy schedules, staff shortages, or seasonal increases in patient volume. While temporary employees can be an essential part of maintaining operations, it is important to remember that they must receive the same workplace safety protections as permanent staff, especially regarding exposure to bloodborne […]
OSHA is Reshaping Workplace Safety in 2026
Over the past several months, OSHA efforts have accelerated in areas such as heat exposure, ergonomics, workplace violence prevention, and inspection procedures. These developments offer important insight into where workplace safety regulation and enforcement are heading. Heat Safety Heat illness has emerged as a regulatory priority. Its inclusion in rulemaking agendas signals the early stages […]
What Employers Should Expect from OSHA in 2026
OSHA’s regulatory agenda for 2026 signals significant changes for employers across multiple industries. While some standards are still in development, the direction is clear: organizations should begin planning now to strengthen safety programs, prevention controls, and documentation practices. Below is an overview of the most impactful anticipated updates — and what employers can do to […]
Safety Isn’t Seasonal – Make It a Priority Every Day
When the weather turns colder, many of us instinctively prepare for icy walkways and storm-related risks. But while the hazards around us may change with the seasons, one thing should remain constant: our commitment to safety. Too often, safety is treated as a temporary response to specific conditions, something to “turn on” during busy periods […]