July 6, 2017 (ATLANTA, GA) — The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP), a community of clinicians, educators, consultants, researchers and industry representatives who advocate for safe and infection-free delivery of oral healthcare, has announced the members of the 2017-2018 OSAP Board of Directors and the 2017-2018 OSAP Foundation Board of Directors. The […]
The prevalence of bloodborne pathogen exposure events in healthcare remains a huge concern as emphasized by the annual reports of sharps related injuries in health care from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The topic is reviewed in our trainings, officer webinars and inserted in the TMC OSHA manuals. An effective Exposure Control Plan […]
(Updated June 2019) Emergency Action Plan (EAP): Evacuation Maps. You see them, but do you need them? OSHA does not require facilities to have a printed map for evacuation in the case of an emergency; but other governmental agencies may. Check with your insurance carrier, fire marshal and state and local agencies that may require […]
Any electrical violation will always be considered serious and carry a fine. There are two reasons why OSHA will always pay attention to electrical safety during inspections: Electrical shock can be fatal. According to OSHA about five workers are electrocuted each week. Electrical fires burn fast. A study by the U.S. Fire Administration found electrical malfunction […]
Infection Control – Back to Basics! Infection prevention and control is more than the sum of a task list, appropriate equipment, and written policies and procedures. They are all important elements and the foundation of a strong infection control program and a culture of safety for every healthcare environment. From leader to volunteers, everyone must […]
The last part of the OSHA inspection applies to you only if your practice has been cited or fined for a problem. You have the right to contest OSHA’s citations and fines. The first step of this process is to request an “Informal Conference” with the manager/supervisor who sent you the citation letter. Your inspector […]
OSHA Compliance Takes a Team The responsibility and commitment of the management of OSHA compliance often weighs heavily on the shoulders of a facility’s OSHA Compliance Officer. It is important to remember that successful compliance is not the job of one individual. OSHA compliance is everyone’s job and comes with rewards and consequences that affect […]
After the inspection, the inspector will have a “Closing Meeting” to cover the preliminary findings. This meeting can happen immediately after the inspection or can be scheduled for a future date. At the Closing Meeting the inspector will meet with the OSHA Officer (and management if you request it) to go over all issues noted […]
Paula Davies Scimeca, RN, MS, CARN, and author of Unbecoming a Nurse: Bypassing the Hidden Chemical Dependency Trap, recently wrote a guest post for the CDC’s Safe Healthcare blog. (https://blogs.cdc.gov/safehealthcare/out-from-under-the-bus/) about reporting drug abuse in a health care setting. “Many health professionals believe that reporting a colleague’s alcohol or other drug problem is “throwing them under […]
When OSHA decides to inspect your practice, the inspector(s) will show up at your door without notice. What happens then? What are your rights? When an inspector shows up, get a business card. Ask the inspector to have a seat in the lobby while you notify management and the OSHA Officer. We recommend delaying the […]
