Dental Offices and Form 300 Log: To Post or Not to Post

OSHA exempts dentistry, as a low-risk industry, from maintaining and posting form 300 log (formerly called the “Log 200”). The form 300 log provides a summary of work-related injuries and illnesses during a calendar year. Businesses with more than 10 employees in a non-exempt industry are required to complete the log and post it during the month of February.

A dental office is only required to record work-related injuries and illnesses when the office is requested to do so in writing by OSHA. Any business that receives an injury and illness survey from these agencies also is required to complete the survey and return it as directed.

Although OSHA exempts dentists from reporting work-related injuries and illness on form 300 log, they must report any workplace incident that results in a single fatality or in-patient hospitalization of three or more employees within eight hours of the incident. You must report the incident in person or by telephone to the nearest OSHA Area Office. Visit www.osha.gov for a list of area offices or state program offices.

Keep in mind that dental offices are not exempt from recording injuries on a sharps injury log (California only) or from documenting incidents of exposures to bloodborne pathogens. Additionally, other injuries, including first aid, should be documented.

Work-related incidents that lead to serious injury or illness, or death, must be reported immediately to OSHA.

OSHA Review, Inc. a registered continuing education provider in the State of California, specializing in Dental Practice Act, infection control, and Cal/OSHA training. OSHA Review subscribers in California receive updated regulatory compliance and infection control training thorough our bi-monthly newsletter.