OSHA Annual Injury Reporting: Dentistry Exempt

It is that time of year again, time for many employers to post a copy of the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) Form 300A, which summarizes job-related injuries and illnesses, which occurred during 2022. For applicable employers, the summary must be displayed in a common area where notices to employees are usually posted each year between February 1 and April 30.

Many employers with more than 10 employees are required to keep a record of serious work-related injuries and illnesses. Minor injuries requiring first aid only do not need to be recorded. This information helps employers, workers, and OSHA evaluate the safety of a workplace, understand industry hazards, and implement worker protections to reduce and eliminate hazards -preventing future workplace injuries and illnesses.

Exempt Businesses

Certain low-risk industries classified in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) are exempted, including dentistry (NAICS 6212), from maintaining OSHA injury and illness records, unless they are asked in writing to do so by OSHA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), or a state agency operating under the authority of OSHA or the BLS.

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.

Reporting Severe Injuries/Fatalities

All employers, including those partially exempted by reason of company size or industry classification, i.e. dental offices, must report to OSHA any fatality within 8 hours and any amputation, loss of an eye, or hospitalization of a worker within 24 hours (see §1904.39)

To make a report:

• Call the nearest OSHA office.
• Call the OSHA 24-hour hotline at 1-800-321-6742 (OSHA).
• Report online.

Be prepared to provide the following information: Business name; names of employees affected; location and time of the incident, brief description of the incident; contact person and phone number.

Since 1992, OSHA Review, Inc. has provided dental professionals with comprehensive programs to support regulatory compliance and infection control. We are a registered continuing education provider in the state of California, specializing in Dental Practice Act, infection control, and OSHA training.