| Back in 1992 OSHA enacted the Blood Borne | | | | all employees. |
| Pathogen (BBP) and Hazard Communication | | | | - You are sure that all employees realize the |
| Standards. At the time Practice Managers became | | | | importance of the plan, and have been trained to |
| well familiar with the regulations, filled out the | | | | understand and follow it. |
| appropriate forms and did what was necessary to | | | | - You are sure there is a list of all Hazardous |
| come into compliance. And then most practices | | | | Chemicals in use in the workplace available to all |
| likely forgot about them. | | | | employees. And that you have a system in place |
| Perhaps if you heard of a medical office in your | | | | to add new ones to the list as they may come |
| area that was inspected by OSHA – you | | | | into use in the office. |
| dusted off the manuals, and checked to see if | | | | - You know if you do or do not provide your |
| your own office was still in compliance, made any | | | | staff with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) |
| necessary changes -- and then again went about | | | | when dealing with hazardous chemicals or biological |
| more pressing concerns to running a medical | | | | materials, and if so, make sure they been |
| practice, once again, promptly forgetting about | | | | properly trained in how to use PPE. |
| BBP and Hazard Communication compliance. | | | | - You see that your employees are trained on |
| However, there have been quite a few changes | | | | how to deal with a hazardous chemical spill or |
| over the years, specifically regarding having your | | | | release of BBP, and that there is a "spill kit" readily |
| Hazard Communication plan in place, and being | | | | available. |
| sure that your employees are aware of it. There | | | | Keep in mind that any staff member that |
| is no time like the present, before you are hit | | | | does not follow your office's Hazard |
| with an inspection, or worse a law suit - to | | | | Communication plan or the BBP plan, knowingly, or |
| make sure that your employees know how to | | | | unknowingly, puts not only themselves and fellow |
| deal with biological and chemical hazards in the | | | | workers at risk; they also put the practice in |
| medical office, for their protection and the | | | | jeopardy by opening it up to potential liability by |
| protection of your patients. | | | | patients and fines issued by |
| It is advised that as Office Manager: | | | | OSHA. |
| - You have a clearly written Hazard | | | | PracticeManagerNetwork. |
| Communication plan that is available and visible to | | | | |