OSHA Regulations in the Medical Office

The "Job Safety and Health: It's the Law" workplace poster (or state plan equivalent) outlines employee rights and how to report any violations. The poster must be in plain sight, such as in a break room or other place easy for employees to notice.

The personal protective equipment standard outlines general requirements for protecting employees from hazards through the use of PPE. Employers must assess the workplace for hazards that require PPE, select properly fitting PPE for affected employees, and provide training to employees on use of PPE.

The respiratory protection standard protects staff from airborne hazards. At a minimum, employers must provide necessary PPE, conduct medical evaluations of employees who must use respirators, fit test employees for respirators, maintain respirators, and train and monitor staff for proper use of PPE. 

The bloodborne pathogens standard is designed to protect workers from coming into contact with bloodborne pathogens. It provides written requirements on exposure control, universal precautions, guidance on handling sharps, and what to do in case of exposure. Employees and contractors who work in a medical office must undergo annual training provided by the employer on bloodborne pathogen protocol.

The hazard communication standard guides health care employers on how to properly inform workers of chemical hazards in the workplace. As part of a hazard communication program, employers must identify hazardous chemicals in the workplace, meet labeling requirements for chemicals, make safety data sheets available to employees, provide hazard communication training, and maintain a written hazard communication plan. 

The exit routes standard is meant to ensure that employees can safely evacuate the workplace during an emergency. Employers must notify employees of the facility’s protocol for emergency exits. The exit routes must be large enough to accommodate the space capacity for people inside the building. Diagrams of evacuation routes must be posted in plain sight.

The electrical standard addresses electrical equipment and wiring in areas where flammable vapors, liquids, or gases may be present, known as hazardous (classified) locations. Medical facilities with flammable gases must install special wiring or equipment.

While OSHA does not have a specific standard for workplace violence, the extent of an employer's obligation to address workplace violence is governed by the General Duty Clause. According to OSHA, “workplace violence is any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site.” It can affect and involve workers, patients, families and visitors. Employers should adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence. The policy should extend to all employees, contractors, patients, families, visitors, and individuals who may engage with workers of the facility.

Considered a low-risk partially exempt industry, physician offices are not required to record and report serious work-related injuries and illness to OSHA, though state standards may exist. However, all employers, including those partially exempted due to industry classification or size, must report severe injuries and illnesses to OSHA: any work-related fatality must be reported within 8 hours; and any work-related in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye must be reported within 24 hours.