OSHA investigation finds two Lakemoor Dental locations failed to protect employees from risks of bloodborne pathogens

Employer name: Lakemoor Dental P.C., Lakemoor, Illinois
Lakemoor Dental of Hainesville, Hainesville, Illinois

Citations issued: June 27, 2016

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued 11 serious violations and four other-than-serious violations to Lakemoor Dental P.C. after conducting inspections at the company’s Lakemoor and Hainesville, Illinois, offices.

The April 2016 inspections were opened after OSHA received a complaint alleging violations of OSHA’s bloodborne pathogen exposure standards. The agency’s investigators found a worker suffered a sharps injury at the Hainesville location on March 9, 2016.                                            

The agency’s Chicago North area office found the employer:

• Did not establish bloodborne pathogen exposure control plan and hazard communication programs at either location.
• Failed to require the use of appropriate gloves and personal protective equipment.
• Did not provide medical evaluation and follow-up to employees after an exposure incident.
• Failed to make Hepatitis B vaccination series available to employees.
• Did not train workers about chemical and bloodborne pathogen hazards and precautions.

Quote: “OSHA has specific guidelines to protect healthcare workers in the medical and dental offices who may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens while providing patient care,” said Angeline Loftus, OSHA’s area director for its Chicago North office in Des Plaines. “Dental offices like Lakemoor have a responsibility to ensure patients and staff are protected from injury and illness during procedures.”

Proposed Penalties:   A total of $53,900: $29,400 for the Hainesville location and $24,500 for Lakemoor.

View Citations for Hainesville and Lakemoor.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency’s Chicago North Area Office at 847-803-8400.