Did you know that all types of lamps can be recycled? It is important to recycle lamps to decrease the large quantity of hazardous and reusable materials (such as metal) that is currently going to waste in our landfills. A wide variety of energy-efficient mercury-containing light bulbs are becoming popular both within the household and business setting. Some examples include: Compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) and other ...
On August 31, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a new rule regarding pharmaceutical waste disposal. This new proposal will affect hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, doctors’ offices, long-term care centers and reverse distributors; these healthcare facilities will not be allowed to flush pharmaceuticals classified as hazardous waste, such as chemotherapy drugs, blood thinners, nicotine and certain ...
Keeping patients and staff safe from the risks of cross-contamination and cross-infection hinges on strict compliance with infection control best practices–especially during instrument reprocessing. Unfortunately, many sterilization-related activities that are common in the dental office are not necessarily the correct ones, creating the misconception that the “routine” way and the “right” way are one in the same. Below are ...
OSHA regulations can sometimes feel overwhelming, but it is legally required for every office to understand work-related hazards and train employees on how they can protect themselves. Here, we’ve broken it down and focused on the top 10 basic requirements that every veterinary office should follow to avoid OSHA fines and audits. 1) Labels How to Comply: Signage must be updated to the GHS global standard; older diamond labels ...
Amalgam Recycling in North America Dental amalgam has been used to fill cavities for more than 150 years, and even if you are not placing amalgam, many dentists are removing old, degraded amalgam that must go somewhere. Where exactly does that amalgam go? Straight to the publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). Did you know that dental offices are responsible for approximately 50% of the mercury waste that is received by ...
Effective on June 1, 2015, chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors, and employers have to comply with a universal approach to classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information on labels and safety data sheets. Every label must include the following requirements: a signal word, pictogram, hazard statement, and precautionary statement for each hazard class and category. Beginning in December of this year, ...
Keeping up with waste compliance can be confusing and expensive. With dental offices subject to numerous regulations at the federal, state, and county level, knowing which compliance protocols are applicable to your practice is a challenge for any office. Not to mention, waste is a broad category comprised of a variety of issues that lack actionable solutions. Thankfully, compliance is easier to achieve than it seems. Here’s ...
