Call - 770-205-6745
Your Compliance Partner for Over 30 Years
Mary Bartlett
Author

Mary Bartlett

SafeLink Consulting, Senior Vice President & Founder

Med spa receptionist and patient room
Health & Safety · July 30, 2026

What Every MedSpa Patient Has the Right to Know

This patient safety guide is co-authored by VIO Franchise Group and SafeLink Consulting. Before you book. Before you consent. Before anyone picks up a needle, laser, or device. The

Read more →
inhouse dental 3D printing compliance gaps in a dental practice
Dentistry · July 21, 2026

Dental 3D Printing Compliance: Is Your Dental Practice at Risk?

Dental 3D printing has made chairside care faster, more precise, and more profitable. What most dentists don't realize is that the technology also brought four new sets of federal

Read more →
OSHA update to hazard communication
General Industry · July 14, 2026

OSHA Hazard Communication Update: Has Your Workplace Kept Pace?

The first major compliance deadline under OSHA's revised Hazard Communication Standard has arrived. These hazard communication changes have the potential to impact your business.

Read more →
Dental lab workers discussing compliance requirements for VA or government contract
Dental Laboratory · July 8, 2026

Dental Lab Compliance: What It Takes to Keep a Government Contract

For dental labs, landing a government contract with the VA or another agency feels like a major milestone. But for one California dental lab, that opportunity quickly became a cost

Read more →
people and families watching fireworks display from grass picnic area
General Industry · July 1, 2026

Fireworks Safety at Company Events: Risks Employers Should Know

For employer-sponsored events, fireworks safety is not just a holiday concern. It is a fire prevention, hazard control, and potential OSHA recordkeeping issue. Every summer, firewo

Read more →
teenage female learning about a summer job working in a medial spa
Dental Laboratory · June 24, 2026

OSHA Compliance for Young Workers: What Employers Need to Know

Summer often brings an influx of younger workers into employer settings such as dental practices, dental laboratories, medical spas, wellness centers, medical clinics, and specialt

Read more →
office team workers having fun playing charades
General Industry · June 15, 2026

Celebrate National Safety Month in June

Since 1996, the National Safety Council has recognized June as National Safety Month. This is a time to raise awareness and promote safe practices in all environments. At SafeLink,

Read more →
Lockout / tagout equipment for electrical safety
General Industry · May 27, 2026

How to Develop a Lockout/Tagout Program

No matter the level of industry hazard, all general industry businesses must implement elements of Lockout Tagout if they apply to their business according to the OSHA Standards. {

Read more →
Lockout Tagout Equipment for Electrical Safety
General Industry · May 21, 2026

Elements of an Effective Electrical Safety Policy

Many businesses are not aware that OSHA requires a written Lockout/Tagout Program for electrical safety, which is why the absence of this program continues to be one of the OSHA mo

Read more →
SafeLink Consulting advisors
General Industry · May 20, 2026

SafeLink Appoints Matt Rahman as President & Managing Partner

We are proud to announce the appointment of Matt Rahman as President & Managing Partner of SafeLink Consulting. This strategic move reflects where this firm is headed and what our

Read more →
Compliance Rule Law Regulation for Small Business
General Industry · February 19, 2026

Top 10 OSHA Most Frequently Cited Safety Violations FY2025

Every year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) releases its list of the most frequently cited workplace safety violations, highlighting critical areas where e

Read more →
OSHA log injury and illness recordkeeping
General Industry · February 4, 2026

Update to OSHA Injury & Illness Tracking

OSHA's update expands submission requirements for certain employers in high-hazard industries. Continue reading to gain further insights into OSHA's Injury & Illness Tracking updat

Read more →
Dental practice or lab inspection
Dental Laboratory · December 17, 2025

Year-End Checkup: Dental Workplace Health & Safety for Practices/Labs

As the year comes to a close, many organizations reflect on performance, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. Alongside financial and operational results, workplace healt

Read more →
Hit the target or make goal
General Industry · December 17, 2025

Year-End Reflections: Health & Safety for General Industry

As the year comes to a close, many organizations reflect on performance, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. Alongside financial and operational results, workplace healt

Read more →
Nurse putting on sweater
General Industry · October 16, 2025

Take-Home Exposures on Street Clothes

OSHA requires employers to assess workplace hazards and determine how to eliminate or minimize them. Within the hierarchy of controls, personal protective equipment (PPE) is consid

Read more →
Identifying and Assessing Hazards in the workplace
General Industry · September 2, 2025

Identifying and Assessing Hazards in the Workplace

After recently presenting a course on hazard identification and assessment, it struck me how many employers could benefit from revisiting this essential process. According to OSHA,

Read more →
Dental patient oral health infection control
General Industry · July 22, 2025

ADS Institute for Dental Safety Advances Infection Control Leadership

The landscape of dental infection control and patient safety is undergoing a significant transformation. The Association for Dental Safety (ADS), a trusted authority in dental safe

Read more →
Respiratory Protection
General Industry · March 27, 2025

Respiratory Protection – Difference Between Mandatory and Voluntary

OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.134 applies to having a mandatory or a voluntary respiratory protection program. Employers must determine if either of those programs need to be a part of their

Read more →
ADS Association for Dental Safety - Infecton Control
General Industry · March 6, 2025

The Forgotten Member Of The Dental Team - The Dental Lab

Missed the Association for Dental Safety (ADS) live event? Access the on-demand course recording here - The Forgotten Member Of The Dental Team - The Dental Lab. This live webinar

Read more →
How to use a fire extinguisher
General Industry · October 8, 2024

Fire Prevention in the Workplace - How to Use Fire Extinguishers

Are you prepared to handle Fire Emergencies in your workplace? Fires are probably more common than you may think. The NFPA reports that fire departments respond to a fire on averag

Read more →
PPE clothing not fitting properly
Insider · September 26, 2024

The Importance of Properly Fitting PPE - Personal Protective Equipment

How many times are workers provided personal protective Equipment (PPE) just to find that it doesn’t fit? This could make the worker decide not to wear it since the employer didn’t

Read more →
Removing PPE
Insider · September 26, 2024

Proper Removal of PPE for Infection Control

Preventing the spread of infection is a constant duty for workers who have potential exposure to infectious materials in the workplace. Routine and complete surface cleaning and di

Read more →
supplier and subcontractor evaluation for medical device manufacturer including dental lab
General Industry · September 13, 2024

Be an Asset Rather Than a Risk as a Supplier or Subcontractor

It is not unusual today for a medical device manufacturer to outsource components of their production to third party subcontractors or suppliers. The subcontractor or supplier is r

Read more →
Supplier Management Process for Quality Standards
General Industry · September 11, 2024

Enhance Trust in Your Supplier Management Process to Reduce Risk

Medical device manufacturers, including dental laboratories, must implement a supplier management process to comply with FDA's quality management system regulations. They must ensu

Read more →
Top Ten Quality Mistakes Part 2
General Industry · July 22, 2024

Top Ten Quality Mistakes - Part Two

Learning from mistakes, whether our own or others', is a valuable way to improve. In this article, I aim to highlight the top ten quality mistakes often made by businesses and prov

Read more →
Quality Mistakes
General Industry · June 19, 2024

Top Ten Quality Mistakes - Part One

Since many of us seem to learn better from our own mistakes or the mistakes of others, I’d like to share with you some common top ten quality mistakes made by businesses and how yo

Read more →
OSHA worker walkaround rule
General Industry · May 15, 2024

OSHA Worker Walkaround Representation Rule in Effect May 31, 2024

This rule provides the right to workers to designate a third party to represent them during the “walkaround” part of an OSHA inspection. It can be someone who doesn’t work for thei

Read more →
FDA Regulation QMS update
General Industry · February 6, 2024

FDA Amends 21 CFR 820: Announces QMSR

The wait is finally over! On January 31, 2024 FDA issued the Quality Management System Regulation final rule. "The FDA is amending the title of the regulation, and establishing req

Read more →
SafeLink Consulting and Grand Avenue Strategic Relationship
General Industry · February 5, 2024

SafeLink Consulting & Grand Avenue Present eQMS Dental FDA Compliance

SafeLink Consulting is pleased to announce its new strategic relationship with Grand Avenue Software, a leading provider of electronic quality management systems, or eQMS tools for

Read more →
serving others so they are empowered to succeed
General Industry · January 12, 2024

Reflecting on Dental Compliance in 2023 and Looking Ahead to 2024

2023 has been filled with challenges for us and for our clients, but here we are in 2024 anticipating what this new year will bring and ready to meet the expectations of our client

Read more →
Quality / FDA review from 2023 and outlook 2024
General Industry · January 12, 2024

Quality Assurance / FDA Dental Review 2023 and Outlook 2024

As we step into the year 2024, it's important to reflect on the challenges we faced in 2023 and the determination we exhibited alongside our clients. With a brand new year ahead of

Read more →
Safety / OSHA review 2023 and outlook in 2024
General Industry · January 12, 2024

Safety / OSHA Review 2023 and Outlook in 2024

As we enter 2024, we reflect on the challenges we faced in 2023 and the resilience we showed alongside our clients. Now, with a fresh year ahead of us, we eagerly anticipate what i

Read more →
Workplace Safety Training
Insider · March 28, 2023

How Workplace Safety Training Can Save Your Business Time & Money

When asking small business owners why they don’t fulfill OSHA training requirements the most common responses are that it (1) takes time away from employees' productivity, (2) it c

Read more →
Kellie Thimmes joins SafeLink Consulting
General Industry · February 1, 2023

Kellie Thimmes Joins SafeLink Consulting as a Compliance Advisor

SafeLink Consulting is pleased to announce that Kellie Thimmes has joined the SafeLink Team as a Compliance Advisor.

Read more →
AGD course new year new goals
General Industry · January 13, 2023

Learn to Lead 2023 Course Series

If one of your goals is growing your dental practice and one of the skills you are struggling with is getting your team on board, then we've got the perfect opportunity for you. Th

Read more →
Safeguarding Equipment
General Industry · September 21, 2022

Guidelines for Equipment Safety in the Workplace

Injuries are common in the workplace, with the number of workplace injuries and illnesses reported by private sector companies in 2020 being 2.7 million.

Read more →
CDC Loosens its COVID-19 guidance
Insider · August 15, 2022

CDC Loosens its COVID-19 Guidance – What does that Mean to Employers?

On Thursday, August 11, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published new guidelines to help the public better protect themselves and understand their risk.

Read more →
Dental Labs Affected By OSHA Emphasis Program Targeting Silica Exposure
Insider · July 29, 2022

Dental Labs Affected By OSHA Emphasis Program Targeting Silica Exposure

Federal OSHA has had an emphasis on silica exposure for some time now, but some regions are continuing with this focus. One is Region 8 which covers Colorado, Montana, North Dakota

Read more →
Measuring the Value of Safety Programs for your Business
Insider · July 28, 2022

Measuring the Value of Safety Programs for your Business

Developing a written health and safety program just isn’t enough. For good business practices as well as being able to demonstrate to the Occupational Safety and Health Administrat

Read more →
Preparing and Securing the Workplace for Employee Safety
Insider · April 5, 2022

Preparing and Securing the Workplace for Employee Safety

Why are workplace security measures so important? Because it keeps employees, equipment, and goods secure and safe. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires compa

Read more →
OSHA COVID 19 guidance for non-healthcare employers
General Industry · September 8, 2021

OSHA Issues COVID 19 Guidance for Employers in Non-Healthcare

On August 13, 2021, OSHA published Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace. This guidance is intended to help employers an

Read more →
No mask required for covid vaccination
Dental Laboratory · May 17, 2021

How Does CDC's No Mask Required for Those Vaccinated Against COVID-19Affect Dental Employers?

CDC announces that those of us who have completed our COVID-19 vaccination and the two weeks after the final vaccine do not need to wear a mask inside or outside. So how does CDC's

Read more →
Washington State HELSA
Dental Laboratory · May 17, 2021

Washington State Passes Health Emergency Labor Standards Act - HELSA

The state of Washington has published an announcement about the recently passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5115, known as the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act (HELSA). Go

Read more →
Cal-OSHA Requires Injury Illness for Dental
Dental Laboratory · May 17, 2021

Cal-OSHA Injury Illness Prevention Dental Practice or Lab Requirements

Cal-OSHA requires every employer in the state of California to establish, implement and maintain an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program. This Program should be in writi

Read more →
how to properly train dental lab drivers
Insider · April 20, 2021

How to Properly Train Dental Lab Drivers on Health & Safety

April is Distracted Driver Awareness Month so this is a good time to remind your dental laboratory drivers of this information and provide specific health & safety training. The Na

Read more →
SafeLink Consulting
Insider · April 20, 2021

SafeLink Consulting Named Strategic Partner for the Industry by NADL

SafeLink Consulting has been selected by the NADL - National Association of Dental Laboratories as The Strategic Partner for the industry and featured in JDT - Journal of Dental Te

Read more →
Dentist Offices Affected By OSHA National Emphasis Program COVID-19
Insider · March 16, 2021

Dentist Offices Affected By OSHA National Emphasis Program COVID-19

On March 12, 2021 OSHA published the OSHA Direction [DIR 2021-01 (CPL-03)] describing the policies and procedures for implementing a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to ensure that

Read more →
Adapting to change
General Industry · February 9, 2021

What Role Does Your Quality System Play in this COVID-19 World?

The answer is “A very important one”. Some are referring to this stage of our business lives in having to deal with the challenges of a pandemic as “disruptive change”. I’m sure ma

Read more →
Worker Protection from COVID-19
General Industry · February 9, 2021

Emergency Temporary Standards for Worker Protection from COVID-19

The Biden Administration has taken the first step with new OSHA leadership to issue updated COVID-19 guidance for workplaces. As quoted by the National Safety Council, “The guidanc

Read more →
CDC Updates Infection Prevention Guidance for Dental Settings
Dental Laboratory · November 19, 2020

CDC Updates Infection Prevention Guidance for Dental Settings

On August 28, 2020, the CDC updated their Guidance for Dental Settings - Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Dental Settings During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (

Read more →
Guidance for Dental Settings CDC & OSHA Updates on COVID-19
Dental Laboratory · August 26, 2020

Guidance for Dental Settings CDC & OSHA Updates on COVID-19

As the pandemic continues and the authorities learn more about COVID-19, the recommendations are changing. The following will provide information that has been issued by the Center

Read more →
COVID-19 Infectious Disease Preparedness
Dental Laboratory · August 14, 2020

COVID-19 Infectious Disease Preparedness

How do you really know if you have a proper infectious disease preparedness plan for your dental practice or dental laboratory?

Read more →
Employee Exposures to COVID-19 - Notification to Employer
General Industry · July 10, 2020

Employee Exposures to COVID-19 - Notification to Employer

If your business is back in operation, you are probably dealing with situations involving employees’ exposure to COVID-19 or confirmed COVID-19.

Read more →
Protecting Patients & Staff When Resuming Your Dental Practice
Dentistry · May 9, 2020

Protecting Patients & Staff When Resuming Your Dental Practice

As various mandates and recommendations related to dentistry have been lifted, dentists are beginning to question what steps need to be taken to resume operations and how to ensure

Read more →
Best Safety Practices When Resuming Dental Lab During COVID19
Dental Laboratory · May 8, 2020

Best Safety Practices When Resuming Dental Lab During COVID19

Dental laboratory owners are asking what steps needs to be taken to resume operations and prepare the workplace for protection against COVID-19. Dental labs that were already compl

Read more →
Infectious Disease Preparedness & Response Plan for Dental Workplace
Dental Laboratory · April 29, 2020

Infectious Disease Preparedness & Response Plan for Dental Workplace

As time goes on and we all look back on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our businesses and our personal lives, we will realize the importance of infectious disease prepared

Read more →
Managing Risks of Coronavirus COVID19 in Dental Practice Setting
Insider · April 18, 2020

Managing Risks of Coronavirus COVID19 in Dental Practice Setting

The pandemic of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created real challenges and uncertainties for businesses around the world. Needless to say, all of us at SafeLink Consul

Read more →
Long-Term Impact of COVID-19 on Infection Control in Dental Practices
Dentistry · April 17, 2020

Long-Term Impact of COVID-19 on Infection Control in Dental Practices

The pandemic of COVID-19 has created real challenges and uncertainties for dental practices. Some practices are continuing to provide essential and emergency services and others ar

Read more →
Top OSHA and FDA Updates on Mask and Respirator Shortage
General Industry · April 7, 2020

Top OSHA and FDA Updates on Mask and Respirator Shortage

Are you an employer who needs to provide disposable N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) to your workers but are unable to secure them due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Read on t

Read more →
COVID-19 and OSHA Guidance on N95 Respirator Mask
Insider · March 26, 2020

COVID-19 and OSHA Guidance on N95 Respirator Mask

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront the need to protect patients and workers through the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). In the recent past , healthcare

Read more →
healthcare workers 2
Insider · November 18, 2019

TB Guidelines, Compliance & OSHA's Inspection Criteria

National recommendations have been made by the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association and CDC about Tuberculosis screening, testing, and treatment of U.S. healthcare workers

Read more →
Trick or treater safety
Insider · October 31, 2019

Top 30 Pedestrian & Driver Safety Tips for a Frightfully Fun Halloween

U.S. pedestrian fatalities is the highest in 26 years according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). On average, a pedestrian was killed nearly every 1.5

Read more →
AED
Insider · October 29, 2019

Do You Have an FDA-Approved AED For Your Business?

AEDs can be highly effective in saving the lives of people suffering cardiac arrest when used in the first few minutes following collapse from cardiac arrest. Read on to learn more

Read more →
Washington State Law
Insider · July 19, 2019

Washington State Registration Requirements for the Dental Lab

The state of Washington has passed registration requirements for each dental laboratory operating, doing business, or intending to operate or do business in this state.

Read more →
bleach corrosive
Insider · June 28, 2019

10 Tips For Safely Using Bleach

Many of our clients use bleach in their facilities. Keep in mind that it is a corrosive and can irritate or burn the skin and eyes. Employers must provide appropriate personal prot

Read more →
Hierarchy of Controls
Insider · April 30, 2019

Implementing the Hierarchy of Controls for Workplace Hazards

Identifying hazards and exposures to occupational hazards and then mitigating that risk before work begins should be the goal of all safety and health professionals. A great way to

Read more →
Incident investigation
Insider · February 27, 2019

Improve Your Safety Program Incident Investigation Procedure

As hard as employers try to prevent work-related injuries, they still happen. Hopefully, the injuries are minor. Even so, an employer should have a procedure in place to investigat

Read more →
Quality Improvement Team
Insider · November 15, 2018

Building a Quality Improvement Team

Perfecting your product and better serving your customers is the end result of a quality improvement team (QIT). A QIT should consist of a group of multi-skilled employees who will

Read more →
Flu Vaccination
Insider · October 23, 2018

Protect Your Workers and Your Business by Fighting the Flu

It’s obvious when the flu vaccine is ready since signs begin to appear at drug stores. Businesses should begin planning their actions to prevent influenza illness when the season a

Read more →
Preparedness
Insider · August 29, 2018

Emergency Preparedness

As a business owner or manager, you are a leader in your community and can set an example for your employees, customers, and community to follow. Even though September is National

Read more →
Benefits of a Dental Lab Quality System
Insider · August 27, 2018

Benefits of a Dental Lab Quality Management System

What is a Quality Management System and how can it benefit your dental laboratory? Find out here why businesses pursue certification and how your Quality Management System should b

Read more →
HIPAA Requirements 519863294.jpg
Insider · January 19, 2018

Understanding HIPAA Compliance

It's vital to ensure your business meets HIPAA compliance. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been actively inspecting businesses, otherwise referred to as Cover

Read more →
FDA 510k submission guidance
Insider · December 6, 2017

FDA 510 k submission guidance - does my product need a FDA 510k?

Have you developed or are you in the process of developing a product that is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)? FDA is responsible for protecting the public healt

Read more →
Brewery worker.jpg
Insider · November 16, 2017

SafeLink Consulting Offers Beverage Compliance Services

SafeLink Consulting, a premier provider of OSHA and FDA regulatory compliance services, offers health & safety programs and quality management system services to assist with bevera

Read more →
Driver Safety Training
Insider · October 18, 2017

Driver Safety Training

Driving a vehicle is one of the most dangerous acts we participate in each day. Statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows year after year that transportation-related inj

Read more →
Dental Compliance - Preventing Unnecessary Liabilities
Insider · February 8, 2017

Dental Compliance - Preventing Unnecessary Liabilities

By understanding and preventing unnecessary liabilities associated with patient chairside services your business can reduce risks and stay compliant. The services that the dental l

Read more →
FDA dental compliance
Insider · December 7, 2016

Learn why the dental lab may receive an FDA dental compliance notice

Your dental lab's website content and your FDA registration could be sending mixed signals to FDA. Dental labs are receiving notices from FDA asking for additional information on p

Read more →