General Industry
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.
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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
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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,
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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. {
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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
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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
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OSHA Releases Updated Job Safety & Health Workplace Poster: What Employers Need to Know
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released an updated Job Safety and Health Workplace Poster as part of its “OSHA Cares” initiative. The poster reminds w
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The Risk & Compliance Paradox: Why Dental & Healthcare Organizations Are Overtrained Yet Under-Supported
In the complex world of healthcare risk & compliance management, a troubling pattern has emerged across dental labs, dental practices, medical offices, and small health and wellnes
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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
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Reminder to Employers: Post and Submit OSHA Injury & Illness Data
OSHA requires many employers to complete, certify and post OSHA's Form 300A each year to summarize work-related injuries and illnesses. This reminder outlines who must post, where
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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
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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
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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
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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,
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Benefits of a Document Control System in a QMS
The paperwork generated by a Quality Management System (QMS) can be overwhelming unless you implement a structure that is simple and user-friendly. The data can be retained in auto
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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
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Listening to the Voice of the Customer (VOC)
In today’s competitive business environment, having effective methods in place to capture the Voice of the Customer (VOC) is essential. Listening to your customers enables your bus
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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
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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
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How Would Your Management Controls Stand Up in an FDA Inspection?
One part, and usually the initial part, of an FDA inspection covers management controls. If you have a Quality Management System developed, then the documentation should be in plac
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Work Smarter, Not Harder: Ergonomic and Safety Tips
If you’ve ever ended a long day with a sore back, stiff shoulders, or cramped fingers, you’re not alone. Whether you're at a desk, in a production environment, or working chairside
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7 Steps to Successfully Navigating FDA Renewal Registration
If your facility is FDA registered, October 1 marks the start of a crucial renewal period. It is imperative to complete the renewal process by December 31 to maintain an active reg
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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
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Fire Prevention Awareness: Tips to Keep you from Getting Burned
October is Fire Prevention Awareness Month! The perfect time to stop, drop, and... rethink the fire safety protocols in your dental practice or lab.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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New Requirements for Preventing Workplace Violence in California
Workplace safety is a critical concern for employees and employers alike. Recognizing the need for enhanced protections, California recently passed Senate Bill 553 (SB 553), which
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Why a Business Needs an Emergency Action Plan for Workplace Violence
Workplace violence is a serious concern for businesses across the United States, posing significant risks to employees' safety and well-being. While California's new Senate Bill 55
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A Memorable Experience at the Annual OSAP/ADS Conference
This year's annual OSAP Conference was a wonderful gathering of dental industry enthusiasts held at the stunning Westin La Paloma Resort in Tucson, Arizona. The event provided a fa
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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
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The Environmental Hazards of Mercury from Dental Offices
Mercury, a potent neurotoxin, poses significant environmental and public health risks when released into the environment, and dental offices are a notable source of mercury polluti
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Beyond Decibels: The Sneaky Culprits of Hearing Loss
We live in a world full of remarkable and diverse sounds, from the soothing melody of raindrops to the rhythmic hum of a bustling city. But amidst this symphony, there's a sneaky v
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Workplace Violence: Tragedy Strikes at El Cajon Dental Office
A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded at a dental office in El Cajon, California, resulting in the loss of one life and injuries to two individuals. The shooter, a disgruntled former pa
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Delta Dental of California Faces Massive Data Breach
In a recent and alarming revelation, Delta Dental of California, a major player in the dental insurance sector, has fallen victim to a data breach affecting more than 6.9 million i
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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
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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
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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 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
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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
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Measuring Suitability and Effectiveness of your Quality System
As this year comes to a close and organizations move forward with their business planning for the new year, it’s important to remember that the Quality Management System (QMS) requ
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Urgent FDA Recall: Saline and Sterile Water Products Alert
On November 6, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informed the public of a recall affecting certain brands of saline and sterile water products. This recall holds si
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Sound Advice: Protecting Your Hearing in the World of Dentistry
Hey there, dedicated dental pros! Let's chat about noise in our industry. You know what they say, too much noise can be a real pain in the ears! Today, we embark on a journey to sh
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What's in Your Water - Importance of Dental Unit Waterline Maintenance
Dental unit waterlines have become a significant concern in the dental industry, capturing widespread attention after numerous individuals, including hundreds of children, fell vic
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Eye Protection: Eyes on the Prize in Protecting your Peepers
Picture this: You're in a bustling dental practice or dental laboratory, surrounded by all the whirring gadgets and gizmos that make dentistry look like magic. As a dental and lab
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The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: What Employers Need to Know
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) is a federal law aimed at safeguarding the rights of pregnant employees and individuals with childbirth-related medical conditions. Despite
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Stopping Workplace Violence - No One Should be Afraid to Come to Work!
Caring for others should not increase your chances of workplace violence, yet somehow it does. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), health care wo
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SafeLink Consulting can help you confidently manage an OSHA inspection
With a 17% increase in budget and a 19% increase in OSHA inspectors, also known as compliance safety and health officers, it is safe to expect a significant increase in OSHA inspec
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6 Types of QMS Audits & Why Your Business Should Perform Them
What is a Quality Management System (QMS) Internal Audit and why is it so important? Understanding the purpose and accepting the value of a Quality Audit is vital for the effective
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The Value of Writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
The basis for all quality management systems is to establish standardized processes throughout the organization that produce consistent desired results. Virtually every responsibil
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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
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Gary Morgan, CDT, CQA/ASQ Receives NADL Merit Award
Congratulations to Gary Morgan, CDT, CQA/ASQ, on being presented the NADL Merit Award for Outstanding Achievements at the 2023 NADL Vision 21 Meeting in Las Vegas. Gary was present
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OSHA's General Duty Clause Ups the Ante on Safety
The old idiom ignorance is bliss may be true in some circumstances, but not when it comes to ensuring the safety of your employees. Despite having strict safety policies in place a
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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.
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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
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Is ISO 13485 a Requirement for the Dental Laboratory?
As you may be aware, the Food and Drug Administration announced a couple of years ago that it would be making changes to the Quality System Regulation (CFR Title 21 Part 820). This
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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Raising Hepatitis Awareness - How Employers Can Help
The month of May is designated as Hepatitis Awareness Month in the United States. Throughout the month, federal, state, and local public health partners work to shed light on the i
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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
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OSHA Civil Penalties Increase
Effective January 13th, OSHA released a memorandum notifying the public of an increase to their penalty rates by 6.22%. This adjustment is intended to maintain the deterrent effect
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Reviewing Your Facility's FDA Registration
Has your business been registered with the FDA? Have you updated your registration for the new year?
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Tips for FDA Registration Renewal
Don't forget to complete your FDA registration renewal before the end of the year if your establishment is registered with FDA. The renewal period runs from October 1 to December 3
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OSHA First Aid Requirements
In the event of an injury, are you complying with OSHA's requirement to provide a first aid kit, and to train an employee to render first aid? Most businesses do not understand how
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The Real Cost of a Workplace Safety Program and Its Hidden Value
Health and Safety programs tend to be one of the last programs businesses invest in during a major growth stage. Furthermore, for a management team in cost-savings mode, Health and
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National Preparedness Month - Emergency Preparedness Plan Guide
The National Safety Council and the U.S. government recognize September as the official National Preparedness Month in the heart of Hurricane season. If you don’t live in a hurrica
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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
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Does the OSHA ETS Published June 2021 Apply to Your Dental Practice or Lab?
Since CDC's Guidance was issued on May 28, 2021 and OSHA's Emergency Temporary Standard for healthcare became effective on June 21, 2021, SafeLink Consulting has received questions
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Dental Labs Could Receive FDA Remote Assessment Request
FDA is trying out a new procedure in lieu of an onsite audit during the pandemic. Dental laboratories may receive a letter from FDA requesting them to participate in a compliance a
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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
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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
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Qualifying Alternate Vendors - Why It Is So Important!
There have certainly been some tough lessons learned from the current pandemic. For a lot of businesses, a primary takeaway is how planning ahead and having a secondary resource fo
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CAUTION! Using Bleach as a Disinfectant
SARS-CoV-2 has created many shortages and that includes disinfectants. What do you do when you’re unable to purchase brand name disinfectants? Bleach seems to be an alternative for
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Reporting COVID-19 Cases to OSHA: Clearing up the Confusion
When it comes to COVID-19, what defines an "incident" and when does the clock start ticking for reporting? OSHA has existing injury and illness recording and reporting requirements
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Is this the Flu or COVID-19?
With many symptoms of COVID-19 mirroring those of Influenza (flu), the magnitude of the 2020-2021 flu season will be anybody’s guess! On one hand, there is hope that current practi
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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.
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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
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Ergonomics - How to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD’s) continue to be at the top of the list for work-related injuries so it makes sense that MSD’s are the most frequently reported work-related causes
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