While OSHA requires many employers to keep OSHA injury and illness records, the dental profession is largely exempt because of the two specific standards listed below. The unintended outcome of exempting dental offices is that any injuries from exposure to dental mercury will go unreported, thus leading to misleading assumption that dental mercury does not cause harm to dental employees.

1904.1(a)(1)

If your company had 10 or fewer employees at all times during the last calendar year, you do not need to keep OSHA injury and illness records unless OSHA or the Bureau of Labor Statistics informs you in writing that you must keep records under § 1904.41 or § 1904.42. However, as required by § 1904.39, all employers covered by the OSH Act must report to OSHA any work-related incident that results in a fatality, the in-patient hospitalization of one or more employees, an employee amputation, or an employee loss of an eye.

1904.2(a)(1)

If your business establishment is classified in a specific industry group listed in appendix A to this subpart, you do not need to keep OSHA injury and illness records unless the government asks you to keep the records under § 1904.41 or § 1904.42. However, all employers must report to OSHA any workplace incident that results in an employee’s fatality, in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye (see § 1904.39).

NON-MANDATORY APPENDIX A TO SUBPART B OF PART 1904—PARTIALLY EXEMPT INDUSTRIES = NAICS CODE 6212. Offices of Dentists.

Since there are times when you might need to submit and injury and illness report, we have included the OSHA standard, documentations and forms below.

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