3 Market Crossing,
Plymouth,
02360
Massachusetts,
United States
1-There are dentists that are using the Cavitron without an Isolite or rubber dam and high volume suction to help minimize spread of potentially COVID19 aerosols in the work area. 2-Employees have not been inform about the updated fresh air systems and HEPA filters that may have been added to help prevent spread of COVID19 in the work place. 3-Where employer reports not being able to purchase N95s or higher levels of respiratory protection, not all employees are using a face shield with their surgical mask as an alternative protection method until respirators can be obtained. 4--Employees have had to buy their own N95s without compensation for the cost. 5-Employer had not initialed medical evaluations and fit testing for the N95 that are available in the practice. 6-There continues to be occasions where up 7-8 employees are in a break room. Breaks are not consistently being staggered. 7-Management representative continue be seen not wearing face masks while inside the work place. 8-In the small laundry room clean and dirty scrubs are in the same room. The dirty laundry bin is not covered. The small cubicles used to store street clothes are in the room with the dirty scrubs and clean scrubs, and washing machine. 9-Employees are not provided protective gowns to protect from blood and saliva as well as aerosols that may contain COVID19. 10-Potentially contaminated lab coats are stored in a doctor's office closet when employees go to lunch Employees change in the small closet when returning from lunch. 11-Temperature taking of employees and patients is not consistently being conducted. Required forms are not being completed. 12-At both Dental Offices(Plymouth and Weymouth): A Plexi glass shield has not been installed to help minimize spread of COVID from patients to employees working at the front desk. The distance between patient and staff at front desk is not always being maintained at 6 or more. 13 TRAINING; Recent COVID training In July, provided by a Consultant did not make it comfortable for employee to ask questions. During the training there were concerns among attendees about the following information provided. Allegedly the trainer alleged the COVID pandemic just drama when compared to other viruses. Employees were told that if a patient did not have fever then risk of COVID19 was virtually eliminated. The risk of COVID19 from pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic patients was not discussed in training. Employee were told that they would not get sick if they contracted COVID from an asymptomatic patient. Long term effects of COVID19 on the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, and blood vessels were not discussed. Information on requirement to wear(during any aerosol generating procedures) and the effectiveness of respiratory protection including N95 filtering face pieces or higher levers of respiratory protection, was not discussed. Trainer discouraged employees from wearing respiratory protection, including N95 respirators.
Alleged Hazards: 13, Employees Exposed: 20
Source: Osha.gov | Receipt Date: 2020-08-28
