Dental Laboratory Safety Manual

What Should a Dental Laboratory Safety Manual Include?

The contents of a Dental Laboratory Safety Manual should reflect the laboratory’s actual processes and occupational hazards.

Depending on operations, the manual may address:

• Dental laboratory safety responsibilities.
• Hazard assessments.
• Safety inspections.
• Dental laboratory dust control.
• Beryllium exposure.
• Respirable crystalline silica.
• Metal and alloy exposure.
• Grinding and polishing.
• Abrasive blasting.
• Casting and furnace operations.
• Acrylics, resins, and monomers.
• Hazard Communication.
• Local exhaust ventilation.
• Respiratory protection.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Machine guarding.
• Lockout/Tagout.
• Compressed gases.
• Soldering and brazing.
• CAD/CAM equipment.
• Dental 3D printing.
• Noise.
• Ergonomics.
• Infection-control-related employee exposures.
• Emergency procedures.

Programs should be selected according to the materials, chemicals, equipment, and processes actually present.

Dental Laboratory Safety Program

An effective Dental Laboratory Safety Program establishes responsibilities and procedures for identifying occupational hazards, controlling employee exposure, maintaining safe equipment, and preventing injuries and illnesses associated with dental laboratory operations.

Management should provide employees with the engineering controls, equipment, ventilation, PPE, training, procedures, and other resources necessary to perform assigned work safely.

Managers, supervisors, and designated safety personnel should:

• Identify workplace hazards.
• Evaluate employee exposures.
• Maintain applicable written safety programs.
• Review Safety Data Sheets.
• Evaluate dental alloys and other materials.
• Provide appropriate ventilation and dust controls.
• Provide required PPE.
• Maintain machinery and equipment.
• Conduct safety inspections.
• Correct unsafe conditions.
• Investigate occupational injuries and exposures.
• Provide employee training.
• Maintain applicable records.

Employees should follow established procedures, use required engineering controls and PPE, operate equipment safely, maintain good housekeeping, and promptly report unsafe conditions, equipment defects, injuries, exposures, and other workplace hazards.

Dental Laboratory Hazard Assessments

The laboratory should evaluate hazards associated with employee job classifications, work areas, equipment, materials, and processes.

Potential hazards may include:

• Beryllium-containing alloys.
• Silica-containing materials.
• Metal dusts and fumes.
• Grinding and polishing dust.
• Acrylic dust.
• Ceramic dust.
• Gypsum and plaster dust.
• Chemical vapors.
• Resins and monomers.
• Solvents.
• Rotating equipment.
• Furnaces.
• Hot materials.
• Compressed gases.
• Electrical equipment.
• Noise.
• Repetitive work.

Hazard assessments should be reviewed when materials, equipment, chemicals, manufacturing methods, or workplace conditions change significantly.

Dental Laboratory Safety Inspections

Periodic workplace inspections can help identify unsafe conditions before they contribute to employee injuries or illnesses.

Inspections may include:

• Grinding and polishing stations.
• Casting areas.
• Furnaces.
• Abrasive-blasting equipment.
• Dust-collection systems.
• Local exhaust ventilation.
• CAD/CAM equipment.
• 3D printing areas.
• Chemical storage.
• Compressed gas cylinders.
• Electrical equipment.
• Emergency equipment.
• Walking-working surfaces.

Identified deficiencies should be documented and corrected in a timely manner.

Job Safety Analysis (JSA/JHA)

A Job Safety Analysis (JSA/JHA) may be useful for dental laboratory operations where a step-by-step hazard evaluation can improve employee protection.

Potential JSAs/JHAs may address:

• Grinding and polishing.
• Abrasive blasting.
• Alloy casting.
• Furnace operation.
• Dental-lathe operation.
• CAD/CAM milling.
• 3D printing and post-processing.
• Chemical handling.
• Compressed gas cylinder handling.
• Soldering and brazing.
• Equipment maintenance.

Dental Laboratory Dust Control

Dental laboratory processes can generate airborne dust during grinding, cutting, polishing, finishing, blasting, mixing, milling, and other operations.

Depending on the materials being processed, dust may contain:

• Beryllium.
• Silica.
• Cobalt.
• Chromium.
• Nickel.
• Other metals.
• Ceramics.
• Acrylics.
• Gypsum.
• Plaster.
• Abrasive media.

The laboratory should identify the materials being processed and evaluate employee exposure where necessary.

Engineering Controls

Engineering controls should be the primary means of reducing airborne contaminants where feasible.

Potential controls include:

• Local exhaust ventilation.
• Enclosed equipment.
• Dust-collection systems.
• Downdraft workstations.
• Ventilated grinding stations.
• Wet methods where appropriate.
• Process isolation.
• Closed blasting cabinets.

Controls should capture contaminants as close as practical to their source.

Local Exhaust Ventilation

Local exhaust ventilation can reduce employee exposure by capturing dust, fumes, or vapors before they enter the employee’s breathing zone or spread through the laboratory.

Ventilation systems should be:

• Appropriate for the process.
• Properly positioned.
• Maintained in effective operating condition.
• Inspected as appropriate.
• Used whenever required by the process.

Employees should report damaged or ineffective ventilation.

Dust-Collection Systems

Dust collectors should be maintained according to manufacturer instructions and workplace procedures.

Maintenance should address:

• Filters.
• Collection containers.
• Ductwork.
• Hoses.
• Seals.
• Airflow.
• Disposal of collected material.

Employees performing maintenance should be protected from concentrated dust exposure.

Enclosed Grinding Stations

Where feasible, grinding and finishing operations that generate substantial dust may be performed within ventilated enclosures or at workstations designed to capture airborne material.

Employees should position work so the ventilation system can effectively capture contaminants.

Wet Methods — When Appropriate

Wet methods may reduce airborne dust during certain operations when compatible with the material, equipment, and process.

Wet methods should not introduce electrical, chemical, biological, or other hazards.

HEPA Vacuuming

Where appropriate for the contaminant, suitable HEPA-filtered vacuum equipment may be used for cleaning fine hazardous dust.

Vacuum equipment should be maintained and emptied in a manner that minimizes employee exposure.

Compressed-Air Cleaning

Compressed air should not be used to clean clothing, skin, work surfaces, or equipment when doing so could create hazardous airborne dust or violate applicable OSHA requirements.

Safer cleaning methods should be used.

Beryllium Safety — When Applicable

Some dental alloys may contain beryllium.

Dental laboratory operations involving beryllium-containing materials can potentially expose employees during:

• Casting.
• Sprue cutting.
• Grinding.
• Polishing.
• Finishing.
• Equipment cleaning.
• Housekeeping.

The laboratory should determine whether materials contain beryllium by reviewing product information and Safety Data Sheets.

Beryllium-Containing Dental Alloys

When beryllium-containing alloys are used, the employer should evaluate applicability of OSHA’s Beryllium requirements.

Controls should be based on:

• Material composition.
• Work processes.
• Potential airborne exposure.
• Potential dermal contact.
• Applicable exposure-assessment requirements.

Where feasible, material substitution may be considered as a means of eliminating the hazard.

Alloy Identification

Employees should be able to identify the alloys and materials they are working with.

The laboratory should maintain applicable:

• Product labels.
• Safety Data Sheets.
• Purchasing information.
• Material specifications.

Unknown alloys should be evaluated before employees perform processes that could generate hazardous dust or fumes.

Beryllium Exposure Assessment

Where the Beryllium standard applies, employee exposure should be assessed as required.

Exposure evaluation may consider:

• Air monitoring.
• Objective data.
• Material composition.
• Grinding processes.
• Casting.
• Finishing.
• Existing engineering controls.

Employees should be informed of exposure-assessment results as required.

Beryllium Work Areas — When Required

Where required by applicable Beryllium provisions, appropriate work areas should be established and controlled.

Procedures may address:

• Access.
• Signage.
• Work practices.
• PPE.
• Housekeeping.
• Contaminated equipment.
• Employee training.

Beryllium Housekeeping

Beryllium-containing dust should not be allowed to accumulate on work surfaces, equipment, floors, or employee clothing.

Cleaning methods should minimize airborne contamination.

Employees should follow applicable requirements concerning vacuuming, wet cleaning, compressed air, and other housekeeping methods.

Beryllium PPE

Where required, appropriate PPE may include:

• Protective clothing.
• Gloves.
• Eye protection.
• Respiratory protection.

PPE should be selected according to the task and employee exposure.

Procedures should prevent unnecessary transfer of beryllium contamination outside the work area.

Beryllium Medical Surveillance — When Required

Employees meeting applicable criteria under OSHA’s Beryllium standard should be offered required medical surveillance.

The employer should maintain required records and protect employee medical confidentiality.

Respirable Crystalline Silica — When Applicable

Some dental laboratory materials and processes may create respirable crystalline silica exposure.

Potential exposure can occur when silica-containing materials are:

• Ground.
• Cut.
• Polished.
• Finished.
• Abrasive blasted.
• Otherwise processed in a manner that generates respirable dust.

The laboratory should determine whether materials contain crystalline silica and evaluate employee exposure where necessary.

Silica-Containing Materials

Safety Data Sheets and manufacturer information should be reviewed to determine whether products contain crystalline silica.

Potential materials may include certain:

• Investments.
• Ceramics.
• Abrasives.
• Other mineral-based products.

Material composition should be verified rather than assumed.

Silica Exposure Assessment

Where employees may be exposed to respirable crystalline silica, the employer should determine whether exposure assessment is necessary under applicable requirements.

Evaluation may include:

• Work practices.
• Material composition.
• Process duration.
• Existing engineering controls.
• Air monitoring.
• Objective data.

Silica Dust Controls

Potential controls may include:

• Local exhaust ventilation.
• Enclosed processes.
• Wet methods where appropriate.
• Dust collection.
• Suitable vacuum cleaning.
• Material substitution.

Respirators should not be used as a substitute for feasible engineering and work-practice controls where such controls are required.

Respiratory Protection — When Required

When respirators are required to protect employees from airborne contaminants, the laboratory should maintain an appropriate Respiratory Protection Program.

Applicable elements may include:

• Hazard evaluation.
• Respirator selection.
• Medical evaluation.
• Fit testing.
• Training.
• Inspection.
• Maintenance.
• Program evaluation.

Respirator selection should reflect the specific contaminant and exposure.

Metal and Alloy Safety

Dental laboratories may work with alloys containing various metals.

Depending on materials used, potential constituents may include:

• Cobalt.
• Chromium.
• Nickel.
• Beryllium.
• Other metals.

Employee hazards should be evaluated according to the actual composition of the alloys and the processes performed.

Metal Dust and Fumes

Grinding, polishing, cutting, casting, soldering, brazing, and other operations can potentially generate metal dust or fumes.

Controls may include:

• Material substitution.
• Local exhaust ventilation.
• Process enclosure.
• Appropriate work practices.
• PPE.
• Respiratory protection where required.

Grinding and Polishing Safety

Grinding and polishing are common dental laboratory activities that can create hazards involving:

• Flying particles.
• Airborne dust.
• Rotating equipment.
• Entanglement.
• Eye injuries.
• Noise.
• Ergonomic stress.

Equipment should be properly maintained and employees should use appropriate guards, ventilation, and PPE.

Dental Lathes

Employees using dental lathes and polishing equipment should:

• Inspect equipment before use.
• Use appropriate guards.
• Secure attachments.
• Keep hands away from rotating components.
• Avoid loose clothing and jewelry.
• Secure long hair.
• Use required eye and face protection.
• Use dust collection where appropriate.

Equipment should be stopped before adjustments are made unless the adjustment is specifically designed to be performed while operating.

Bench Grinders

Bench grinders should be appropriately guarded and maintained.

Employees should inspect:

• Grinding wheels.
• Guards.
• Tool rests.
• Electrical components.
• Work areas.

Damaged or defective equipment should be removed from service.

Rotary Tools

Handheld rotary tools should be used with appropriate burs, discs, stones, or other attachments.

Attachments should be:

• Appropriate for the tool.
• Properly secured.
• Used within rated operating limits.
• Inspected for damage.

Employees should use appropriate eye protection.

Flying Particles

Grinding, cutting, polishing, and finishing can generate chips, fragments, and particles.

Appropriate eye or face protection should be used.

Face shields should supplement rather than replace required primary eye protection when both are necessary.

Loose Clothing, Hair and Jewelry

Loose clothing, long hair, jewelry, gloves, or other items can become caught in rotating machinery.

Employees should secure clothing and hair and avoid wearing items that create entanglement hazards.

Abrasive Blasting — When Applicable

Some dental laboratories use small abrasive-blasting units for cleaning, finishing, or preparing dental components.

Potential hazards include:

• Airborne dust.
• Abrasive particles.
• Contaminants from the material being blasted.
• Compressed air.
• Eye exposure.

The hazards depend on both the abrasive media and the material being processed.

Blast Cabinets

Where blast cabinets are used, employees should inspect:

• Cabinet integrity.
• Viewing windows.
• Gloves.
• Seals.
• Dust collection.
• Hoses.
• Controls.

Damaged equipment should be repaired before continued use when the defect affects employee protection.

Abrasive Media

The composition of abrasive media should be identified.

The laboratory should not assume that a product is free from silica or other hazardous constituents without reviewing manufacturer information or Safety Data Sheets.

Casting and Furnace Safety

Dental laboratory casting and furnace operations may expose employees to:

• Hot surfaces.
• Molten materials.
• Burns.
• Heat.
• Metal fumes.
• Electrical hazards.
• Fire.
• Compressed gases.

Employees should receive task-specific training before independently operating casting or furnace equipment.

Burnout Furnaces

Burnout furnaces should be:

• Installed according to manufacturer requirements.
• Maintained in safe condition.
• Located away from inappropriate combustible materials.
• Operated by trained personnel.

Employees should use appropriate tools and PPE when handling hot materials.

Porcelain and Ceramic Furnaces

Ceramic and porcelain furnaces can create burn and electrical hazards.

Employees should:

• Avoid contact with hot surfaces.
• Use appropriate tools.
• Allow materials to cool.
• Report damaged electrical components.
• Follow manufacturer procedures.

Hot Materials

Recently fired, cast, or heated materials may remain dangerously hot even when they do not appear hot.

Appropriate tools, heat-resistant gloves, or other controls should be used where necessary.

Molten Metal — When Applicable

Employees working with molten metals should be protected from splashes, spills, and hot surfaces.

Appropriate controls may include:

• Equipment guards.
• Face protection.
• Heat-resistant PPE.
• Appropriate tools.
• Safe work areas.
• Fire-prevention measures.

Acrylics, Resins and Monomers

Dental laboratories may use acrylic resins, monomers, adhesives, solvents, and other chemicals during fabrication and repair.

Potential hazards may involve:

• Skin contact.
• Eye contact.
• Vapors.
• Fire.
• Chemical spills.

Employees should follow product labels, Safety Data Sheets, and established procedures.

Methyl Methacrylate — When Used

Products containing methyl methacrylate or other volatile monomers should be handled according to applicable hazard information.

Controls may include:

• Ventilation.
• Closed containers.
• Appropriate storage.
• Gloves.
• Eye protection.
• Spill procedures.
• Ignition-source control.

Chemical Storage

Chemicals should be stored according to their hazards and manufacturer instructions.

Incompatible chemicals should be appropriately separated.

Flammable products should be stored and handled according to applicable requirements.

Chemical Spill Response

Employees should know how to respond to chemical spills within the limits of their training and available protection.

Procedures should address:

• Area control.
• PPE.
• Ventilation.
• Spill materials.
• Cleanup.
• Waste.
• Emergency assistance.

Employees should not attempt to control releases requiring capabilities beyond their training.

Hazard Communication

The dental laboratory should maintain a Hazard Communication Program where employees may be exposed to hazardous chemicals.

The program should address:

• Chemical inventories.
• Safety Data Sheets.
• Container labeling.
• Employee training.
• Non-routine tasks.
• Chemical hazards associated with laboratory processes.

Safety Data Sheets

Safety Data Sheets should be readily accessible to employees.

SDS information can help determine:

• Material composition.
• Health hazards.
• Exposure controls.
• PPE.
• Storage requirements.
• Spill procedures.
• First aid.

SDSs should be reviewed when evaluating new materials.

Secondary Container Labeling

Chemicals transferred into secondary containers should be labeled as required.

Unidentified containers should not remain in use.

Employees should understand the laboratory’s labeling system.

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE should be selected according to employee hazards.

Depending on operations, PPE may include:

• Safety glasses.
• Goggles.
• Face shields.
• Chemical-resistant gloves.
• Protective clothing.
• Heat-resistant gloves.
• Respiratory protection.
• Hearing protection.
• Protective footwear.

PPE should be readily available where employees need it.

Eye and Face Protection

Eye and face hazards may occur during:

• Grinding.
• Polishing.
• Cutting.
• Abrasive blasting.
• Casting.
• Chemical handling.
• Compressed-air operations.

Appropriate safety glasses, goggles, or face shields should be selected according to the hazard.

Hand Protection

Gloves should be selected according to the task.

Different gloves may be required for:

• Chemical handling.
• Hot materials.
• Contaminated dental items.
• General material handling.

Employees should avoid wearing gloves near rotating equipment when the glove itself could create an entanglement hazard.

Machine Guarding

Powered dental laboratory equipment should have required guards and safety devices in place.

Potential equipment includes:

• Grinders.
• Polishers.
• Lathes.
• Milling machines.
• Dust collectors.
• Compressors.
• Casting equipment.
• Other powered machinery.

Employees should not remove, bypass, or defeat required guards or interlocks.

Equipment Interlocks

Equipment equipped with interlocks should not be operated with interlocks intentionally defeated unless an authorized servicing procedure permits and appropriately controls the hazard.

Defective interlocks should be reported.

Emergency Stops

Where equipment is provided with emergency-stop controls, employees should know their location and proper use.

Emergency-stop devices should remain accessible.

Equipment Inspection

Employees should inspect equipment as appropriate before use.

Potential defects include:

• Damaged cords.
• Missing guards.
• Cracked wheels.
• Loose attachments.
• Abnormal vibration.
• Damaged hoses.
• Malfunctioning controls.

Unsafe equipment should be removed from service or otherwise controlled until repaired.

Lockout/Tagout — When Applicable

Certain maintenance and servicing activities may expose employees to hazardous energy.

Where applicable, energy-control procedures should address:

• Shutdown.
• Energy isolation.
• Lockout or tagout.
• Stored energy.
• Verification.
• Return to service.

Employees should not rely solely on normal operating controls when Lockout/Tagout is required.

Electrical Safety

Dental laboratories may use numerous electrically powered devices and machines.

Employees should report:

• Damaged cords.
• Broken plugs.
• Exposed wiring.
• Damaged receptacles.
• Sparking.
• Electrical shocks.
• Other electrical defects.

Only qualified personnel should perform electrical work requiring specialized training.

Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety

Dental laboratories may use compressed gases for torches, casting equipment, soldering, brazing, or other processes.

Cylinders should be:

• Secured.
• Protected from damage.
• Stored appropriately.
• Transported using suitable equipment.
• Protected from inappropriate heat or ignition sources.

Regulators, Hoses and Connections

Regulators, hoses, and fittings should be appropriate for the gas and equipment.

Employees should inspect systems for:

• Damage.
• Deterioration.
• Loose connections.
• Leaks.
• Contamination.

Damaged components should not be used.

Cylinder Transport

Appropriate carts or carriers should be used to move cylinders.

Valve-protection caps should be used where applicable.

Employees should not roll, drag, or intentionally drop compressed gas cylinders.

Soldering and Brazing — When Applicable

Some dental laboratory operations may involve soldering, brazing, or torch work.

Potential hazards include:

• Open flames.
• Hot materials.
• Metal fumes.
• Compressed gases.
• Eye hazards.
• Fire.

Employees should receive appropriate training and use required ventilation and PPE.

Torch Safety

Torches should be inspected before use and operated according to manufacturer instructions.

Employees should control:

• Ignition sources.
• Gas connections.
• Hoses.
• Regulators.
• Combustible materials.
• Hot workpieces.

Torches should not be left unattended while operating.

Fire Prevention

Fire-prevention procedures should address:

• Flammable chemicals.
• Acrylic monomers.
• Compressed gases.
• Torch work.
• Furnaces.
• Electrical equipment.
• Combustible materials.

Fire extinguishers and required exit routes should remain accessible.

CAD/CAM Dental Laboratory Safety

Modern dental laboratories may use computer-aided design and manufacturing systems for scanning, designing, milling, and producing dental restorations.

Potential hazards may include:

• Moving machinery.
• Cutting tools.
• Dust.
• Coolants.
• Electrical equipment.
• Automated equipment.

Employees should follow manufacturer instructions and maintain guards and interlocks.

CAD/CAM Milling Machines

Milling machines should be operated with required guards and doors closed.

Employees should not reach into moving machinery.

Procedures should address:

• Tool changes.
• Cleaning.
• Dust or coolant.
• Maintenance.
• Broken tooling.
• Lockout/Tagout when applicable.

Digital Scanners and Computer Workstations

Employees who perform prolonged scanning and design work may experience ergonomic stress.

Workstations should be arranged to support:

• Neutral posture.
• Appropriate monitor height.
• Comfortable input-device use.
• Adequate lighting.
• Appropriate seating.

Dental 3D Printing — When Applicable

Dental 3D printing may involve uncured photopolymer resins, cleaning solvents, post-processing equipment, and ultraviolet curing systems.

Employee-safety procedures should reflect the printer, resin, cleaning chemicals, and curing equipment used.

Photopolymer Resins

Uncured resins should be handled according to manufacturer hazard information.

Potential controls may include:

• Chemical-resistant gloves.
• Eye protection.
• Ventilation.
• Closed containers.
• Spill procedures.
• Hand hygiene.

Employees should avoid unnecessary skin contact with uncured resin.

3D Printing Solvents

Isopropyl alcohol or other solvents may be used during post-processing.

Where used, procedures should address:

• Flammability.
• Ventilation.
• Chemical storage.
• PPE.
• Spill response.
• Waste.

Containers should remain closed when not in use.

UV Curing Equipment

Employees should follow manufacturer procedures for UV curing equipment.

Protective enclosures, covers, and interlocks should remain in place.

Employees should avoid unnecessary exposure to ultraviolet energy.

3D Printing Waste

Uncured resin, contaminated wipes, solvents, and other 3D-printing waste should be managed according to the material’s hazards and applicable waste requirements.

Employees should not dispose of hazardous chemical waste as ordinary trash unless permitted by applicable requirements.

Noise Exposure

Grinding, polishing, compressed air, dust collectors, compressors, and other equipment may contribute to occupational noise.

The laboratory should evaluate noise exposure where employee exposures may be significant.

Controls may include:

• Quieter equipment.
• Equipment maintenance.
• Isolation.
• Enclosures.
• Work-practice controls.
• Hearing protection.

Hearing Conservation — When Required

Where employee noise exposure reaches applicable OSHA thresholds, the employer should implement required Hearing Conservation measures.

These may include:

• Noise monitoring.
• Audiometric testing.
• Hearing protection.
• Training.
• Recordkeeping.

Dental Laboratory Ergonomics

Dental laboratory work often involves precision hand work, prolonged sitting, static postures, repetitive movements, and close visual tasks.

Potential ergonomic concerns include:

• Neck flexion.
• Shoulder posture.
• Repetitive hand movements.
• Wrist deviation.
• Forceful gripping.
• Prolonged sitting.
• Microscope work.
• Fine-detail work.

Workstation Design

Workstations should be arranged to reduce unnecessary reaching, bending, twisting, and awkward posture.

Considerations may include:

• Work height.
• Chair adjustment.
• Foot support.
• Tool placement.
• Lighting.
• Magnification.
• Material placement.

Repetitive Hand Work

Grinding, waxing, finishing, polishing, and other precision activities may involve repetitive hand and wrist movements.

Potential controls may include:

• Ergonomic tools.
• Appropriate grip size.
• Task rotation.
• Work-rest practices.
• Workstation adjustment.

Lighting and Magnification

Adequate task lighting and appropriate magnification can reduce unnecessary forward bending and eye strain during precision work.

Lighting should be positioned to reduce glare and shadows.

Receiving Dental Cases

Dental appliances, impressions, prostheses, and other items received from dental offices may potentially be contaminated with biological material.

The laboratory should maintain appropriate procedures for receiving and handling incoming cases.

Potentially Contaminated Dental Items

Employees handling potentially contaminated items should use appropriate precautions.

Procedures may address:

• Gloves.
• Hand hygiene.
• Cleaning.
• Disinfection.
• Work-area separation.
• Handling containers.

The level of protection should reflect the actual exposure.

Bloodborne Pathogens — When Applicable

The employer should determine whether any dental laboratory job classifications have reasonably anticipated occupational exposure to human blood or other potentially infectious materials.

Where such occupational exposure exists, applicable Bloodborne Pathogens requirements should be implemented.

Bloodborne Pathogens coverage should be based on employee duties and anticipated exposure rather than assuming that every dental laboratory employee is occupationally exposed.

Cleaning and Disinfection

Incoming dental items should be handled according to established laboratory procedures.

Employees should use appropriate PPE when handling items that may be contaminated.

Chemicals used for disinfection should be included in the Hazard Communication Program where applicable.

Housekeeping

Good housekeeping is particularly important in dental laboratories because settled dust can become airborne again and may contaminate work surfaces, equipment, clothing, and other areas.

Housekeeping procedures should address:

• Dust.
• Metal particles.
• Chemical spills.
• Waste.
• Walkways.
• Work surfaces.
• Equipment.

Cleaning methods should not unnecessarily disperse hazardous contaminants.

Laboratory Clothing

Where work can contaminate employee clothing with hazardous dust or chemicals, appropriate protective clothing should be provided and used as required.

Employees should avoid carrying hazardous contamination into vehicles or homes.

Contaminated protective clothing should be handled according to applicable procedures.

Slips, Trips and Falls

Dental laboratories should maintain floors and walking-working surfaces in safe condition.

Potential hazards include:

• Electrical cords.
• Hoses.
• Equipment.
• Chemical spills.
• Materials.
• Boxes.
• Uneven surfaces.

Hazards should be corrected or controlled promptly.

Emergency Action Plan

The dental laboratory should maintain emergency procedures appropriate to its operations.

The Emergency Action Plan may address:

• Fire.
• Chemical releases.
• Gas leaks.
• Medical emergencies.
• Power failure.
• Severe weather.
• Evacuation.
• Other workplace emergencies.

Employees should understand alarms, evacuation routes, communication methods, and assigned responsibilities.

Chemical Exposure Response

Employees should know how to respond to skin, eye, or inhalation exposure involving workplace chemicals.

Appropriate:

• Eyewash facilities.
• Emergency washing equipment.
• First-aid procedures.
• Medical evaluation.
• Exposure reporting.

should be available as required by the hazards present.

First Aid and Employee Injuries

Employees should promptly report occupational injuries and illnesses.

Potential incidents may include:

• Eye injuries.
• Cuts.
• Burns.
• Chemical exposure.
• Respiratory exposure.
• Musculoskeletal injuries.
• Electrical shock.
• Falls.

Prompt reporting allows appropriate medical evaluation and helps identify hazards requiring corrective action.

Incident Investigation

Occupational injuries, exposures, equipment failures, fires, chemical spills, and significant near misses should be evaluated.

Investigations should focus on identifying contributing causes and corrective actions.

Potential corrective actions may involve:

• Ventilation.
• Equipment.
• Materials.
• Procedures.
• Training.
• PPE.
• Housekeeping.
• Maintenance.

Dental Laboratory Safety Training

Employee training should reflect assigned duties and occupational exposures.

Depending on responsibilities, training may address:

• Dental laboratory dust hazards.
• Beryllium.
• Silica.
• Metal and alloy hazards.
• Hazard Communication.
• Grinding and polishing.
• Abrasive blasting.
• Furnaces.
• Chemical handling.
• PPE.
• Respiratory protection.
• Machine guarding.
• Compressed gases.
• CAD/CAM equipment.
• 3D printing.
• Emergency procedures.

Employees should receive task-specific training before independently performing higher-hazard work.

New Employee Safety Orientation

New employees should receive safety orientation appropriate to their assigned work.

Orientation may address:

• General dental laboratory hazards.
• Dust control.
• Chemical safety.
• PPE.
• Machinery.
• Ventilation.
• Housekeeping.
• Emergency procedures.
• Injury reporting.

Additional training should be provided before employees perform specialized tasks.

Dental Laboratory JSA/JHA

Dental laboratories can use JSAs/JHAs to document safe work practices for selected operations.

Potential Dental Laboratory JSAs/JHAs include:

• Grinding and polishing.
• Dental-lathe operation.
• Abrasive blasting.
• Casting.
• Furnace operation.
• Chemical handling.
• CAD/CAM milling.
• 3D printing.
• Compressed gas handling.
• Soldering and brazing.
• Equipment maintenance.

Dental Laboratory Safety Meetings

Periodic safety meetings can reinforce safe work practices and address current workplace concerns.

Potential topics include:

• Dust control.
• Beryllium.
• Silica.
• Grinding safety.
• Eye protection.
• Chemical safety.
• Machine guarding.
• Compressed gases.
• 3D printing.
• Ergonomics.
• Housekeeping.

Recordkeeping

Dental laboratories should maintain occupational safety and health records required for their operations.

Records may include:

• Employee training.
• Injury and illness records.
• Exposure assessments.
• Air-monitoring results.
• Respiratory Protection records.
• Medical surveillance records.
• Noise monitoring.
• Equipment inspections.
• Safety inspections.
• Incident investigations.

Employee medical and exposure records should be maintained according to applicable requirements.

Additional Safety Programs

Depending on dental laboratory operations and employee exposures, additional safety programs may be necessary for:

• Beryllium Exposure.
• Respirable Crystalline Silica.
• Respiratory Protection.
• Hazard Communication.
• Chemical Safety.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Eye & Face Protection.
• Hand Protection.
• Machine Guarding.
• Lockout/Tagout.
• Hand & Power Tools.
• Compressed Gas Cylinders.
• Welding, Cutting & Hot Work.
• Fire Prevention.
• Electrical Safety.
• Hearing Conservation.
• Ergonomics.
• Manual Lifting & Material Handling.
• Slips, Trips & Falls.
• Walking-Working Surfaces.
• Housekeeping.
• Bloodborne Pathogens.
• Emergency Action Plan.
• First Aid.
• Spill Prevention & Response.
• Hazardous Waste Management.

Programs should be included when the laboratory’s materials, processes, equipment, chemicals, and employee exposures make them applicable.

Building a Dental Laboratory Safety Manual

A useful Dental Laboratory Safety Manual should reflect the actual manufacturing processes performed rather than simply adapting a Dental Office Safety Manual.

A small digital laboratory performing primarily scanning and CAD/CAM work may require a different combination of programs than a full-service laboratory performing alloy casting, abrasive blasting, grinding, polishing, acrylic processing, removable prosthetics, and other fabrication operations.

The manual should consider:

• Dental alloys.
• Beryllium content.
• Silica-containing materials.
• Grinding and polishing.
• Dust generation.
• Ventilation.
• Casting.
• Furnaces.
• Abrasive blasting.
• Acrylics and resins.
• Chemicals.
• CAD/CAM equipment.
• 3D printing.
• Machinery.
• Compressed gases.
• Noise.
• Ergonomics.

Selecting programs according to actual hazards creates a comprehensive manual without filling it with procedures unrelated to the laboratory.

Customized Dental Laboratory Safety Manuals

A Dental Laboratory Safety Manual can be developed around the laboratory’s materials, fabrication methods, dental alloys, grinding and polishing processes, dust exposures, casting operations, furnaces, abrasive blasting, chemicals, acrylics and resins, CAD/CAM equipment, 3D printers, machinery, compressed gases, and other occupational hazards.

The finished manual may incorporate applicable programs for Beryllium, Respirable Crystalline Silica, Respiratory Protection, Hazard Communication, Chemical Safety, PPE, Machine Guarding, Lockout/Tagout, Compressed Gas Cylinders, Fire Prevention, Hearing Conservation, Ergonomics, Emergency Action Planning, and other hazards present within the operation.

This provides dental laboratories with a practical safety manual organized around the work their employees actually perform.

Request a Dental Laboratory Safety Manual Proposal

Safety Resources

Safety Manuals
Safety Programs
Job Safety Analysis (JSA/JHA)
Toolbox Talks & Safety Meetings
Safety Forms
Safety Audit & Inspection

Related Programs

Beryllium Exposure
Respirable Crystalline Silica
Respiratory Protection
Hazard Communication
Chemical Safety
Personal Protective Equipment
Eye & Face Protection
Hand Protection
Machine Guarding
Lockout/Tagout
Hand & Power Tools
Compressed Gas Cylinders
Welding, Cutting & Hot Work
Fire Prevention
Electrical Safety
Hearing Conservation
Ergonomics
Manual Lifting & Material Handling
Slips, Trips & Falls
Walking-Working Surfaces
Housekeeping
Bloodborne Pathogens
Emergency Action Plan
First Aid
Spill Prevention & Response
Hazardous Waste Management
Workplace Security
Subcontractor Management

Need a Complete Manual?

Get a Dental Laboratory Safety Manual customized for your dental alloys, beryllium and silica exposures, grinding and polishing, dust-control systems, casting and furnace operations, acrylics and resins, CAD/CAM equipment, 3D printing, machinery, compressed gases, and other workplace hazards.