A Sunland dental practice was recently penalized by the state after inspectors found that employee training on bloodborne pathogens wasn’t up-to-date, and the company failed to document that an employee had declined a vaccine.
According to state records, some Sunland Dental employees failed to complete the state-required annual bloodborne pathogen training. The training is done through an online platform called “Done Desk.”
Inspectors deemed this a “less-than-serious” violation resulting in a $309 penalty. But when combined with the company’s other violation, it starts to paint a more concerning picture.
During a January inspection by the New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (OHSB), state compliance officers found that an employee had declined the hepatitis B vaccine. This isn’t against any rules, but the employer is required to collect a refusal form that’s been signed by the employee. Inspectors said that form was nowhere to be found.
This violation was deemed serious by the agency, and the company was hit with a $2,235 penalty fee.
Although Sunland Dental did not respond to a request for comment, the state has marked the case as resolved, and it’s believed that the company has addressed the issue.
