Lakemoor Dental fined $53,900 by U.S. Department of Labor

A dental business with offices in Lakemoor and Hainesville has been fined $53,900 by the U.S. Department of Labor for failing to protect employees from the risks of bloodborne pathogens.

Several violations, some categorized as serious, were lodged after inspections in April by the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The investigations at Lakemoor Dental P.C., 28956 W. Route 120, Lakemoor, and Lakemoor Dental of Hainesville, 80 E. Belvidere Road (Route 120), followed a complaint alleging violations of the agency's bloodborne pathogen exposure standards.

According to the labor department, investigators found a worker suffered a sharps injury March 9 at the Hainesville office. The citations and notices of penalties were issued June 24.

According to a news release, the agency determined the employer did not establish a bloodborne pathogen exposure control plan and hazard communication programs at either location; failed to require use of appropriate gloves and personal protective equipment; did not provide medical evaluation and follow up to employees after the reported exposure; failed to make hepatitis B vaccinations available to employees; and, did not train workers about chemical and bloodborne pathogen hazards and precautions.

“Dental offices like Lakemoor have a responsibility to ensure patients and staff are protected from injury and illness during procedures,” according to Angeline Loftus, OSHA's area director for the Chicago North office in Des Plaines.

The proposed fines are $29,400 for the Hainesville location and $24,500 for the Lakemoor office.

A woman who identified herself as the office manager in Lakemoor on Wednesday acknowledged the protocols weren't in place at the time of the complaint, but said the items were straightforward and corrected within 10 days of the inspections.

An informal conference between the parties is scheduled for July 12.