You observe your dental assistant bending a needle before disposing of it. What is the best response?

Correct answer: B. Review standard precautions and sharps handling with the entire staff

• A. A private reprimand may be warranted but does not confirm that the rest of the team understands the requirement, and training is what the standard actually requires.
• B. CORRECT. The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard specifically prohibits bending, shearing, breaking, or recapping contaminated needles by hand. Because this reflects a gap in training rather than individual misconduct, addressing it as a practice-wide review corrects the underlying cause without singling anyone out, and it satisfies the employer's training obligation.
• C. Silent correction leaves the unsafe practice in place and will recur.
• D. OSHA is the enforcement body, not the first line of internal correction. Self-reporting a training gap is not the expected response.

Note: The relevant OSHA requirements: no hand recapping (one-handed scoop technique or a mechanical device only), engineering controls such as safety syringes wherever feasible, puncture-resistant sharps containers at point of use, an annual exposure control plan review, and documented training at hire and yearly thereafter.