IRIC Safety Bulletin - ISB2505

A powered, variable-height dental chair was lowered by a member of staff at the start of a session. As it lowered, part of the chair snagged the top of a stool which had gone unnoticed. The staff member continued to hold the ‘lower’ button on the control handset. As the motor continued to run, the dental chair became unstable and it quickly toppled.

An examination found that the dental chair had not been secured to the floor in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation guidance. Develop a system of inspection and maintenance which ensures dental chairs are, and remain, secured using the specified parts and in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation guidance.