WA limiting exposure to hazardous drugs
A new Washington state rule requires employers to minimize or eliminate exposure to hazardous drugs. The hazardous drugs control program must include:
a written inventory of hazardous drugs in the workplace.
a current hazard assessment for hazardous drugs for which there is reasonably anticipated occupational exposure.
hazardous drugs policies and procedures including, but not limited to:
engineering controls (equipment use and maintenance).
personal protective equipment.
safe handling practices (receiving and storage, labeling, preparing, administering, and disposing of hazardous drugs).
cleaning, housekeeping, and waste handling.
spill control.
personnel issues (such as exposure of pregnant workers) and
training.
a standard or universal precautions approach to managing occupational exposure to hazardous drugs is recommended by NIOSH; however, due to the variety of factors that affect occupational exposure some health care facilities may find it more effective to institute precautions based on exposure risk. For example a tiered approach that effectively matches precautions to the nature of exposure may be used including, but not limited to, handling, storing, cleaning, preparing and engineering controls.
an annual update of the written hazardous drugs control program and whenever changes that affect occupational exposure occur, such as introduction of a new hazardous drug, or a change in handling practices.
input from employees who may be exposed
A new Washington state rule requires employers to minimize or eliminate exposure to hazardous drugs. The hazardous drugs control program must include:You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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