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Hazard Communication Standard Hazardous Drugs During Preparation Handling Practices Hazardous Drugs During Administration Hazardous Drugs During Care Giving

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Hazard Communication Standard

Potential Hazard Exposure to hazardous chemicals and drugs due to untrained or unaware workers: Personnel who are not aware of proper work practices and controls may be exposed to hazardous drugs through the skin, mouth, or by inhalation. The OSHA Technical Manual provides guidance regarding the adverse health effects from hazardous drugs, ranging from nausea and dizziness, to adverse pregnancy outcomes (OTM vi.2.3). Possible Solutions: Implement a written program which meets the requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard for employees handling or otherwise exposed to chemicals, including drugs that represent a health hazard to employees. The written program must provide for worker training, warning labels, and access to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs). Employees must be informed of the requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard including: Any operation/procedure in their work area where drugs that present a hazard are present. The location and availability of the written hazard communication program. Any operations or procedure in their work area where other HD's are present. The location and availability of any other plan regarding HD's. The HCS only applies to pharmaceuticals that the drug manufacturer has determined to be hazardous and that are known to be present in the workplace in such a manner that employees are exposed under normal conditions of use or in a foreseeable emergency [OSHA Interpretation Letter (1994, March 3)]. There are exemptions to the standard such as: Drugs that are in solid, final form for direct administration to the patient, e.g., tablets, or pills [1910.1200(b)(6)(vii)]. Final form exemption would also apply to tablets or pills that are occasionally crushed, if the pill or tablet is not designed to be dissolved or crushed prior to administration. Consumer products that are subjected to the labeling requirements of the terms as defined in the Consumer Product Safety Act and the Federal Hazardous Substances Act [1910.1200(b)(5)(v)]. Chemicals with any of the following characteristics are considered hazardous: carcinogenic, corrosive, toxic or highly toxic, irritating, sensitizing, or target organ effecting. [Hazard Communication Standard Appendix A and chemicals listed in 1910.1000 Table 2]. Both human and animal data are to be used in this determination. The Hazard Communication Standard, Appendix B lists sources of toxicity information. The OSHA Technical Manual provides recommendations for characterizing hazardous drugs. Some Common Drugs Considered Hazardous App. VI:2-1. Some Aerosolized Drugs App. VI: 2-2. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) also provides an annually updated list of drugs considered hazardous. Appendix A - Drugs considered Hazardous. Provide readily available Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for all hazardous chemicals, including hazardous drugs that meet the Hazard Communication Standard criteria. All personnel involved in any aspect of the handling of covered hazardous drugs (physicians, nurses, pharmacists, housekeepers, employees involved in receiving, transport or storage) must receive information and training to apprise them of the hazards presented by hazardous drugs in the work area, [OTM5.A.2] including the following: Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of an HCS-covered hazardous drug in the work area (such as monitoring conducted by the employer, continuous monitoring devices, visual appearance or odor of covered HD's being released, etc.). The physical and health hazards of the covered HD's in the work area. The measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards. This includes specific procedures that the employer has implemented to protect the employees from exposure to such drugs, such as identification of covered drugs and those to be handled as hazardous, appropriate work practices, emergency procedures (for spills or employee exposure). Personal protective equipment, and the details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer, including an explanation of the labeling system and the MSDS, and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information. The Hazard Communication Standard requires that drugs posing a health hazard (with the exception of those in solid, final form for direct administration to the patient, i.e., tablets, or pills), be included on the list of hazardous chemicals to which employees are exposed [Hazard Communication Standard and Pharmaceuticals OSHA Standard Interpretation and Compliance Letters (01/03/1994)]. Any workplace exposure record created in connection with HD handling shall be kept, transferred, and made available for at least 30 years and medical records shall be kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years in accordance with the Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020). Other Recommended Good Work Practice: Develop, implement and maintain a written hazardous drug safety and health plan to protect those employees who handle or are otherwise exposed to drugs that pose a health hazard to them. The OSHA Technical Manual Part V, A#1, offers guidance in the development of a drug safety and health plan. Nursing stations on floors where hazardous drugs will be administered should have spill and emergency skin and eye decontamination kits available and relevant MSDSs for guidance. A list of drugs covered by hazardous drug policies and information on spill and emergency contact procedures should be posted or easily available to employees. For additional information, see HealthCare Wide Hazards - Hazardous Chemicals. Additional Information: Hazard Communication, Safety and Health Topics Page. How does the Hazard Communication Standard apply to pharmaceutical drugs. FAQ's for the Hazard Communication Standard.