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Hazardous Drugs |
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OSHA Standards |
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Hazardous drugs are addressed in specific standards for
the general industry. This page highlights OSHA standards and standard
interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards) related
to hazardous drugs.
Section
5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, often referred to as the General Duty Clause,
requires employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a
place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or
are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees". Section
5(a)(2) requires employers to "comply with occupational safety and
health standards promulgated under this Act".
Note:
Twenty-four states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have
OSHA-approved
State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement
policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are
identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted
different standards applicable to this topic or may have different
enforcement policies. |
Highlighted Standards
General Industry (29
CFR 1910)
- 1910
Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances [related
topic page]
- 1910.1020,
Access to employee exposure and medical records. OSHA requires
the reporting of employee exposure to hazardous medications,
and allows access to these records by employees.
- 1910.1200,
Hazard communication. Includes the coverage
of drugs and pharmaceuticals in the non-manufacturing sector.
Requires any 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 lists of hazardous
chemicals to which employees are exposed. In compliance with
this standard all personnel involved in any aspect of the handling
of covered hazardous medications must receive information and
training to appraise them of the hazards in the work area. [related
topic page]
Standard Interpretations
- Hazard
communication standard and pharmaceuticals. (1994,
January 3). Explains that the pharmaceutical
manufacturer and the importer have the primary duty for the
evaluation of chemical hazards and that the employer may rely
upon the hazard determination performed by the pharmaceutical
manufacturer or importer.
- MSDS
Requirements for Drugs. (1993, August 13). Provides a response to a letter specifically questioning the
requirements for material safety data sheets (MSDS) for drugs.
- Search all available standard
interpretations.
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