Potentially harmful exposure can occur when you handle or work around hazardous drugs. These drugs include antineoplastic cytotoxic medications, anesthetics, anti-viral drugs, hormones, and others.

Hazardous drugs can cause serious acute and chronic health effects such as skin rashes, fertility problems, genetic damage, birth defects, organ toxicity, and possibly leukemia and other cancers.

Exposure occurs during manufacturing and packaging, receiving, preparation and administration, and cleaning and disposal activities.

Clinical and non-clinical workers with potential exposure include:

• Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
• Nurses.
• Physician assistants.
• Physicians.
• Nursing home, home health care, and assistive care staff.
• Housekeeping and environmental services staff (custodial, laundry, and waste handling workers).
• Shipping and receiving personnel.
• Veterinarians and veterinary technicians and assistants.

Important Dates

L&I's hazardous drugs rule was adopted on January 3, 2012. The rule will be implemented in 3 stages beginning January 1, 2015. L&I has issued a directive to agency enforcement staff that delays all enforcement dates by one year (366 KB PDF). During the delay in enforcement, L&I will continue to cite hazards identified during compliance inspections or consultation visits under existing safety and health rules, such as Hazard Communication, Accident Prevention Program or PPE:

Hazardous Drugs Advisory Committee

The Hazardous Drugs Advisory Committee is working to create sample programs, training materials, and other resources to help employers comply with rule requirements. See details about what this group is doing and when it meets.

Related topics:

• Accident Prevention Program (APP)
• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Emergency Washing
• Chemical Hazard Communication and the Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
• Hazardous Drugs Advisory Committee
• Latex Allergies
• Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Respiratory Protection
• Veterinary Services, Hazards in  

How can I get help from L&I?

• To request a confidential workplace safety or health consultation, call or visit http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/Assistance/Consultation/about.asp for no charge technical assistance.
• For help with controlling your claims costs, call or visit http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/Assistance/Consultation/riskmanagement.asp for a no charge risk management consultation.
• Find information about filing a workplace safety & health complaint you may call or visit a local L&I office to file a complaint.
• Follow guidance in Steps To a Safe Workplace to create your safety program from scratch.
• For general information, call 1-800-423-7233.