New Hazardous Drug Rules Apply to Nursing Homes

The 2011 Washington State legislature enacted RCW 49.17.465, which required the Department of  Labor & Industries (L&I) to adopt rules to minimize or eliminate occupational exposure to hazardous drugs. The law applies to all health care settings (read Nursing Homes) that have employees with occupational exposure to hazardous drugs.

The legislature required L&I to develop minimal rules consistent with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 2010 publication, NIOSH Alert.

While the primary concern is antineoplastic drugs, NIOSH included other drugs in its list of hazardous drugs.  The use of biological safety cabinets, decontamination, and personal protective equipment are also incorporated into the rules.

Employers must write a hazardous assessment plan and provide effective, assessment-based precautions designed to minimize or eliminate occupational exposure.  During stakeholder meetings, Aging Services of Washington and others, including pharmacists, expressed concern over the NIOSH list of hazardous drugs. The rules, WAC 296-62-500, were adopted January 3, 2012, and will be implemented in stages:

• By January 1, 2014, employers must have completed and implemented a written hazardous drugs control program.
• By July 1, 2014, employers must have implemented employee training.
• By January 1, 2015, employers must have completed installation of appropriate ventilated cabinets.

Aging Services of Washington will be assisting members in their compliance efforts.