Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation related to hazardous drugs came into effect on December 1, 2023 — providing employers with additional guidance on how to prevent potential exposure. We spoke with Aaron Kong, a supervisor in Prevention Field Services about how these changes will help to minimize worker exposure to harmful chemicals.

Aaron Kong

Supervisor, Prevention Field Services, Richmond
Years on the job: 23

What is defined as a hazardous drug?

Hazardous drugs are a class of medication used to treat illnesses such as cancer, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and viral diseases — drugs intended to affect human cells but whose side-effects can harm exposed workers without appropriate protection. To be classified as a hazardous drug, the medication must have one or more of the following properties:

• Carcinogenicity (cancer-causing)
• Reproductive toxicity
• Teratogenicity (affects fetal development)
• Genotoxicity (damaging to genetic material)
• Organ toxicity at low doses

In line with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the hazardous drug classification also applies to new drugs that mimic a known hazardous drug. The classification does not apply to illicit drugs.

Which types of employers and industries are most affected?

The amendments to the Regulation will affect all industries where hazardous drugs are present. Health care settings such as hospitals and cancer centres are the most common, followed by long-term and community care facilities, pharmacies, veterinary practices, drug manufacturing plants, and transportation and logistics operations.

Why is the Regulation being updated?

The use of hazardous drugs has expanded over the past two decades, resulting in potentially significant increases in worker exposure. As medications, standards, and practices evolve, the Regulation needs to be more inclusive and include clear instructions to employers on their obligations to eliminate or minimize worker exposure.

What is different with the new amendments in place?

One change is the introduction of the term “hazardous drugs.” Previously the Regulation referred to “cytotoxic drugs”; the new term applies to a larger set of drugs, aligning with current industry standards and practice.

The amended requirements offer more guidance and detail about the steps employers must take to protect workers. This includes requirements for employers to:

• Identify hazardous drugs in the workplace and implement enhanced record-keeping to monitor exposures.
• Have a qualified person or a group of qualified people knowledgeable about hazardous drugs develop exposure control plans, risk assessments, and safe work procedures.
• Ensure risk assessments and exposure control plans are developed, reviewed, and updated in consultation with the joint health and safety committee or worker health and safety representative.
• Use ventilated enclosures for preparing certain hazardous drugs rather than all hazardous drugs.
• Ensure that workers who are or may be exposed to a hazardous drug receive adequate instruction, training, and supervision.
• Implement specific safe work practices for storing and transporting hazardous drugs, as well as for handling and disposing of waste, to minimize the potential for spills and leaks.

What actions do employers need to take?

Employers should engage with affected workers to help identify procedures that could leave workers vulnerable to exposure and develop appropriate controls. In addition, they must consult with the joint health and safety committee or worker representative and ensure that workers have received adequate instruction and training.

Where can I get more information?

Sections 6.42 to 6.58 of the Regulation outline the specific requirements employers in all industries must follow to protect workers from exposure to hazardous drugs. An OHS guideline provides additional support on conducting a risk assessment. An updated version of Safe Work Practices for Handling Hazardous Drugs (BK153) will be available from worksafebc.com in early 2024.

Employers can also call the Prevention Information Line at 604.276.3100 or 1.888.621.7233 (1.888.621.SAFE) for additional guidance.

Looking for answers to your specific health and safety questions? Send them to us at worksafemagazine@worksafebc.com, and we’ll consider them for our next Ask an Officer feature.

This information originally appeared in the Winter 2023 issue of WorkSafe Magazine. To read more or to subscribe, visit WorkSafe Magazine.