Safe Handling of Hazardous Materials eReport

Managing the many hazardous substances present in the healthcare environment requires that all personnel must understand and be cognizant of the various rules, regulations, and agencies that oversee management of hazardous materials and waste. This eReport, Safe Handling of Hazardous Materials, reflects the newly revised Chapter <800> guidelines on handling hazardous drugs as well as information for handling any type of hazardous material.

The following topics are discussed:

• Components of the Hazard Communication Standard—every employer must develop, implement, and maintain a written and comprehensive hazard communication program for its workplace and all personnel
• Labeling Requirements for Hazardous Chemicals—identifies information that every label must include (e.g., production identifier, signal word indicating hazard or danger, pictograms, hazard statement)
• Safety Data Sheets—includes comprehensive information kept on each hazardous drug or chemical regarding handling procedures, accident and fire prevention, potential hazardous effects, and emergency procedures for chemicals used in the workplace
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act—provides a means of tracking hazardous waste from the point of generation to disposal and focuses on environmental and human health issues surrounding handling and disposal
• Handling Hazardous Chemicals—includes guidelines for receiving, storage, compounding and preparation, waste and disposal, and accidental exposure and spills
• Handling Hazardous Drugs—includes a summary of guidelines for safe handling including receiving, storage; compounding and preparation; final product labeling; medication transport and delivery; cleaning, decontamination, and housekeeping; accidental exposures and spills; medical surveillance; and quality assurance documentation

Also included in the eReport are references, an appendix of safety data sheet terms, a competence checklist, and a competency assessment exam with corresponding answer key.

Lee B. Murdaugh, RPh, PhD

Lee B. Murdaugh is Director, Accreditation and Medication Safety, Cardinal Health Innovative Delivery Solutions, in Knoxville, TN. She received a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy and a Doctorate in Drug and Materials Toxicology from the University of Tennessee. While pursuing her PhD, she was a Fellow of the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education. She also completed a traineeship in acute care anticoagulation at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital and certification in asthma patient care at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Murdaugh has over 27 years of experience in the healthcare industry and in assisting more than 1000 hospitals in preparation for regulatory and accreditation surveys. Prior to joining Cardinal Health, she served as the Director of Pharmacy in a 535-bed tertiary care hospital.

Dr. Murdaugh's practice interests are in the areas of medication safety, accreditation, regulatory compliance, and competence assessment. She is an author and contributing author to several ASHP publications and has also published in professional journals such as Hospital Pharmacy. She is a frequent speaker to national and state pharmacy professional organizations on accreditation, regulatory, medication safety, competence assessment, and other related topics.