Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs

In the Regulation
A hazardous drug
waste container or
bag must be provided
where cytotoxic
drugs are present.
See section 6.57 of
the Regulation.
20.2 Equipment
Hazardous drug waste should be collected in a hazardous drug
waste container.
A hazardous drug waste container:
••
Must be leak-proof and puncture resistant
••
Must be designated for use with hazardous drugs
••
Should be easily identifiable as designated for hazardous drugs,
such as by using a uniform colour throughout the workplace
A bag used for disposal of soft materials (for example, laundry,
gloves, or gowns) contaminated with hazardous drugs:
••
Should be leak-proof
••
Should be made of thick, leak-proof plastic
••
Should be easily identifiable
••
Must be appropriately labelled with a hazardous drug warning
All areas where there is potential for hazardous drug waste should
have a hazardous drug waste container. These areas can be
determined as part of a risk assessment.
Hazardous drug waste containers and bags should also be provided
to patients and animal owners who are receiving hazardous drugs
or being cared for at home.
20.3 Guidelines for safe work practice
For information on
hazardous waste
disposal in B.C., visit
www.hazwastebc.com.
Best practices for disposal of hazardous drug waste include:
••
Coordinating of hazardous drug communication with external
waste-collection companies to reduce worker exposure
••
Sending hazardous drug waste for disposal by a certified
hazardous waste organization and in accordance with local
regulations
••
Having hazardous drug waste containers collected and
transported throughout a facility only by workers trained to do so
••
Arranging for the collection of hazardous drug waste containers
from patients homes
••
Implementing procedures to reduce leaks from hazardous waste
containers, such as by placing contaminated items in double
plastic bags before placing in a hazardous drug waste container
Refer to CSA Standard Z317.10-09 Handling of Waste Materials in
Health Care Facilities and Veterinary Health Care Facilities for
more information on hazardous drug waste.
Best Practices for the Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs 49