Medication handling in healthcare exposes workers to hazardous drugs including cytotoxic agents that cause cancer, reproductive harm, and organ toxicity through dermal absorption, inhalation of drug aerosols, and accidental needlestick exposure. Cytotoxic drugs are handled during reconstitution, administration, patient care (body fluids of treated patients), and waste disposal. Non-cytotoxic hazardous drugs including antiviral agents, hormones, and immunosuppressants also present occupational exposure risks. This template covers medication handling procedures from receipt through to waste disposal with controls mapped to the binding Healthcare Code effective 1 July 2026.
WHS Regulation 2025 Part 7.1 — Hazardous Chemicals; Healthcare Code 2026
Work involving hazardous chemicals (hazardous drugs)
Healthcare Code of Practice 2026; Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals (binding 1 July 2026 under Section 26A)
Yes — Healthcare and Hazardous Chemicals codes binding July 2026.
| Hazard | Consequence | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| Cytotoxic drug inhalation during reconstitution and preparation | Cancer, reproductive harm, organ toxicity | Possible |
| Dermal absorption of hazardous drugs through inadequate glove protection | Systemic drug exposure, reproductive effects | Possible |
| Needlestick exposure to cytotoxic drug solution during administration | Local tissue damage, systemic drug absorption | Unlikely |
| Exposure to body fluids of patients treated with cytotoxic drugs | Secondary drug exposure through urine, vomit, faeces | Possible |
| Cytotoxic drug spill causing environmental contamination | Widespread drug exposure to multiple workers | Unlikely |
Nurses prepared cytotoxic drugs on open bench without biological safety cabinet or CSTD. Multiple staff reported reproductive health concerns. No health monitoring program in place.
2024 — SafeWork NSW Prosecution Database
Our WHS consultants develop medication handling SWMS with cytotoxic drug controls and closed-system transfer specifications.
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