Abstract

Ensuring a safe working environment for employees is of paramount importance to all responsible compounding pharmacists, and adhering to safety standards established by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration renders achieving that goal more likely. However, information about such compliance (especially with respect to pharmaceutical compounding) may not be readily available. In this first article in a 3-part series, an overview of Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards that address employee safety in the workplace is provided and pertinent questions of interest to compounders are answered. In series parts 2 and 3, ensuring compliance with those standards is discussed in more detail and issues pertaining specifically to fire prevention in compounding facilities are addressed.

Related Keywords

• W. Chris Allan, MPA
• U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• OSHA
• workplace safety standards
• safe working environment
• hazardous drugs
• employee chemical exposure
• personal protective equipment
• PPE
• medical surveillance
• North American Industry Classification System
• NAICS code 446110
• employer recordkeeping
• programmed safety inspection
• OSHA violations

Related Categories

• ENVIRONMENTAL
• LEGAL
• PROFESSIONAL ISSUES