Information, instruction, training and supervision

Duty to employees

Employers must give employees the information, instruction, training or supervision they need to work safely. This is a duty under section 21 of the OHS Act. 

This means you must provide information, instruction, training and supervision so employees can competently handle cytotoxic medicines and related waste. This may include ongoing assessment of an employee’s competency, based on their roles and responsibilities.

Employee training should occur:

• at induction
• before starting duties that involve cytotoxic medicines and related waste
• when new cytotoxic medicines are introduced into the workplace
• when new equipment is introduced or procedures change
• when an incident occurs
• on an ongoing basis.

Who should be trained?

Employees should be trained if their work activities mean they may have contact with:

• cytotoxic medicines
• waste
• patient waste. 

Employees includes:

• independent contractors
• employees of independent contractors. 

Employers should do a risk assessment to identify employees who need training. This may include:

• pharmacy employees
• nursing, midwifery and other care employees 
• medical employees
• laboratory employees
• veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses
• ambulance officers
• supervisors and managers
• maintenance personnel
• stores personnel
• cleaners
• on-site waste transporters
• couriers and porters who transport medicines from: 
  • warehouses to pharmacies
  • pharmacies to wards 
• waste-handlers
• waste generators.

Training requirements

Information, instruction, training and supervision needs to cover the hazards associated with cytotoxic medicines. This may include:

• How to properly use and maintain risk control measures.
• Ongoing assessment of competency. An employee must be technically proficient based on their role and responsibilities. 

Training and information for handling cytotoxic medicines and related waste should cover: 

• legislative requirements for: 
  • health and safety
  • waste management
• the risk management process
• how to locate and use a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
• information in an SDS
• information on labels of containers of cytotoxic medicines and how they identify the health risk
• hazards and potential risks that employees may be exposed to when handling cytotoxic medicines
• risk control measures – including how to put in place, use and maintain them 
• appropriate work practices and procedures to follow when using cytotoxic medicines – this includes: 
  • handling
  • storage
  • administration
  • disposal
• storing, transporting, treating and disposing of cytotoxic waste, including biological waste
• how to use and maintain equipment
• how to choose, use, clean, put on, take off and dispose of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• what to do after an accident, injury or spill, including for an evacuation or special decontamination
• where to find first aid resources
• any health monitoring and reporting
• risks from exposure while planning pregnancy, and during pregnancy and breastfeeding
• privacy and confidentiality
• the role of direct line managers in health and safety matters
• written standard operating procedures.

As an employer, you should:

• Develop policies and procedures for handling cytotoxic medicines.
• Keep training records to show who has been trained and when.
• Review training regularly to ensure information is current. The available medical and scientific advice is constantly changing.