630 Healthcare: Pharmacy Safety

HCS Information and Training

HCS information and training are a critical part of the hazard communication program. It is through effective information and training that employees will learn to read and understand labels and SDSs, determine how to acquire and use them in the pharmacy, and understand the risks of exposure to the chemical as well as the ways to protect themselves.

According to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), the employer must provide information and training to each pharmacy employee who may be "exposed" to hazardous chemicals. "Exposure" or "being exposed" means that an employee has contacted a hazardous chemical at work through any route of entry and is subject to its affects. Employees must be trained on how to safely handle hazardous chemicals to which they may be exposed prior to initial assignment and whenever the chemical hazard changes. Topics for HCS training include:

• the requirements of the HCS;
• any operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present; and,
• the location and availability of the written hazard communication program, including the required list(s) of hazardous chemicals, and SDSs required by the HCS.

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