UCI Environmental Health and Safety Office: Example

Standard Operating Procedures for Safe Handling of TAXOL

A.General

All personnel must be knowledgeable of procedures for handling chemotherapeutic agents safely. It is essential that all workers understand the carcinogenic potential and reproductive hazards of these drugs. High-risk individuals (i.e. immunosuppressed or pregnant) should especially consider the possible consequences of handling chemotherapeutic agents and may choose to avoid any exposure. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Taxol can be obtained at: or . The MSDS must be reviewed by everyone handling the material. All training must be documented. Contact EH&S for further assistance.

B.Designated Work Area

A Designated area should be identified in the lab where this drug will be handled. All drug preparation should be conducted inside a fume hood or biosafety cabinet. A disposable plastic-backed absorbent pad should be used to protect work surfaces from contamination. Both fume hood and biosafety cabinet should have markings indicating the equipment has been certified within the last 12 months.

C.Safe Work Practice / Personal Protective Equipment

1. Personal Protective Equipment

Always wear double nitrile gloves, or gloves designed specifically for chemotherapy, when handling any of these agents. Thicker, longer gloves that cover the cuffs of the gown are recommended. Care must be taken not to puncture, cut, or tear the gloves. Gloves should be discarded after each use, when multiple products are being prepared or when contaminated.

Other equipment such as protective eye goggles, and a disposable long-sleeved smock that can be taken off quickly if contaminated should be worn for maximum safety. Use only syringes with retractable needles (engineered sharps).

Where splashes, sprays, or aerosols may be generated, facesheilds may be necessary to prevent accidental contact with eyes, nose, or mouth.

Hands must be should be washed after removing personal protective equipment.

2. Safe Work Practices

Conduct all all work in a “Designated Area”. Make sure all containers are labeled with the name of the material and with a warning label, such as “Toxic, Special Handling Required”.

Use only syringes with retractable needles (engineered sharps) and place in a sharps container.

Prudent practice requires that ampules with dry material should be gently tapped down.

Additional precautions to take when preparing chemotherapeutic agents can be found at: .

D.Disposal

Chemotherapeutic waste includes empty vials, fluid lines, catheters, syringes, needles, gloves, supernatant, or any item that could have residue of the toxic chemical. A puncture-proof container labeled on the lid and sides with the words “Chemotherapy Waste” or “CHEMO” must be utilized for these items. Chemotherapeutic waste can be taken directly to one of the medical waste collection sites. Contact Lisa Cambria for disposal of medical waste at 824-8342.

E.Spills/Accidental Exposure

Report all accidents to the PI immediately. Obtain medical attention for any accidental eye contact, ingestion, or inhalation of the material.

An accidental spill should be dealt with promptly and carefully. Remove contaminated clothing. If skin has been contaminated by the spill, wash thoroughly with soap and water. Rinse well. If a drug has splashed into the eyes, use an eye wash continuously for 15 minutes and have someone call 911 immediately to obtain medical attention.

Spill kits may be purchased from Physical Sciences Store House. Dispose of waste material appropriately.

1. Clean-up of Small Spills(less than 5 ml in volume)

  • Consult the MSDS for specific advice on handling spills and clean-up of the material.
  • Liquids should be wiped with absorbent gauze pads; solids should be wiped with wet absorbent gauze. Decontaminate area with sodium carbonate solution ( 1% for trace materials on surfaces and 10% for large quantities or solutions containing paclitaxel for 30 minutes or methanolic potassium hydroxide (30% 1N KOH and 70% methanol) for 5 minutes.

Caution: KOH is corrosive and eye protection and chemical resistant gloves should be worn.

  • Dispose contaminated materials as hazardous cytotoxic material.
  • The spill areas should then be cleaned three times using a detergent solution followed by clean water.
  • Any broken glass fragments should be picked up using a small scoop (never the hands) and placed in a "Chemotherapy Waste" container along with all other contaminated waste.

2. Clean-up of Large Spills (greater than 5ml in volume)

When a large spill occurs, the area should be isolated and aerosol generation avoided.

  • All personnel responding to a spill should wear disposable gowns, double nitrile gloves, and respirators for powdered materials and for protection against aerosols. All respirator users must participate in the UCI Respiratory Protection program. Please contact your School’s Safety Coordinator for additional assistance or X44817 for the Respirator Protection Program Administrator.
  • Consult the MSDS for specific advice on handling spills and clean-up of the material.
  • If the area is greater than 5ml in volume, cover the area with absorbent sheets or spill control pads. If powder is involved, damp cloths or towels should be used.
  • If an extensive amount of material spilled (e.g., entire contents of one vial) inside a biosafety cabinet or fume hood, then the entire interior surface needs to be decontaminated.
  • Contact EH&S for additional assistance, if needed.

F. Decontamination

One person should be responsible for cleaning/decontaminating the area of the spill. Personal protective equipment (eye goggles, respirator mask, double nitrile gloves, impervious gown) should be used. Paper toweling should be used to absorb fluid.

All contaminated areas should be washed three times with soap and water. All waste should be enclosed in a large heavy-duty plastic waste bag, labeled, and disposed of appropriately. See section on Disposal for additional guidance.

Consult the MSDS for specific advice on handling spills and clean-up of the material. See Section E of this procedure for decon solution.

Visit the OSHA website for additional safety information on chemotherapeutic agents:

For more information relevant to completing this form, review thoroughly Chemical Hygiene Plan: Section 5.

Training Acknowledgement: I have read, asked questions, and understand the hazards of and safe working procedures for the activity/materials described herein.

NAMEDATE

These safety training resources, prepared solely for the use of the Regents of the University of California, were provided by a variety of sources. It is your responsibility to customize the information to match your specific operations. Neither the University of California nor any of its employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the University of California. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the University of California, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.

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Revision date:05/03