Introduction
This document outlines the appropriate procedures that a Hireup Support Worker should follow when supporting a Client who is taking hazardous medication and/or may require their support worker to manage hazardous waste.
A support worker who is pregnant should consult with their doctor before handling any hazardous waste or medications.
We recommend discussing with the client or account manager about how they manage hazardous medication and waste within their home.
Hazardous Medication
As a support worker, you may be required to administer hazardous medication (e.g. cytotoxic medication) to a client. Hazardous medications have a small risk of side effects to the person administering them, especially if they handle the medication often and/or for a long period of time (e.g. healthcare workers).
Hazardous medications require special care when preparing and/or handling them to risk the chance of side effects.
When administering a hazardous medication, we recommend that you:
- Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), at a minimum, disposable gloves, when handling the medication
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after removing gloves
- Dispose of PPE in an appropriate double lined garbage bag (e.g. not the kitchen bin)
- Wash medicine cups and/or oral syringes with soap and water after use and do not use these for any other medications
If there is a spill of a hazardous medication, we recommend that you:
- Wear appropriate PPE, at a minimum, disposable gloves, whilst managing the spill
- Cover the area with disposable and absorbent cloths or paper towel and wipe up the spill
- Wash the area thoroughly with soapy water
- Dispose of cloths or paper towel and PPE in a plastic bag, wash hands thoroughly, tie up plastic bag
- Put plastic bag into another plastic bag, tie up and dispose of in outside bin
Hazardous Waste
Any bodily fluids of a person who is taking or has recently taken hazardous medication will be considered hazardous for a period of time depending on the specific medication.
Hazardous waste should be managed similarly to handling hazardous medications. We recommend that:
- Gloves are worn whenever dealing with hazardous waste.
- Appropriate PPE is worn when in contact with hazardous waste. This may include a gown, mask and goggles when there is a risk of exposure to bodily fluids.
- All hazardous waste should be disposed of in a garbage bag which is tied up inside another garbage bag and put into the outside bin.
Spills of hazardous waste should be treated in the same way as a hazardous medication spill.