Occupational healthcare settings follow the industrial hygiene control methods. These control methods are used to minimize the exposures to hazardous drugs. The components of these control methods are substitution or elimination of the harmful agents, administrative controls, engineering controls and personal protective equipments (PPE). These approaches has achieves success across different healthcare sectors. But the main problem is that these guidelines are not properly followed by the workers engaged in different drug related activities. Therefore, recent guidelines for the safe handling of hazardous drugs are based on the strong occupational health principles and the professional standards of practice.

The safe handling guidelines published by healthcare organizations allow only trained workers to be involved in the handling of hazardous drugs. These drugs should be prepared in a controlled environment where access is limited to authorized personnel. Safety equipments such as biological safety cabinets (BSCs), isolators and closed system drug transfer devices should be employed. Personnel should follow all recommendations for PPE. Needle-less systems should be used whenever possible.

Adherence to recommended work practices and the use of engineering controls and PPE has been shown to substantially reduce worker exposure to hazardous substances. However, several factors, such as increased workload, understaffing, improper training, budgetary constraints, more complex treatment regimens, use in non-oncology specialties, and others can adversely affect how these drugs are handled.

Various recommendations and measures on safe handling of hazardous drugs must be properly followed in all the workplaces to fight effectively with the disastrous effects of hazardous drugs on mankind.