Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 296-62 WAC, General occupational health standards (hazardous drugs).

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and chapter 39, Laws of 2011 (ESSB 5594).

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The 2011 legislature passed ESSB 5594 which requires the department to adopt rules implementing the 2004 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) alert on safe handling of hazardous drugs. The legislation requires the rules be consistent with the recommendations set forth in NIOSH's alert and states that the rules may not exceed these recommendations. The department may incorporate Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updates and changes to the alert.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other state or federal agencies other than the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are known to regulate worker safety and health for this subject.

     Process for Developing New Rule: Parties interested in the formulation of these rules for proposal may contact the individual listed below. The public may also participate by commenting after amendments are proposed by providing written comments or giving oral testimony during the public hearing process.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Beverly Clark, Administrative Regulations Analyst, Department of Labor and Industries, Division of Occupational Safety and Health, P.O. Box 44620, Olympia, WA 98504-4620, e-mail clah235@lni.wa.gov, phone (360) 902-5516, fax (360) 902-5619.

July 19, 2011

Judy Schurke

Director

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