The BC Federation of Labour appreciates the opportunity to provide our submission with respect to the proposed amendments to Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) Part 6: Substance Specific Requirements, Hazardous Drugs.
Although the current provisions of Part 6 Cytotoxic drug regulation were developed 20 years ago and are out of date, the BC Regulation remains one of the only such regulations in Canada. In all other jurisdictions the provisions for these chemicals are found in the general regulation dealing with chemical exposures or guidelines.
The BCFED strongly supports the review and updating of the cytotoxic drug regulation. We know from anecdotal evidence gathered by our affiliated unions that increasing numbers of workers are exposed to these deadly drugs.