Which federal organization requires healthcare facilities to maintain policies for safe handling of chemotherapy agents?

• A. American Medical Association
• B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• C. The Joint Commission
• D. The Food and Drug Administration

Answer: (B)

OSHA is the federal agency responsible for workplace safety, including protection from chemical hazards like chemotherapy agents. Healthcare facilities must have written policies and procedures for safe handling of hazardous drugs, covering training, exposure control plans, engineering controls (such as appropriate ventilation or containment devices), proper use of PPE, spill response, and waste disposal. These requirements come from OSHA standards like the Hazard Communication Standard (which ensures workers understand chemical risks and have access to safety data sheets) and related exposure-control rules. The Joint Commission and FDA have important roles in accreditation and drug regulation, but they do not impose the direct federal mandate to maintain these safety policies. The American Medical Association is a professional society, not a regulatory agency.