Subject: OXYGEN CYLINDER CHECKS AND STORAGE

Department/Section: Nursing Approval Date: Last Reviewed:

Policy Number: CHSCN-P-0003-11 Version : 1 Applies to: All CHSC

CHSC/PPR/HCP/P0001 OXYGEN CYLINDER CHECKS AND STORAGE Created by: Print Name: Reviewed by: B Harte Clinic Manager, Operational Manager Approved by: Dr. Dilshaad General Manager/Medical Director

Designation:

Sign :

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Subject: OXYGEN CYLINDER CHECKS AND STORAGE

Department/Section: Nursing Approval Date: Last Reviewed:

Policy Number: CHSCN-P-0003-11 Version : 1 Applies to: All CHSC TABLE OF CONTENTS TOPIC CHSC/PPR/HCP/P0001 PAGE

1. Purpose

2. Policy Statement

3. Scope

4. Target Audience

5. Responsibility

3-4

6. Procedures

4-6

7. Definitions & Abbreviations

8. Cross References/Forms/Policy/Documents

9. Attachments

7-8

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Subject: OXYGEN CYLINDER CHECKS AND STORAGE

Department/Section: Nursing Approval Date: Last Reviewed:

Policy Number: CHSCN-P-0003-11 Version : 1 Applies to: All CHSC

1. PURPOSE CHSC/PPR/HCP/P0001 This policy defines the responsibilities and standards expected by those employedwithin the CHSC when storing, transporting, checking and stocktaking oxygen gas cylinders when the use of this cylinders is unavoidable. This Policy is to demonstrate compliance with HAAD Biomedical and Patient Safety standards. 2. POLICY STATEMENT Personnel who use and transport compressed oxygen gas shall be trained in proper handling of cylinders, cylinders trucks, supports and cylinder valve protection caps. All cylinder storage areas, outside and inside shall be protected from extreme heat and cold and from access by unauthorized individuals. 3. SCOPE The policy is intended for use by Porters, Registered General Nurses, Doctors and any other staff group that are involved with oxygen gas cylinders and related equipment, as defined in Health Technical Memorandum 02-01 Parts A & B Medical Gases. This Policy will apply in all areas of the CHSC that does or has the potential use for oxygen gas cylinders. 4. TARGET AUDIENCE All Oxygen Gas Cylinder Users 5. RESPONSIBILITY Operations Manager The Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring that the requirements of the CHSC policies and procedures are effectively managed within the Directorate and that staff are aware of, and implement, those requirements. Procurement Officer Has the delegated overall responsibility for oxygen gases within CHSC ensuring that relevant policies and procedures are adhered to fully and that oxygen gases are subject to the same quality control requirements as other medicines.

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Subject: OXYGEN CYLINDER CHECKS AND STORAGE

Department/Section: Nursing

Policy Number: CHSCN-P-0003-11

Version : 1 Approval Date: Last Reviewed: Applies to: All CHSC Authorised Engineer This engineer should be suitably qualified in accordance with the requirements of HTM 02-01 b Chapter 7 of this Health Technical Memorandum. This person will have specialist knowledge of CHSC/PPR/HCP/P0001 MGPS, in particular the MGPS for which an Authorised Person (MGPS) will assume responsibility on appointment. He/she acts, and is employed, independently of organizations submitting potential Authorised Persons (MGPS) for assessment.The Authorising Engineer (MGPS) will, subsequent to performing an assessment of a potential Authorised Person (MGPS), recommend to the Executive Manager of the submitting organization either that the person is able to proceed to written appointment or requires further training Designated Porter Designated Porter is responsible for the safe transportation and storage of oxygen gas cylinders on CHSC premises. The replacement of cylinders on oxygen gas manifolds and replacement of bottles as requested by the Designated Procurement / Nursing Officers including the safe fitting of regulators /equipment to the correct oxygen gas cylinder types. Registered Nurse The Registered Nurse is responsible for carrying out daily checks on Cylinders and flow meters are correct ensuring that their stored correctly and oxygen gas levels are correct, Ensuring that the form on Attachment 2 (Oxygen Cylinder Daily Checklist) is completed and a file is kept on the unit for audit purposes.

6. PROCEDURE 6.1 General Standards: 6.1.1 Cylinders must be secured firmly at all times to prevent them from falling down. 6.1.2 Valve-safety covers will be in place until pressure regulators are attached. 6.1.3 Cylinders must be marked clearly with name of the content. Tanks having tags attached by wire or color codes alone shall not be accepted. 6.1.4 Hand trolleys or dollies must be used to transport cylinders. Do not roll or drag cylinders. 6.1.5 Use of oil, grease or lubricants on valve, regulators and fittings is prohibited. 6.1.6 Do not attempt to repair damage cylinders or to force open frozen / stuck cylinder valves.

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Subject: OXYGEN CYLINDER CHECKS AND STORAGE

Department/Section: Nursing

Policy Number: CHSCN-P-0003-11

Version : 1 Approval Date: Last Reviewed: Applies to: All CHSC 6.2 Flammable Gases: 6.2.1 Special care must be taken when gases are used in confined spaces or spaces with poor ventilation. CHSC/PPR/HCP/P0001 6.2.2 No more than two cylinders shall be connected together (manifold) to an equipment / instrument. However, several instruments or outlets are permitted on a single cylinder. 6.3 Pressure Regulators and Needle Valves: 6.3.1 Needle valves and pressure regulators are specifically designed for each type of gas / gas mixture. Use only the approved type of fittings as per standards. 6.3.2 Throats and surfaces must be clean and tight fitting. Lubrication is prohibited. 6.3.3 Tighten the regulator and valve firmly with correct size wrench / spanner. Do not use adjustable wrenches / spanners or pliers. Do not force-tight fittings. 6.3.4 Open valves slowly. Do not stand directly in front of gauges (gauge face may blow out) or valve openings. Do not force valves that are stuck. 6.3.5 Check for leaks at connections. Leaks are usually due to damaged faces at the connections or fittings. Do not attempt to force an improper fit. (it may damage an otherwise perfect connection and compound the problem). 6.3.6 Valve handles must be left attached to the cylinder. 6.3.7 The maximum rate of flow shall be set by the high pressure valve on the cylinder. Fine tuning of flow shall be regulated by the needle valve. 6.3.8 Shut off the cylinder when not in use. 6.4 Leak Testing: Cylinder head and connection shall be tested by snoop or soap solution. Test the cylinder prior to attaching the regulators. Repeat the leak testing after attaching the regulators and gauges. 6.5 Empty Cylinders: 6.5.1 Empty cylinders must be marked as empty for identification. 6.5.2 Empty unwanted cylinder must be returned promptly. 6.5.3 Always replace the valve safety caps. 7. DEFINITION AND ABBREVIATIONS BME - BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING BMES - BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING SECTION MGPS MEDICAL GAS PIPELINE SYSTEMS

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Subject: OXYGEN CYLINDER CHECKS AND STORAGE

Department/Section: Nursing Approval Date: Last Reviewed:

Policy Number: CHSCN-P-0003-11 Version : 1 Applies to: All CHSC

8. CROSS REFERENCES /FORMS/POLICY/DOCUMENT CHSC/PPR/HCP/P0001 1. POLICY # BMED/P/1015 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF MEDICAL GAS PIPELINE SYSTEMS HTM 02-01 2. POLICY AND STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR REGISTRATION OF QUALITY CONTROLLERS (MGPS), 2nd Edition, May 2009

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Subject: OXYGEN CYLINDER CHECKS AND STORAGE

Department/Section: Nursing Approval Date: Last Reviewed: 9. ATTACHMENTS

Policy Number: CHSCN-P-0003-11 Version : 1 Applies to: All CHSC

CHSC/PPR/HCP/P0001 ATTACHMENT 1 IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR OXYGEN GAS IN CYLINDERS

TYPE

STORAGE REQUIREMENTS STORE OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND AWAY FROM SOURCES OF HEAT

ADDITIONAL SAFETY INFORMATION OXYGEN is non flammable but strongly supports combustion.

OXYGEN

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Subject: OXYGEN CYLINDER CHECKS AND STORAGE

Department/Section: Nursing Approval Date: Last Reviewed: ATTACHMENT 2

Policy Number: CHSCN-P-0003-11 Version : 1 Applies to: All CHSC

Oxygen Clylinder DailyCHSC/PPR/HCP/P0001 Checklist

Month/Year : leveL )gk/mc2-isp( Name Area:

Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Time

Functioning Yes No

Checked By Nurse Signature

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