Nitrous OxideNitrous OxideProviding a Safe Providing a Safe

Workplace for Your Workplace for Your StaffStaff

By John TownsendBy John Townsend

ContentsContents What is nitrous oxide (N20).What is nitrous oxide (N20). Common Uses for N20.Common Uses for N20. Health Effects.Health Effects. Staff Exposure.Staff Exposure. Exposure Standards.Exposure Standards. Minimising Exposure.Minimising Exposure. Is Your Workplace Compliant.Is Your Workplace Compliant.

What is Nitrous OxideWhat is Nitrous Oxide Synonyms: laughing gas, Synonyms: laughing gas,

factitious air, nitrogen factitious air, nitrogen oxide, dinitrogen oxide, dinitrogen monoxide.monoxide.

Chemical formula: N2OChemical formula: N2O Chemical Abstracts Chemical Abstracts

Service Registry Number Service Registry Number (CAS): 10024-97-2(CAS): 10024-97-2

Clear, colorless gas at Clear, colorless gas at room temperatureroom temperature

Slightly sweet odor and Slightly sweet odor and taste.taste.

Where is N20 UsedWhere is N20 Used

Anaesthetic agent in Anaesthetic agent in medical, dental, and medical, dental, and veterinary facilitiesveterinary facilities

Food processing Food processing propellantpropellant

Component of certain Component of certain rocket fuelsrocket fuels

Oxidant for organic Oxidant for organic compoundscompounds

Nitrating agent for alkali Nitrating agent for alkali metalsmetals

What are the Health EffectsWhat are the Health Effects

Acute dizzinessAcute dizziness Slurred speechSlurred speech HeadacheHeadache NauseaNausea FatigueFatigue IrritabilityIrritability Shortness of breathShortness of breath

Increased risk of Increased risk of spontaneous abortion spontaneous abortion in pregnant femalesin pregnant females

Renal & kidney Renal & kidney diseasedisease

Neurological Neurological disordersdisorders

HypoxiaHypoxia

Routes of ExposureRoutes of Exposure

Exposure to nitrous oxide occurs primarily Exposure to nitrous oxide occurs primarily through inhalation.through inhalation.

Skin exposure to liquefied gas may occur Skin exposure to liquefied gas may occur when handling compressed gas cylinders. when handling compressed gas cylinders. This is a result of the rapid evaporation of This is a result of the rapid evaporation of the liquefied gas.the liquefied gas.

Minimising ExposureMinimising Exposure

EDUCATIONEDUCATION

EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCEEQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

SAFETY EQUIPMENTSAFETY EQUIPMENT

EFFECTIVE MONITORINGEFFECTIVE MONITORING

EDUCATIONEDUCATION

Staff should be made aware of the risks Staff should be made aware of the risks associated with N20.associated with N20.

A proper risk assessment should be A proper risk assessment should be conducted of the work area. Staff should conducted of the work area. Staff should be informed of the results.be informed of the results.

Procedures should be put in place and Procedures should be put in place and staff should be trained to minimize staff should be trained to minimize exposure.exposure.

EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCEEQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

Analgesic delivery equipment should be Analgesic delivery equipment should be tested on a regular basis in accordance tested on a regular basis in accordance with relevant Australian Standards and with relevant Australian Standards and manufacturers recommendations. manufacturers recommendations.

Midogas Analgesic SystemMidogas Analgesic System

The Original The Original Equipment Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Manufacturer (OEM) recommends 6 recommends 6 monthly testing.monthly testing.

Midogas units need to Midogas units need to be overhauled every be overhauled every 3 years.3 years.

Equinox IIEquinox II

System should be System should be function and pressure function and pressure tested 6-monthly.tested 6-monthly.

The Regulator should The Regulator should be overhauled every be overhauled every 3 years.3 years.

SAFTEY EQUIPMENTSAFTEY EQUIPMENT

All N20 delivery equipment should be All N20 delivery equipment should be connected to an effective scavenge connected to an effective scavenge system. system.

With properly maintained equipment and With properly maintained equipment and effective scavenging devices the effective scavenging devices the concentrations of nitrous oxide in concentrations of nitrous oxide in hospital wards and operating theatres hospital wards and operating theatres should be kept below 25ppm.should be kept below 25ppm.

Effective air conditioning systems will Effective air conditioning systems will also help remove some N20 from the also help remove some N20 from the work area.work area.

Safety gloves should be provided to staff Safety gloves should be provided to staff handling and connecting N20 bottleshandling and connecting N20 bottles

MONITORINGMONITORING

A regular monitoring program for at risk A regular monitoring program for at risk work environments should be work environments should be implemented.implemented.

Nitrous oxide monitors are available that Nitrous oxide monitors are available that test time weighted averages.test time weighted averages.

There are companies available that offer a There are companies available that offer a testing service.testing service.

How Often?How Often?

Initial monitoring.Initial monitoring.

Annual monitoring.Annual monitoring.

Periodic monitoring Periodic monitoring when initial results when initial results are above the TWA or are above the TWA or there is a change in there is a change in the procedure.the procedure.

What Are The Exposure StandardsWhat Are The Exposure Standards

Occupational Health and Safety Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 Regulation 2001

Adopted National Exposure Standards For Adopted National Exposure Standards For Atmospheric Contaminants In The Atmospheric Contaminants In The Occupational Environment Occupational Environment [NOHSC:1003(1995)][NOHSC:1003(1995)]

Occupational Health and Safety Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 Regulation 2001

Occupational Health and Safety Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 states “An employer must Regulation 2001 states “An employer must ensure that no person at a place of work is ensure that no person at a place of work is exposed to an airborne concentration of exposed to an airborne concentration of an atmospheric contaminant that exceeds an atmospheric contaminant that exceeds or breaches [NOHSC:1003 (1995)].or breaches [NOHSC:1003 (1995)].

[NOHSC:1003(1995)][NOHSC:1003(1995)]

Adopted National Exposure Standards For Adopted National Exposure Standards For Atmospheric Contaminants In The Atmospheric Contaminants In The Occupational Environment Occupational Environment [NOHSC:1003(1995)],[NOHSC:1003(1995)], states that the states that the maximum exposure standards allowable maximum exposure standards allowable for N20 is a time weighted average of for N20 is a time weighted average of 25ppm (45 mg/m3)25ppm (45 mg/m3)

NOHSC:1003(1995)NOHSC:1003(1995)

DOES YOUR DOES YOUR WORKPLACE WORKPLACE

COMPLYCOMPLY??

Contact DetailsContact Details

PH: (02) 9618 2577PH: (02) 9618 2577

Fax: (02) 9618 2588Fax: (02) 9618 2588

john@addtech.com.au

www.addtech.com.auwww.addtech.com.au