HLTHSS012 Handle medical gases safely

Release: 1

HLTHSS012 Handle medical gases safely

Modification History

Not applicable.

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge to handle medical gas equipment in a safe manner to workplace requirements within the health care environment.

This unit applies to a variety of health or community service roles involving handling medical gases. At this level workers perform under supervision and generally within a team environment within predetermined guidelines.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with workplace requirements, Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Competency Field

Health Support Services

Unit Sector

Health

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENTS	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Elements describe the essential outcomes	Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.
1. Prepare for handling and storage of medical gas and equipment.	1.1. Select equipment and handling requirements in accordance organisational procedures. 1.2. Set up work areas to ensure safe, effective and efficient handling of equipment. 1.3. Inspect equipment for cleanliness or damage of all components. 1.4. Identify potential hazards to work and manage risks in accordance organisational procedures. 1.5. Report and document identified hazards and risks. 1.6. Wear personal protective equipment and fit in accordance organisational procedures and manufacturer specifications. 1.7. Fit and test bottles and regulators in accordance with manufacturers requirements.
2. Handle medical gas equipment.	2.1. Use recommended precautions when handling medical gas equipment. 2.2. Ensure only trained and authorised personnel are involved in handling medical gas equipment. 2.3. Handle medical gas cylinders and related equipment with care and position in accordance with legislative requirements and manufacturer instructions. 2.4. Select trolley size and type and restrain cylinders for transport. 2.5. Select regulators for use with cylinder. 2.6. Close valves prior to transport. 2.7. Close cylinder valves and release regulator pressure after use. 2.8. Monitor gas pipeline and manifold systems. 2.9. Replace empty bottles and banks as soon as exhausted. 2.10. Open cylinder valves on manifold banks in accordance with and organisational procedures and manufacturer guidelines.
3. Store medical gas cylinders and equipment.	3.1. Store all cylinders and equipment in storage locations in accordance with organisational procedures, legislative requirements and manufacturer recommendations. 3.2. Store cylinders away from combustible materials. 3.3. Use cylinder stock on a rotational system and keep full and empty cylinders separate. 3.4. Ensure cylinders are protected from cold and heat. 3.5. Close and secure storage area in accordance with organisational procedures. 3.6. Ensure signage is clearly displayed outside medical gas storage area.

Foundation Skills

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Unit Mapping Information

Supersedes and is equivalent to HLTHSS007 Handle medical gases safely.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=ced1390f-48d9-4ab0-bd50-b015e5485705