Oxygen cylinders and DSEAR

Re: Oxygen cylinders and DSEAR

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:33:08 GMT

More of an issue with use of oxygen rather than its storage was a recent communication from Brinsea about our ICU: they had identified a fault which meant that an incident could occur if the unit was used as an incubator as well as an O2 therapy unit at the same time which could result in a flash baked patient or even a surgery fire! Bit late as I've been using it for 5 years quite happily. Use it as an incubator or an O2 unit but not both at the same time they said which is a bit of a nuisance as usually a patient in need of O2 therapy could also do with being warmed up a bit. No recall or advice on rectifying the fault!

Re: Oxygen cylinders and DSEAR

Rob Loxley — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:42:43 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"] There are lots of H&S implications with O2 cylinders (previous thread about transporting them!) but not the contents[/quote]

But equally you'd be daft to store the oxygen with other flammable items, and as previously mentioned you need to look at ventilation.

Re: Oxygen cylinders and DSEAR

Bob Russell — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 12:59:12 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

[quote user="Bob Russell"]Oxygen is not explosive or inflammable but supports combustion.[/quote] Don't be so sure, have you not seen Jaws? Actually I suspect the only health and safety issues ever having arisen from oxygen cylinders would be a nurse doing her back in lifting them or one tipping over and landing on her foot!

[/quote]

Cylinders are pressurized so still go bang. I have managed to avoid the JAWS films but I assume the shark explodes in flames! There are lots of H&S implications with O2 cylinders (previous thread about transporting them!) but not the contents (we breathe the stuff) so safe handling/lifting regs are more relevant.

We have piped O2 so don't have to move or lift them anyway, thank goodness!

Re: Oxygen cylinders and DSEAR

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:24:14 GMT

Re: Oxygen cylinders and DSEAR

Bob Russell — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 10:30:12 GMT

Oxygen is not explosive or inflammable but supports combustion. As such it is not a dangerous substance per se. The cylinders are a different matter. If you have done a risk assessment for the handling of cylinders you should be well covered IMO. Good ventilation is key!

We have informed the local Fire and Rescue so they know what we store. We are next door to a hardware store that has Calor cylinders so my advice to staff in case of a fire is run!

Re: Oxygen cylinders and DSEAR

Anthony Todd — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 00:58:17 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]I don't see why the size of cylinder would mean you do/don't need to consider DSEAR[/quote]

As E cylinders are given out for use in the home as well as vets the regs may be different from great big industrial sizes.

Are there any legal requirements detailed anywhere. We've already done the risk assessments etc.

Do you have to get them externally certificated as you do with say, asbestos?

Re: Oxygen cylinders and DSEAR

Rob Loxley — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 23:17:17 GMT

I don't see why the size of cylinder would mean you do/don't need to consider DSEAR. As with most H&S it's a case of identifying hazards, estimating risks and putting reasonable control measures to control these risks.

Specific to medical oxygen might include where cylinders are stored (ventilation and not storing with other flammable substances, also how many), safety in use and emergency situations (e.g. what to do is a fire breaks out) and maybe making sure the fire brigade know they are on the premises?

Re: Oxygen cylinders and DSEAR

Anthony Todd — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 19:07:02 GMT

Yeah, done that, but they don't mention anaesthetic Oxygen??

Has anyone done or dealt with DSEAR?

Re: Oxygen cylinders and DSEAR

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:32:09 GMT

From a brief look at HSE site, I think you would have to 'consider the risk'.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/dsear.htm