Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to handle medical gas equipment in a safe manner 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 Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria specify the level of performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Follow workplace requirements and relevant legislation to prepare for handling and storage of medical gas and equipment | 1.1 Read work sheets to determine medical gas handling requirements 1.2 Select equipment required for medical gas handling appropriate for the size of cylinder and work tasks 1.3 Organise and set up work areas to ensure safe, effective and efficient handling of medical gas equipment 1.4 Inspect medical gas equipment to ensure cleanliness of all components, including yoke, manifold or regulator 1.5 Identify potential medical gas hazards to work and manage associated risks according to job requirements 1.6 Report and document identified hazards and risks 1.7 Select emergency and personal protective equipment and fit in accordance with manufacturer specifications 1.8 Fit and test bottles and regulators |
2. Follow workplace procedures and legislative requirements to handle medical gas equipment | 2.1 Use personal protective equipment and recommended precautions when handling medical gas equipment 2.2 Confirm 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 according to manufacturer recommendations 2.4 Select appropriate trolley size and type for the movement of cylinders 2.5 Restrain cylinders for transport 2.6 Select appropriate regulators for use with cylinder 2.7 Close valves prior to transport 2.8 Close cylinder valves and release regulator pressure after use 2.9 Monitor gas pipeline and manifold systems 2.10 Replace empty bottles and banks as soon as exhausted 2.11 Open cylinder valves on manifold banks in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and organisation requirements and whether they are manual or automatic |
3. Follow workplace procedures and legislative requirements for storing medical gas cylinders and equipment | 3.1 Store all cylinders and equipment in appropriate storage locations in accordance with manufacturer recommendations 3.2 Store cylinders away from combustible material 3.3 Use cylinder stock on a rotational system and keep full and empty cylinders separate 3.4 Protect cylinders from cold and heat 3.5 Close and secure storage area 3.6 Display clearly visible signage outside medical gas storage area |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:
prepared, handled and stored medical gas cylinders and equipment in accordance with workplace requirements on 3 separate occasions
identified at least 2 actual or potential hazards associated with medical gas and followed workplace and role requirements to address risks.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
relevant industry standards and legislation for storage and handling of gases in cylinders
workplace requirements and policies for storage and handling of gases in cylinders
potential risks and hazards to gas equipment use and associated precautions and workplace health and safety (WHS) requirements
personal protective equipment
emergency response procedures
transportation requirements and equipment
cylinder identification
gas types.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in a workplace or a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities equipment and resources, including:
medical gas equipment
emergency and personal protective equipment
work sheets
modelling of industry operating conditions, including:
a supervisor to whom the candidate reports.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.