§ 123.26. Regulations for use of flammable anesthetic agents.
(a) Flammable anesthetic agents shall be employed only in areas in which a conductive pathway can be maintained between the patient and the conductive floor. The safety regulations of the hospital shall specify areas where flammable agents may not be used.
(b) All personnel working in or entering areas where flammable anesthetic agents are in use shall wear conductive footwear. The conductivity of the footwear shall be tested periodically as required by the safety regulations of the hospital.
(c) All equipment in the surgical suite must be fitted with grounding devices to maintain a constant conductive path to the floor.
(d) Fabrics permissible for use as outer garments or blankets in anesthetizing areas shall be specified.
(e) With the exception of certain portable radiologic equipment approved for use in anesthetizing locations and of fixed lighting more than five feet above the floor, all electrical equipment must be monitored by a ground detector. When the detector indicates a grounded condition by lighted red signal or audible warning, or both, the administration of any combustible anesthetic agents shall be discontinued at the earliest possible moment and the use of any electrical equipment avoided. Following completion of the procedure, the operating room from which the signal emanated shall not be used until the defect is remedied.
(f) The condition of the operating room electrical equipment, such as cords, plugs, switches, and various electronic devices, shall be inspected for mechanical damage before each use and shall not be used if the inspection discloses mechanical damage. The conductivity of floors, furniture, and accessories, the ground detector, the ground continuity, the isolated power system, and so on shall be tested by methods and at time intervals as required by the National Fire Protection Association standards for the use of anesthetics and the safe use of electricity in hospitals.
(g) Safety precautions shall include measures to assure humidity control.
(h) Safety precautions shall include storage of flammable anesthetic and oxidizing gases to meet Standard No. 56A and Standard No. 56B of the National Fire Protection Association Code.
Authority The provisions of this § 123.26 issued under 67 Pa.C.S. § § 6101—6104; and Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1973 (71 P. S. § 755-2).
Source The provisions of this § 123.26 amended September 19, 1980, effective September 20, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 3761. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (37867).
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