Respiratory Solutions

Liquid Oxygen Delivery: Safety & Compliance Considerations

• By Andy Shurtleff
• Jun 01, 2009

If you are transporting, delivering and filling liquid oxygen, how do you know that you are doing so safely and in compliance with applicable guidelines and regulations? This is clearly a loaded question and one that would be difficult for almost anyone other than a full-time, focused compliance officer to answer. Even then, you could only answer what you personally are in control of and aware of at that moment. At some point, trust has to kick in. Then, Ronald Reagan's famous guideline echoes: "Trust, but verify."

You can start by developing some personal familiarity with best practices for vehicle and tank setup, transport and delivery, and liquid filling operations. The problem with information is that there is so much of it and finding the right resources is hard unless you know where to look. In the case of liquid oxygen delivery, some of the easiest sources to access are also some of the best.

Ideally, your oxygen supplier can provide you with information related to safe handling and filling of liquid oxygen. Almost all of the major gas producers and distributors have Web sites that provide a wealth of MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) data. Included in these data sheets is essential information on hazards, personal protective equipment, storage and proper handling. Some sites also provide bibliographic information or linking to take you to other resources.

Additionally, the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) has publications and videos online covering a vast array of safety, technical, training, standards and specifications issues. These can be found at www.cganet.com.

One of the more important publications available for home care oxygen delivery companies is SB-9 "Recommended Practice for the Outfitting and Operation of Vehicles Used in the Transportation and Transfilling of Liquid Oxygen Used for Respiration." This simple document is chock full of items that are an easy reference for checking your delivery vehicles, including venting, flammable material isolation or removal and driver protection. A sampling of key CGA documents includes:

• SB-31, Hazards of Oxygen in the Health Care Environment
• P-2, Transfilling of Liquid Oxygen Used for Respiration
• P-2.7, Guide for the Safe Storage, Handling and Use of Small Portable Liquid Oxygen Systems in Health Care Facilities
• P-12, Safe Handling of Cryogenic Liquids
• P-30, Portable Cryogenic Liquid Containers — Use, Care and Disposal

Somewhat less familiar and less commonly accessed by U.S. home care and medical liquid oxygen delivery providers is the European Industrial Gases Association (EIGA) publication "IGC Doc 128/04/E Design and Operation of Vehicles Used in Medical Oxygen Homecare Deliveries." This document goes into a lot of detail on suggested practices for upfitting trucks as well as filling and delivery. There is a potential for discrepancies between U.S. and E.U. guidelines for transporting liquid oxygen, record keeping and vehicle markings.

Nonetheless, this document provides good information for drivers, managers and others interested in a more complete understanding of best practices for medical oxygen delivery and handling. The publication also can be downloaded and retransmitted free of charge as long as you follow the guidelines for sharing.

Another resource for training, educational and support materials is the manufacturer of the liquid containers, hoses, personal protective gear and other equipment you might be using. Technical manuals can certainly be dry and boring, but there is no substitute for manufacturer handbooks to ensure proper use and operation of liquid systems.

Are you already familiar with road valve operation, trycock use when filling, proper use of safety reliefs with fill hoses, cargo bay venting requirements and the hazards of oxygen saturation? If so, then you might not have as much need as others for exploring the resources discussed here. Then again, there is always something to be said for sharpening the old sword to stay on top of your game. Your knowledge and awareness just might help someone else be safer and more efficient.

This article originally appeared in the Respiratory Management June 2009 issue of HME Business.