The danger of nitrous oxide is no laughing matter

The danger of nitrous oxide is no laughing matter

Nitrous oxide (N20), commonly referred to as ‘laughing gas’, is a colorless gas stored as a liquid. Breathing nitrous oxide can cause dizziness, unconsciousness, and even death. Long-term exposure can lead to infertility. Contact with liquid nitrous oxide can cause severe frostbite. Workers may be harmed from exposure to nitrous oxide. The level of exposure depends on the dose, duration, and type of work being done.

Nitrous oxide is used in many dental practices. It can come from anesthetic equipment, surgical patients, and storage cylinders. Of course, this puts all dental workers, patients and service workers at risk of exposure. Some examples of workers at risk of nitrous oxide exposure include the following:

NIOSH recommends that employers use the hierarchy of controls (recall elimination, administration, etc.) to prevent worker exposures. The dental practice owner should make sure the reasonable precautions are implemented including ensuring that workers use and safely handle nitrous oxide. A copy of the nitrous oxide Safety Data Sheet should be available to all workers to access.

Employers should also make sure that vendors are delivering compressed gas cylinders safely. Reference the safety data sheet for this information. All workers including office staff, dentists and associates require WHMIS 2015 training including certificates that demonstrate the validity of the training.

Need more help? Contact Dental Practice Safety 416-283-7233 and dental@actfirstsafety.ca
Dental Practice Safety training programs are dental specific, designed specifically for dental practices.

Dental Practice Safety is a CPO/MOL approved training provider.

WHMIS 2015 – Dentistry
JHSC – Part 1
JHSC – Part 2
Workplace Violence and Harassment Prevention
Conflict Resolution

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Contact Dental Practice Safety at 416.283.7233 or contact us for further information.