After regulation 62 of the Principal Regulations , the following Division is inserted in Part 4:

Division 5A - Possession and supply of nitrous oxide and methoxyflurane

62A.     Interpretation of Division

In this Division –

first aid officer means a person who has a current certificate for the provision of first aid in a workplace granted by a registered training organisation;

qualified ambulance paramedic means a person recognised by the Director of Ambulance Services as a qualified ambulance paramedic;

registered training organisation means a registered training organisation within the meaning of the Vocational Education and Training Act 1994 ;

responsible officer means a person appointed under section 10 of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 .

62B.     Possession, supply and administration of nitrous oxide at workplace

(1)  A responsible officer at a workplace may –

(a) obtain and possess nitrous oxide (S4); and

(b) supply nitrous oxide (S4) to a first aid officer.

(2)  A first aid officer who has a current certificate in the use of nitrous oxide (S4) granted by a registered training organisation may –

(a) possess nitrous oxide (S4); and

(b) supply it for self-administration on the oral instruction of a medical practitioner or qualified ambulance paramedic; and

(c) supply it for self-administration on the written instruction, other than on a standing order, of a medical practitioner or qualified ambulance paramedic; and

(d) in an emergency, supply it for self-administration without instruction from a medical practitioner or qualified ambulance paramedic.

62C.     Possession, supply and administration of methoxyflurane at workplace

(1)  A responsible officer at a workplace may –

(a) obtain and possess methoxyflurane; and

(b) supply methoxyflurane to a first aid officer.

(2)  A first aid officer who has a current certificate in the use of methoxyflurane granted by a registered training organisation may –

(a) possess methoxyflurane; and

(b) supply it for self-administration on the oral instruction of a medical practitioner or qualified ambulance paramedic; and

(c) supply it for self-administration on the written instruction, other than on a standing order, of a medical practitioner or qualified ambulance paramedic; and

(d) in an emergency, supply it for self-administration without instruction from a medical practitioner or qualified ambulance paramedic.

62F.     Records of obtaining, supply and administration to be kept

(1)  Where a substance is obtained, supplied or administered under this Division by a first aid officer, the following people must make and keep a written record of that obtaining, supply or administration:

(a) the first aid officer;

(b) the responsible officer at the workplace.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

(2)  A written record is to include the name of the medical practitioner or qualified ambulance paramedic on whose instruction the substance was obtained, supplied or administered.

Displayed and numbered in accordance with the Rules Publication Act 1953 .

Notified in the Gazette on 6 April 2011

These regulations are administered in the Department of Health and Human Services.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the regulation)

These regulations amend the Poisons Regulations 2008 to allow the possession, supply and administration of nitrous oxide and methoxyflurane in certain circumstances.