CSA Z305.13:13 (R2020)

Overview

Surgical smoke plume, also known under other names such as laser plume and surgical smoke, poses a real threat to the health and safety of health care workers. Plume can contain a variety of contaminants such as viruses, bacteria, debris and even aerosolized blood and blood borne pathogens. These hazards can be found not only in traditional surgical environments but also in non-traditional settings such as dental offices, veterinary facilities, cosmetic facilities and even academic settings. This second edition of Z305.13 contains key updates and continues to ensure that current best practices are met. Information is provided from ensuring appropriate measures are incorporated into existing health and safety management systems to specific requirements for plume scavenging systems (PSSs).

Highlights of Z305.13 include:

• Clearly outlines procedural requirements

• Guidance on plume hazard control measures

• Clearly outlines requirements for managers and medical engineers involved the purchase and installation of plume scavenging systems

• Covers purchasing, installation, testing, use, servicing, and regular maintenance of PSSs

• Includes Annex on types of PSSs

• Includes Annex for illustrations of typical plume capture devices and transfer tubing

Preface

This is the second edition of CSA Z305.13, Plume scavenging in surgical, diagnostic, therapeutic, and aesthetic settings. It supersedes the previous edition published in 2009. 

Scope

1.1

This Standard applies to systems and equipment used to capture and evacuate plume. It applies to all settings where such systems and equipment are used, including, but not limited to, the following: 

a) surgical facilities

b) dental clinics

c) medical offices

d) veterinary facilities

e) laboratories and other research and testing facilities

f) cosmetic treatment facilities

g) teaching facilities

h) manufacturing facilities

i) professional exhibitions and trade shows

1.2

This Standard provides guidance on the purchasing, installation, testing, use, servicing, and regular maintenance of plume scavenging systems (PSSs). 

Note: See Annex A for information on the types of plume scavenging systems and Annex B for illustrations of typical plume capture devices and transfer tubing. 

1.3

This Standard does not include requirements for 

a) anaesthetic gas scavenging systems (see CAN/CSA-Z7396.2)

b) medical vacuum systems and equipment (see CAN/CSA-Z7396.112)

c) heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems (see CAN/CSA-Z317.2)

d) aspects of laser safety other than airborne contamination and particles produced by laser beam interaction with materials (see CSA Z386) 

e) aspects of electrosurgery and electrocautery other than airborne contamination and particles produced by electrosurgery or electrocautery resulting from interaction with materials

1.4

In this Standard, shall is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; should is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and may is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard. 

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. 

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. 

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application. 

1.5

The values given in SI (metric) units are the standard. Where values are given in parentheses, they are for information only.