Quick Start Guide
Chapter 29: Safe Handling of Cryogenic Liquids

Program: Safe Handling of Cryogenic Liquids
NEW 01/10
URL: http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/pub3000/CH29/CH29.html
Revision Record: http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/pub3000/Pub3000Changes.html

Who needs to know about these requirements?

The requirements of Safe Handling of Cryogenic Liquids apply to:

• Berkeley Lab employees, participating guests, and visitors; and
  
• Subcontractors who work for
  
  • The Industrial Safety Group (Environment, Health, and Safety Division)
    
  • Transportation and Rigging Groups (Facilities Division)

Whenever they are:

• Handling cryogens such as liquid nitrogen, or operating cryogenic fluid handling systems

Why?

Unsafe handling of cryogenic liquids may result in:

• Staff injuries including frostbite or cryogenic burns and asphyxiation
  
• Damage to equipment

What you need to do before performing work:

1. Define work/protocols.
2. Analyze hazards. Perform risk-assessment.
• Workers who handle cryogenic liquids are required to analyze hazards in accordance with work processes available in Section 29.5.
3. Develop controls.
   • Make sure training has been completed. See Work Process B (Cryogen Safety Training) of Chapter 29 for cryogen-safety training requirements.
   • Wear proper PPE for handling cryogenics. For more information, see Work Process C (Personal Protection Equipment Requirements) of Chapter 29, PUB-3000.
   • Depending on your tasks, you will need to wear insulated gloves, safety glasses with side shields, a lab coat or a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and closed-toe shoes. For filling dewars at bulk filling stations, a face shield will be required in addition to the aforementioned PPE.
   • See Work Process D (Controls for Handling Cryogenic Liquids) for a list of engineering controls for handling cryogenic liquids.

Where to find out more:

• LBNL Health and Safety Manual (PUB-3000), Chapter 29, “Safe Handling of Cryogenic Liquids”

Whom to contact for help:

• For assistance with cryogenic-liquid applications, including safety engineering and industrial hygiene, LBNL staff and guests should contact the appropriate Division ES&H Team, or Joe Dionne (the LBNL Pressure Advisor) at (510) 486-7586 or JEDionne@lbl.gov.
  
• For assistance with cryogenic system repairs, maintenance, and modifications, LBNL staff who own cryogenic systems must contact the Facilities Division.