LIQUID NITROGEN PROCEDURE WORKING SAFELY WITH LIQUID NITROGEN

LIQUID NITROGEN PROCEDURE § § § WORKING SAFELY WITH LIQUID NITROGEN You must be trained for the tasks being completed & aware of related risks. Area must be well-ventilated, especially in enclosed spaces. Where required, oxygen monitors must be fitted and maintained. During dispensing you must wear a lab coat, cryogenic gloves and a safety visor. Never immerse cryogenic gloves in liquid nitrogen. You must wear closed toed shoes (mesh fabric trainers must not be used). Only use suitable equipment and sample containers. Check dewars and equipment for signs of damage before use. Do not become distracted when handling liquid nitrogen. No lone working or out of hours work without a specific, quantified and authorised risk assessment. Mark liquid nitrogen containers to indicate when empty. NEVER GET IN A LIFT with liquid nitrogen under any circumstances. Use appropriate signage/controls to prevent others entering the lift between floors. § § § LOW OXYGEN ALARM PROCEDURE Immediately evacuate the area. Stay outside and do not return until the all clear has been given. If the alarm activates during a normal nitrogen fill; do not re-enter the area until you have confirmed the O 2 level is above 19. 5 %. If there is a major spill or a dewar fails, the area must be evacuated and secured to prevent access. EMERGENCY FIRST AID FOR BURNS AND FROSTBITE Slowly raise the temperature back to normal. Treat affected area with copious quantities of tepid water (40°C) for a minimum of 15 minutes. DO NOT use hot water. Apply sterile non-adherent burn dressing. Take injured person to a hospital immediately. Do not ever pull clothing away from burned or frozen skin. If your skin is stuck to a surface, DO NOT pull - it could cause skin/flesh to tear away. For major injuries and eye burns, call 999, as this will require urgent medical intervention. HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH LIQUID NITROGEN CONTACT INFORMATION § ASPHYXIATION – When liquid nitrogen evaporates it quickly displaces oxygen. At low oxygen concentrations, unconsciousness and death will occur without warning. § CRYOGENIC BURNS AND FROSTBITE – can quickly occur on contact with cold surfaces. § SOFT MATERIAL BREAKAGE – e. g. plastics/rubber can become brittle, break and can cause spills. § PRESSURE BUILD UP – can occur in screw top containers and vials when freezing samples. QMUL Emergency Number (0207 882) 3333 Institute, School or Directorate Contacts Further topic information: http: //hsd. qmul. ac. uk/ Authored: Steven Carter & Irida Gaikwad QMUL_HS_130_Liquid_Nitrogen_Poster 24. 01. 2017_Version 1