PPE Decision Matrix Operation Potential Hazard Face Shield Safety Cryogen Gloves Closed-Toe Long (No Lab Coat or Remarks and Safety Glasses Shoes Cuffs) Shirt Glasses (with Side (with Side Shields) Shields) Pouring small Eye or skin injury from pressurized (<5 liters) splashing Avoid pouring cryogens X Recommended1 volume of LN2 between from above chest level X X Recommended1 open containers Work with Frostbite and burns Thermally insulated hand experimental samples from cold surface X Recommended1 may be an effective immersed in LN2 in contact alternative to gloves Recommended1 X X small (~1 L) dewar Handling chilled metal Frostbite and burns transfer lines from cold surface X X contact X X X Dispensing LN2 from a Frostbite and burns pressurized line to an from cold surface open dewar2 contact, eye and skin X X X X X X injury from splashing Frostbite and burns from contact with the unexpected release of Closed line pressurized cryogen LN2 or LHe transfer X X X X X X liquid or gas 1 Recommended. For a few limited operations, cryogen gloves or long-sleeve shirts/lab may not be needed. 2 When using a phase separator between the pressurized LN2 line and the open non-pressurized dewar, the risk of a cryogen splash is substantially reduced. Table Reference: Table D-2. Summary of PPE Requirements for Cryogen Use; Chapter 29 Safe Handling Practices for Cryogenics; Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, – ES&H Manual.
PPE Decision Matrix Operation Potential Hazard Face Shield and Safety Glasses (with Side Shields) Safety Glasses (with Side Shields) Cryogen Gloves Closed-Toe Shoes Long (No Cuffs) Lab Coat or Shirt Remarks Pouring small (<5 liters) volume of LN2 between open containers Eye or skin injury from splashing X Recommended1 X X Recommended1 Avoid pouring cryogens from above chest level Work with experimental samples immersed in LN2 in small (~1 L) dewar Frostbite and burns from cold surface contact X Recommended1 X X Recommended1 Thermally insulated hand may be an effective alternative to gloves Handling chilled metal transfer lines Frostbite and burns from cold surface contact X X X X X Dispensing LN2 from a pressurized line to an open dewar2 Frostbite and burns from cold surface contact, eye and skin injury from splashing X X X X X X Closed pressurized line LN2 or LHe transfer Frostbite and burns from contact with the unexpected release of pressurized cryogen liquid or gas X X X X X X 1 Recommended. For a few limited operations, cryogen gloves or long-sleeve shirts/lab may not be needed. 2 When using a phase separator between the pressurized LN2 line and the open non-pressurized dewar, the risk of a cryogen splash is substantially reduced. Table Reference: Table D-2. Summary of PPE Requirements for Cryogen Use; Chapter 29 – Safe Handling Practices for Cryogenics; Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, ES&H Manual.
penn_state_ehs_cryogen_sop_5-1-2017f.docx