Title: |
Cryogenic Liquid Hazards and Controls |
Publication date: |
9/10/2013 |
Effective date: |
1/29/2010 |
BRIEF
Policy Summary
This policy describes the restrictions and conditions for persons who handle cryogens or who operate cryogenic-liquid-handling systems at Berkeley Lab. Cryogenic liquids include, but are not limited to, liquid nitrogen, liquid helium, and liquid argon.
Who Should Read This Policy
Berkeley Lab employees, visitors, affiliates, and subcontractors who handle cryogens or who operate cryogenic-liquid-handling systems at Berkeley Lab
To Read the Full Policy, Go To:
The POLICY tab on this wiki page
To Read the EH&S Program Details, Go To:
http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/pub3000/CH29/CH29.html
Contact Information
For assistance on cryogenic-liquid applications, including safety engineering and industrial hygiene, contact:
EHS Division
Subject Matter Expert for Cryogens
Alyssa Brand
(510) 486-7246
[email protected]
For assistance with cryogenic system repairs, maintenance, and modifications, contact:
Facilities Division
Mike Botello
(510) 486-7941
[email protected]
Title: |
Cryogenic Liquid Hazards and Controls |
Publication date: |
9/10/2013 |
Effective date: |
1/29/2010 |
POLICY
A. Purpose
This policy describes the restrictions and conditions for persons who handle cryogens or who operate cryogenic-liquid-handling systems at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).
Cryogenic liquids include, but are not limited to, liquid nitrogen, liquid helium, and liquid argon.
B. Persons Affected
Berkeley Lab employees, visitors, affiliates, and subcontractors who handle cryogens or who operate cryogenic-liquid-handling systems at the Laboratory
C. Exceptions
None
D. Policy Statement
- The primary hazards associated with cryogenic liquids are:
- Thermal hazards due to extremely low temperatures
- Pressurization hazards due to inadequate venting
Oxygen deficiency due to oxygen displacement (for inert cryogens)
There are additional hazards including any hazardous characteristics associated with the cryogenic liquid (e.g., flammability of hydrogen). See Work Processes A and F for more details on hazards.
- Cryogenic liquids are obtained by:
- The Principal Investigator placing an order for a portable cryogenic liquid dewar through a request to the on-site chemical supplier or
- The Principal Investigator making a request to the Facilities Division to connect to a cryogenics liquid tank (the Facilities Division has responsibility for the Laboratory's bulk cryogenic systems and for their safe design, operation, and maintenance.)
- Orders and Facilities Requests should be followed with a note or call to the Cryogenic Liquids Subject Matter Expert (SME) to start assessment processes.
- Before work with cryogenic liquids is undertaken, an oxygen-deficiency risk assessment must be conducted (Work Process A).
- Prior to use, persons who handle cryogens or who operate cryogenic-liquid-handling systems at Berkeley Lab must complete training that covers:
- Awareness of hazards related to the equipment
- Methods for controlling those hazards
- Proper operating procedures applicable to the equipment (Work Process B)
- Ensure all hazards associated with the handling of cryogenic liquids in an area are identified and controlled (Work Processes C, D, E, F. J, K, and L).
- Line management must ensure:
- Only equipment intended for cryogenic service is used
- Equipment, commercial or otherwise, is not modified in a fashion that could defeat the designed safety features of the equipment or otherwise create an unforeseen hazard, such as inadequate venting of cryogen spaces
- Equipment is appropriately designed, fabricated, and used for cryogenic use (See Work Processes D, J, K, and L of Pub-3000 Chapter 29.
- Users of cryogenic systems must follow training guidance and written procedures covering:
- Operation of cryogenics systems (Work Processes G, H, I, J, K, L, and M)
- Use of controls for cryogenic liquid handling, including personal protective equipment (PPE) (Work Processes C, D, H and I)
- Transportation of cryogenic liquids (Work Process N)
- Disposal of cryogenic materials (Work Process O)
- Reporting of incidents with cryogenic liquids (Work Process P)
E. Roles and Responsibilities
See Pub-3000 for roles and responsibilities related to the execution of this policy's implementation.
Role |
Responsibility |
Facilities Division |
Oversees the Laboratory's bulk cryogenic systems and their safe design, operation, and maintenance |
Industrial Hygiene SME |
Is responsible for development, approval, revision, and administration of this policy and its implementing documents |
Line Managers |
Ensure that persons within their areas of responsibility comply with this policy and its implementing documents |
Supervisors and Work Leads |
Ensure that persons within their areas of responsibility comply with this policy and its implementing documents, and in particular have completed the required training prior to beginning work |
Cryogenic Liquid Users |
Follow all guidance provided in training and Work Processes to safety use, transport, and dispose of cryogenic liquids |
F. Definitions/Acronyms
See PUB-3000 Chapter 29) for technical terms related to the details of this policy and its implementation.
Term |
Definition |
Cryogenic Liquid |
A material whose boiling point is less than 120 degrees Kelvin. The typical cryogenic materials used at Berkeley Lab include but are not limited to liquid nitrogen, liquid helium, and liquid argon. |
G. Recordkeeping Requirements
Role |
Recordkeeping Requirement |
Subject Matter Expert |
Oxygen-Deficiency Risk Assessments |
Subject Matter Expert |
Cryogenic Safety Training Records |
Subject Matter Expert |
Activity Hazard Document |
Hazardous Waste Office |
Hazardous Waste Manifests |
H. Implementing Documents
Document Number |
EH&S Reference Numbers |
Title |
Type |
07.07.009.001 |
Ch. 29 |
Cryogenic Liquids |
Program |
07.07.026.001 |
Ch. 7 |
Program |
|
07.07.009.002 |
Ch. 29, Work Process A |
Process |
|
07.07.009.003 |
Ch. 29, Work Process B |
Process |
|
07.07.009.004 |
Ch. 29, Work Process C |
Personal Protective Equipment for Handling Cryogenic Liquids |
Process |
07.07.009.005 |
Ch. 29, Work Process D |
Process |
|
07.07.009.006 |
Ch. 29, Work Process E |
Process |
|
07.07.009.007 |
Ch. 29, Work Process F |
Process |
|
07.07.009.008 |
Ch 29, Work Process G |
Process |
|
07.07.009.009 |
Ch 29, Work Process H |
Sample Calculations for Oxygen Deficiency Involving the Filling of LN2 Dewars |
Process |
07.07.009.010 |
Ch 29, Work Process I |
Process |
|
07.07.009.011 |
Ch 29, Work Process J |
Process |
|
07.07.009.012 |
Ch 29, Work Process K |
Process |
|
07.07.009.013 |
Ch 29, Work Process L |
Process |
|
07.07.009.014 |
Ch 29, Work Process M |
Process |
|
07.07.009.015 |
Ch 29, Work Process N |
Process |
|
07.07.009.016 |
Ch 29, Work Process O |
Process |
|
07.07.009.017 |
Ch 29, Work Process P |
Process |
I. Contact Information
For assistance on cryogenic-liquid applications, including safety engineering and industrial hygiene, contact:
EH&S Subject Matter Expert for Cryogens
Alyssa Brand
(510) 486-7246
[email protected]
For assistance with cryogenic system repairs, maintenance, and modifications, contact:
Facilities Division
Mike Botello
(510) 486-7941
[email protected]
J. Revision History
Date |
Revision |
By whom |
Revision Description |
Section(s) affected |
Change Type |
9/10/13 |
1.1 |
S.Robinson |
Reviewed 9/6/2013, no changes |
Publ & Next Review Dates |
Minor |
1/2/2012 |
1 |
J. Dionne |
Rewrite for wiki |
all |
Minor |
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
Title: |
Cryogenic Liquid Hazards and Controls |
Document number |
07.07.009.000 |
Revision number |
1.1 |
Publication date: |
9/10/2013 |
Effective date: |
1/29/2010 |
Next review date: |
9/10/2016 |
Policy Area: |
Industrial Hygiene and Safety |
RPM Section (home) |
ESH |
RPM Section (cross-reference) |
none |
Functional Division |
EH&S |
Prior reference information (optional) |
PUB-3000 Ch. 29 |
Source Requirements Documents
- 10 CFR 851.21(C)(a)(5), Worker Health and Safety Program; Hazard Identification and Assessment; Evaluate operations, procedures, and facilities to identify workplace hazards.
- 10 CFR 851, Worker Safety and Health Program
- 29 CFR 1910.101, Compressed Gases
- 49 CFR 173.316, Cryogenic Liquids in Cylinders
- ANSI/ASME B31.3, Process Piping
- ASME Section VIII Division 1, Pressure Vessels
Implementing Documents
Document Number |
EH&S Reference Numbers |
Title |
Type |
07.07.009.001 |
Ch. 29 |
Cryogenic Liquids |
Program |
07.07.026.001 |
Ch. 7 |
Program |
|
07.07.009.002 |
Ch. 29, Work Process A |
Process |
|
07.07.009.003 |
Ch. 29, Work Process B |
Process |
|
07.07.009.004 |
Ch. 29, Work Process C |
Personal Protective Equipment for Handling Cryogenic Liquids |
Process |
07.07.009.005 |
Ch. 29, Work Process D |
Process |
|
07.07.009.006 |
Ch. 29, Work Process E |
Process |
|
07.07.009.007 |
Ch. 29, Work Process F |
Process |
|
07.07.009.008 |
Ch 29, Work Process G |
Process |
|
07.07.009.009 |
Ch 29, Work Process H |
Sample Calculations for Oxygen Deficiency Involving the Filling of LN2 Dewars |
Process |
07.07.009.010 |
Ch 29, Work Process I |
Process |
|
07.07.009.011 |
Ch 29, Work Process J |
Process |
|
07.07.009.012 |
Ch 29, Work Process K |
Process |
|
07.07.009.013 |
Ch 29, Work Process L |
Process |
|
07.07.009.014 |
Ch 29, Work Process M |
Process |
|
07.07.009.015 |
Ch 29, Work Process N |
Process |
|
07.07.009.016 |
Ch 29, Work Process O |
Process |
|
07.07.009.017 |
Ch 29, Work Process P |
Process |
Other References
- Compressed Gas Association, Pamphlet P-12, Safe Handling of Cryogenic Liquids
- Compressed Gas Association, Pamphlet P-12, Safe Handling of Cryogenic Liquids, 6.7
- NFPA 55, Standard for the Storage, Use, and Handling of Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Liquids in Portable and Stationary Containers, Cylinders, and Tanks
- Public Law 91-596, Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
- International Fire Code (IFC) Chapter 32 "Cryogenic Fluids"
- DOE Guide 440.1-8, Implementation Guide for Use with 10 CFR Part 851, Worker Safety and Health Program, Section 3.3.2.1.5