Page History

BRIEF

Policy Summary

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.

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:

ES&H Manual Chapter 29

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]

POLICY

A. Purpose

This policy describes the restrictions and conditions for persons who handle cryogenic liquids 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, liquid argon, liquid oxygen, and liquid hydrogen.

B. Persons Affected

Berkeley Lab employees, visitors, affiliates, and subcontractors who handle cryogenic liquids or who operate cryogenic-liquid-handling systems at the Laboratory

C. Exceptions

None

D. Policy Statement

1. The primary hazards associated with cryogenic liquids are:
   1. Thermal hazards due to extremely low temperatures.
   2. Pressurization hazards due to inadequate venting.
   3. Oxygen deficiency due to oxygen displacement (for all cryogenic liquids except liquid oxygen).
2. Additional hazards include any hazardous characteristics associated with the cryogenic liquid (e.g., flammability of hydrogen). See work processes A, B, F, and H for more details on hazards.
3. Cryogenic liquids are obtained by:
   1. The Principal Investigator placing an order for a portable cryogenic liquid dewar through a request to the on-site chemical supplier or
   2. The Principal Investigator making a request to the Facilities Division to connect to or dispense from a bulk cryogenic liquid tank (the Facilities Division has responsibility for the Laboratory's bulk cryogenic systems and for their safe design, operation, and maintenance).
4. Orders and facilities requests should be followed with a note or call to the Cryogenic Liquids Subject Matter Expert (SME) to start assessment processes.
5. Before work with cryogenic liquids is undertaken, an oxygen-deficiency risk assessment must be conducted (Work Process C).
6. Persons who handle cryogens or who operate cryogenic-liquid-handling systems at Berkeley Lab must, prior to use of either, 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).
7. Ensure all hazards associated with the handling of cryogenic liquids in an area are identified and controlled (work processes C through H).
8. Line management must ensure:
   1. Only equipment intended for cryogenic service is used.
   2. 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.
   3. Equipment is appropriately designed, fabricated, and used for cryogenic use (See Work Process D of ES&H Manual Chapter 29).
9. Users of cryogenic systems must follow training guidance and written procedures covering:
   1. Operation of cryogenics systems (work processes B, D, and H).
   2. Use of controls for cryogenic liquid handling, including personal protective equipment (PPE) (work processes C, D, E, and G).
   3. Transportation of cryogenic liquids (Work Process H).
   4. Disposal of cryogenic materials (Work Process J).
   5. Reporting of incidents with cryogenic liquids (Work Process K).

E. Roles and Responsibilities

See the ES&H Manual for roles and responsibilities related to the execution of this policy's implementation.

F. Definitions/Acronyms

See ES&H Manual Chapter 29 for technical terms related to the details of this policy and its implementation.

G. Recordkeeping Requirements

H. Implementing Documents

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

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

Source Requirements Documents

• 8 CCR Chapter 4, Subchapter 7, General Industry Safety Orders
• 10 CFR 851, Worker Safety and Health Program
• ANSI/ASME B31.3, Process Piping
• ASME Section VIII Division 1, Pressure Vessels
• CGA P-12, Safe Handling of Cryogenic Liquids
• 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 45 Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals, Chapter 10, Compressed and Liquefied Gases
• 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
• International Fire Code (IFC)

Other References

• British Cryogenics Council, Safety Panel, Cryogenics Safety Manual
• Edeskuty, F. J., and W. F. Stewart, "Safety in the Handling of Cryogenic Fluids," 1996, Plenum Press
• Timmerhaus, K. D., and T. M. Flynn, "Cryogenic Process Engineering," 1989, Plenum Press