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Appendix 2

Health & Safety

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING FOR USE WITH LIQUID NITROGEN

(a) Eye protection: as a minimum, safety spectacles with side shields must be worn whenever handling liquid nitrogen. A face shield to EN 166 must be worn where there is a risk of splashing the face or eyes, e.g. during filling operations. Models with brow guard and chin guard offer the best protection.

(b) Hand protection: For filling operations, non-absorbent, insulated gloves to EN 511, or loose fitting leather gloves (for ease of removal in case of spillage) must be worn and coat sleeves should cover the ends of the gloves. Gauntlets are not recommended as liquid may run down inside them. These gloves will also protect the skin from contact with objects that have been cooled by liquid nitrogen. Gloves are not intended to protect the hands against immersion in liquid nitrogen.

(c) Foot protection: open toed shoes must not be worn.

(d) Clothing: as a minimum, a lab coat or overall should be worn. If boots are worn, then trousers should be worn outside of them, not tucked into them. A splash resistant apron will give added protection where dewars are being lifted or carried, or wherever there is a high risk of splashing, e.g. during filling operations.

(e) Ear protection: ear plugs or ear defenders may be required where excessive noise occurs when filling or venting liquid nitrogen systems (a noise assessment may need to be carried out – see UPS S1/06).