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6550 Cryogenic Safety Program |
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Work with cryogenic material, where release is possible, is considered a Risk Code 3 by Jefferson Lab. Therefore, an Operational Safety Procedure (OSP) may be required in accordance with ES&H Manual Chapter 3210 Work Planning, Control, and Authorization Process. |
Jefferson Lab
utilizes super-cooled gases
(otherwise known as cryogens) to support
superconducting radio frequency cavities and magnets at extremely low
(cryogenic) temperatures (below
−150°C, −238°F, or 123 K).
Cryogens present the following hazards:
· Extreme cold including immediate tissue destruction, and
· Oxygen Deficiency Hazard (ODH)
This program satisfies applicable federal, state, and local requirements as outlined in ES&H Manual Chapter 2410 Appendix T1 Hazard Issues List.
This document describes
responsibilities and expectations associated with the following cryogens used at Jefferson Lab:
·
helium
·
nitrogen
·
argon
·
hydrogen
·
oxygen
Liquid
air is not used in significant quantities at Jefferson Lab, but can be produced
as an unwanted by-product by the interaction of air with the surface of exposed
piping colder than 80 K. A
constituent of liquid air is liquid oxygen. Any contact between liquid oxygen
and petroleum products must be avoided.
NOTE: The use of cryogens contributes significantly to ODH at Jefferson Lab. See ES&H Manual Chapter 6540 Oxygen Deficiency Hazard (ODH) Control Program and its associated appendices for additional information. |
Table 1: Required Safety Training by
Job Classification
Training Course |
Qualified Cryogenic Worker |
ODH SAF103 |
X |
NOTE: Management authority may be delegated at the discretion of the responsible manager.
3.1
Everyone at Jefferson
Lab
· Observe and follow posted requirements.
3.2
Qualified
Cryogenic Worker
·
Complete and maintain
appropriate training and medical monitoring, including:
o
SAF-103 Oxygen Deficient
Hazards
·
Wear appropriate personal
protective equipment (PPE).
·
Ensure cryogen containers
are properly identified, classified, and labeled.
3.3
Supervisor/Subcontracting
Officer’s Technical Representative (SOTR)/Sponsor
· Identify and ensure worker’s training is adequate and current.
· Assign only trained and qualified cryogen workers to perform operations with cryogenic risks.
· Ensure that cryogen containers are properly labeled.
·
Ensure appropriate PPE is available and properly
used.
·
Maintain
cryogenic hazard labels and postings in areas under your authority. (If
necessary contact Industrial Hygiene to re-post a sign.)
3.4
Senior
Cryogenics Coordinator (SSC) for Accelerator Operations and SSC for End
Stations
·
Provide consultative assistance to Cryogenic
Workers and supervisors.
·
Distribute cryogen hazard labels and NFPA hazard diamond stickers
as needed.
·
Post cryogenic hazard signs when requested.
4.1 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Cryogen
handling requires specific PPE. ES&H Manual Chapter 6550 Appendix T1 Required Personal Protective Equipment for Cryogen Work describes how to
determine the appropriate PPE for cryogen work
and how to obtain it.
ES&H Manual Chapter 6550 Appendix T2 Response to Personal Cryogen Exposure describes how to recognize and appropriately respond in the event of personal exposure to cryogens.
4.3 Emergency Response to an Uncontrolled Release
ES&H
Manual Chapter 6550 Appendix T3 Emergency Response to Uncontrolled Cryogen
Release describes how to recognize and appropriately
respond in the event of an
uncontrolled cryogen release
4.4
Movement
of Cryogenic Dewars
Only qualified and authorized Cryogenic Workers are allowed to move cryogenic dewars. ES&H Manual Chapter 6150 Appendix T2 Moving Gas[1] Cylinders from Storage to Work Area provides Jefferson Lab’s minimum requirements for performing this operation.
Jefferson Lab requires
all cryogens used or stored on site to be labeled.
Cryogen workers fill out and affix both the content label and National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) label indicating the
hazard characteristics associated with the cryogen. These labels are available from the
Industrial Hygiene. The exception would be if
this information is included on the manufacturer’s label.
The operation of large cryogenic systems requires certain maintenance and repair to be done in the presence of cryogens. Only trained individuals may perform these operations under the authorization of the Senior Cryogenics Coordinator – Accelerator Operations, or for Experimental Halls.
Only
trained and authorized individuals are allowed access to buildings using
cryogenic piping and equipment. These buildings have posted ODH signs that specify
requirements for entry. (See ES&H
Manual Chapter 6540 Appendix T2 ODH Classifications, Engineering and
Administrative Control Practices, Training, and Medical Exclusions for
additional information.)
5.0
Revision Summary
Periodic Review – 01/17/17 – No changes per TPOC
Revision 1.3 – 03/19/15 – Updated Technical POC from Dana
Arenius to Jonathan Creel
Revision 1.2 – 07/08/14 – Deleted ‘Hazardous Cryogenic
Repair Procedure’ from Cryogenic Repair.
Revision 1.1 – 05/20/14
– Added Required Safety Training Table
Revision 1.0 – 01/17/12 – Updated to
reflect current laboratory operations
|
ISSUING AUTHORITY |
TECHNICAL POINT-OF-CONTACT |
APPROVAL DATE |
REVIEW DATE |
REV. |
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ESH&Q
Division |
01/17/17 |
01/17/22 |
1.3 |
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[1] For the purpose of this appendix the term “gas” is used, in its singular or plural form, to mean compressed, liquefied, and/or solidified gas.