Markus Hofer (Chair WHS committee) & Dianne Fisher (Safety Officer)

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1 Use this form to assist you to complete risk assessments for hazardous activities and processes. Any serious or ongoing hazards should be reported via RiskWare to ensure that appropriate corrective actions are tracked and completed. Faculty/School: Faculty of Science / School of Molecular Bioscience Risk Assessment Reference Number: SMB010 Initial Issue Date: Oct 2015 Next Review Date: Oct 2016 Risk Assessment Name: Using cryogens including liquid nitrogen Prepared by: Ann Kwan Responsible supervisor/s: Markus Hofer (Chair WHS committee) & Dianne Fisher (Safety Officer) Identify the activity and the location Activity or process: Performing routine transfer or refilling of cryogens and snap freezing of samples. Identify who may be at risk This may include fellow workers, students, visitors, contractors and the public Persons at risk: Staff and students working or studying in the School of Molecular Biosciences. Location: Rm 201 and research laboratories. Risk assessment team (Who was consulted?): WHS committee at SMB List of Legislation, Code of Practice, Australian Standards, Guidance Materials used to determine control measures SAFE WORK PROCEDURE SWP010.2 Risk Assessment Methodology Assessing the risk is a brainstorming exercise, which is most effectively carried out in a team environment with the people required to complete the activity or process. Most activities or processes are broken down into a variety of separate tasks. For each task, consider the hazards, the potential harm or negative outcomes and the conditions required for those negative outcomes to occur. Whenever assessing the health and safety risks associated with a task, always consider the following primary risk factors. The physical activities required to complete the task e.g. repetitive movement, high force, physical exertion, awkward posture The work environment e.g. lighting, work layout, traffic, thermal comfort, working in isolation The nature of the hazard itself e.g. working with chemicals, microorganisms, radiation, machinery, potentially violent clients The individual workers involved, e.g. level of training, skills, experience, health, age, physical capacity The information gathered from the risk assessment process must be used to develop a Safe Work Procedure (SWP).

2 Task or scenario Hazard/s Associated harm, e.g. what could go wrong? Existing Risk Controls Current risk rating Use the Risk Matrix Any additional controls are required? 1 Residual risk rating Use the Risk Matrix Transferring cryogens from one vessel to another Flash freezing using cryogens Contact with skin or eyes. Condensation of liquid oxygen in open containers Spills/evaporation of cryogens in enclosed spaces Use of inappropriate container (e.g. glass dewar, Eppendorf tubes, inappropriate sample container) Severe burns, permanent tissue damage and loss of eyesight Explosion or fire associated with enriched oxygen Suffocation Injury from projectile fragments if container or transfer line shatters 1. Wear Appropriate PPE. 2. If an oxygen monitor is in alarm state, do not enter the room and notify room custodian. 3. Check that all work areas in which you will use the cryogenic agent are well-ventilated and not small enclosed spaces. Never travel in an elevator with cryogens. 4. Check that all containers and tools you are going to use are compatible with ultracold temperatures, and will not shatter or explode. Glass should be avoided. Metals or plastics are preferred. 5. When dispensing liquid N 2 from a large cylinder into a smaller Dewar, ensure supply pipe is a few inches inside the vessel, not above it. Slowly turn the supply tap and adjust the speed of dispensing to prevent splashing. Turn the tap off immediately when it starts to splash over. Never leave your Dewar unattended and do not leave liquid N 2 in containers exposed to the atmosphere for prolonged periods. 6. When collecting dry ice from another container use an appropriate scooping instrument or gently tip container to direct the dry ice into your own container. Don t pick up MEDIUM LEVEL3 Ensure proper training by supervisor N/A 1 Always consider whether or not it is possible to eliminated the hazard or hazardous task altogether. If this is not possible, refer to the hierarchy of risk controls.

3 dry ice with bare hands burns will result. 7. If dispensing liquid nitrogen to another receptacle pour slowly and carefully to minimise splashing. 8. Do NOT create a gastight seal on any vessel containing either liquid nitrogen or dry ice. This can result in explosion and release of extremely cold vapours and/or liquid, and sharp fragments of the container. 9.Refer to SWP010.2 Page 3

4 Implementation of Additional Risk Controls Additional controls needed Resources required Responsible person Date of implementation RiskWare Reference Safe Work Procedure (SWP) Train workers to complete process in accordance with SWP University and local WHS training DONE/time WHS committee N/A DONE/Time Supervisor N/A DONE/Time Supervisor N/A List emergency controls for how to deal with fires, spills or exposure to hazardous substances and/or emergency shutdown procedures 1. If a very large amount of cryogenic material like liquid nitrogen is spilled (> 1L), leave the area immediately and notify nearby workers to also leave. Consult your supervisor. No particular clean up is necessary, but it is important to allow the gas to dissipate before returning to work. (time required depends on how well ventilated the area is, most likely 5-10 min, but longer for less ventilated spaces) 2. Any large spills (>1L) or incidents resulting in injury must be reported to your supervisor immediately and via the online incident report form within 24 h. Near misses (dangerous situations not leading to an incident) should also be reported. For fainting/suffocation, apply first aid and seek medical advice. 3. For cold burns, run water (room temperature or slightly warmer) to gently warm the affected area for 15 mins and seek further medical help if required. REVIEW Scheduled review date 1 year 2 years 3 years Are control measures in place (YES/NO) Are controls eliminating or minimizing the risk (YES/NO) Are there any new problems with the risk (YES/NO) Reviewed by: Actual Review date: YES MINIMISING NO

5 Risk Matrix. RISK ASSESSMENT FORM

6 In signing this section the assessor agrees that the following persons are competent in following this Risk Assessment. Name Signature Date Competent Name Assessor/Authoriser of Assessor/Authoriser signature Page 6