Business Unit: Medical School Stores	Location(s) of Activity: Dock outside A1953	Risk Assessment Ref: ACT RA 510 MSSRA02/22
Activity Title: Liquid Nitrogen – LN2 storage area
Activity Outline: · Dispensing of Liquid Nitrogen and filling of dewars.
Those at risk / affected parties: Staff members; students; contractors/delivery personnel.
Risk Assessor Name: Chris Coleman	Signature:		Date: 21/10/22
Responsible person / Line Manager Name: Kishan Jassi	Signature:		Date:
Checked and approved by
Master Risk Assessment Reference where applicable:	Related procedure references or links: SOP LN01 – Decanting of liquid nitrogen
Review Period: October 2024

What are the hazards?	List the harm associated with the hazard	Risk Evaluation without controls in place High/Med/Low	What control measures are, or will be put, in place to control the risk? List all elimination, substitution, engineering and/or administrative controls	Risk Evaluation with controls in place High/Med/Low
Expansion of liquid nitrogen into gas – displacement of oxygen.	Asphyxiation resulting in impaired judgement, dizziness, fainting, breathing discomfort, nausea, vomiting, unconsciousness or death.	Medium	· Assessed by Safety Office that sufficient natural ventilation exists through the tank being located outside (protected by a mesh cage). · Maintain awareness and exercise caution during filling if parked vehicles are at the dock: vapour may drift into the cargo area of enclosed vehicles.	Low
Escape of liquid - Exposure to cold temperature.	Frostbite, cold burns, tissue damage, damage to delicate tissue (e.g. eyes).	High	· Personnel correctly trained and competent in use of LN2 dispensing equipment. · Key for the nitrogen cage held by MSS and only issued to authorised users. · Use of correct P.P.E as provided including cold store gloves with knitted wrist, full-face visor, lab coat, non-absorbent apron, long trousers that enclose the shoe opening and wearing of closed and appropriate footwear (not open toed e.g. sandals)	Low
Collision/Falling of dewars from dock edge.	Frostbite, cold burns, tissue damage, damage to delicate tissue (e.g. eyes).	Medium	· Restrain movement of the compound gates by placing the drop bolts in the holes provided. · Keep dewars away from dock edge.	Low
Other operations in the immediate area.	Frostbite, cold burns, tissue damage, damage to delicate tissue (e.g. eyes).	Medium	· If personnel are already in the area collecting or delivering gas cylinders, filling must wait until the area is clear. · Maintain an awareness of others in the area.	Low
Exposure to Coronavirus through being in close contact with others or picking up virus from contaminated surfaces	Infection with corona virus and mild -major respiratory illness	Medium	· Face covering is voluntary and of individual choice. · Face covering is recommended in multiple occupancy-closed spaces with poor ventilation. · Wash hands regularly and thoroughly following hand wash procedure technique for 20 seconds with soap and water. · Avoid contact with others if you have symptoms suggestive of an infectious disease · Avoid sharing lab coats · Clean before and after each use, when sharing face shields/safety googles. · Maintain good general cleanliness.	Low

Justification for selection of controls

The natural ventilation of the outside location discounts the need for an oxygen monitor.

Additional Requirements (if not recorded elsewhere)

First Aid	Local access to first aid facilities and running water.
Waste handling
Emergency	Close proximity to A&E (Accident and Emergency).
Training, supervision and competency	Users required to have undertaken appropriate training. Names of trained dispensers held on lists to verify competency before issue of the key to the facility.
Other	Please note that school risk assessments for the moving of dewars may require the wearing of safety shoes.

Competency Record

Name of worker

Measure of competency

Assessor comments

Competent to perform activity Y/N?

Signature (Worker)

Signature (Assessor)

Date

Guidance on completing the form

This form may be used to record the risk assessment for any University activity whether that be lab or workshop-based, an event, on or off-site working, etc. Separate templates exist for Biological work, Laser work and Fieldwork.

Only complete a risk assessment if you have a good understanding of the activity being assessed and you have been instructed in the principles of carrying out a risk assessment (refer to your Business Unit arrangements on risk assessments).

§ Responsible Person

The manager who is responsible for the activity should approve the risk assessment, this indicates they agree the risk assessment is sufficiently detailed, they agree the control measures are appropriate and will be implemented and they authorise the work to commence. The Responsible Person may be a PI in the academic setting or a local line manager or head of section in non-academic sections of Schools/Faculties and Professional Services.

§ Those at risk / affected parties

Identify individuals or groups of people who might be affected by the Hazard. Besides staff and students consider visitors, members of the publics, volunteers and others who could be affected.

§ What are the hazards?

The definition of a Hazard is the potential for something to cause harm, e.g. chemicals, radiation, lasers, fire. In the Hazards column, list the hazards which could reasonably be expected to result in significant harm.

§ List the harm associated with the hazard

For each hazard, there may be one or more types of harm that could occur. For example, working with cryogenic substances - harm may be asphyxiation, cold burns or fire/explosion and each is likely to require different control measures to be implemented. It is recommended each is given a separate line on the form.

§ Risk Evaluation – High (H), Medium (M) or Low (L)

Decide whether the hazard presents a high, medium or low risk, based upon your knowledge of the severity of harm, frequency of activity and number and nature of the people involved. This is subjective which is why you must have good knowledge of the activity in order to undertake the risk assessment. Hazards that remain high risk once evaluated after control measures are put in place, must not proceed without further consideration.

§ What control measures are, or will be put, in place:

List what is, or will be put in place to reduce the likelihood of harm or make any harm less serious. These precautions should meet legal standards, represent good practice and reduce risk as far as reasonably practicable. They should also take into account the hierarchy of control and favour elimination, substitution, engineering methods over administrative controls. Fundamentally, ensure the risks are reduced so far as is reasonably practicable.

§ Review Period:

The University advises that all risk assessments are revised every two years to ensure validity. For activities undergoing change, consider a shorter timeframe for review. For lower risk activities, you may consider a longer timeframe. Comply with your Business Unit arrangements.

§ Justification for selection of controls

In brief, the hierarchy of control in terms of robustness is: (1) Elimination (2) Substituion (3) Engineering Control (4) Administrative Control. If not implementing a higher level of control, justify the reasons why a low level is appropriate in the situation.

§ Areas for additional consideration in your risk assessment or associated procedures

Consider training and supervision, manual handling, waste disposal, first aid, emergency situations such as spillage, access to medical assistance. It may be more appropriate for these to be covered as part of a safe working procedure or standard operating procedure.