What Happened?
Liquid nitrogen spilled on the left foot while the person was taking cell culture sample from the dewar.
What went right?
- lab coat, cryogenic gloves, face shield, closed-toe shoe, and long pants were worn while working
What should be done differently?
Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn: lab coat, cryogenic gloves, face shield, cryogenic shoe cover, long pants, closed-toe shoe
What corrective actions have been taken?
- Dewars were not overfilled
- Cryogenic shoe cover and apron should also be worn.
How can incidents like this be prevented?
- Always wear required PPE
- Always wear a cryogenic shoe cover before starting to work
- NO ALONE WORKING!
- Higher concentrations of nitrogen can cause ASPHYXIATION in a confined area.
- Direct skin or eye contact can cause CRYOGENIC BURNS, FROSTBITE, and EYE DAMAGE.