Low Oxygen & Cryogen Emergencies

 Asphyxiation – If you know or suspect a colleague is suffering from asphyxiation due to a low oxygen emergency then call Security on the emergency hotline (222) from any internal phone and ask them to call for the emergency services.

Oxygen depletion alarms

If a laboratory oxygen depletion alarm sounds while you are working inside, all persons should evacuate the area immediately;

• Prevent others from entering the laboratory.
• Do not re-enter until:
  • the alarm has stopped sounding
  • the displayed oxygen level has returned to normal
• Report the incident to the laboratory manager, Department Safety Officer and the Technical Services Manager. Normal work should not resume until the cause of the alarm has been investigated.

If you are in the vicinity and discover that a laboratory oxygen depletion alarm is sounding:

• Notify the laboratory manager, Department Safety Officer and the Technical Services Manager. If they are not available, inform Security on 222.
• Prevent others from entering the area.

Spills and/or Vessel failure

In the event of a large spill of cryogenic liquid, or the failure of a pressure vessel storing cryogenic gas, all persons should evacuate the room immediately.

• Prevent others from entering the laboratory.
• Report the incident to the laboratory manager, Department Safety Officer and the Technical Services Manager. Work with cryogens should not resume until the cause of the spillage has been investigated.

Direct Exposure to cryogenic liquid/gas

Small exposure can be treated as burns with tepid water:

• Run the affected area under tepid water for 15 minutes.
• Contact a department first aider or Security (222) if they are not available.
• Seek medical assistance for large exposures which cover an area of skin greater than a 50p coin.