OHS017
OHS Risk Assessment and
Control Form
Risk assessment completed by: Phil Peake
Staff/student number:
School/Unit:
Nephrology
Faculty/Division:
Medicine
Document number
RNitrogenRA
Initial Issue date
26-3.12
Current version
1.0
Current Version
Issue date: 26.3.12
Next review date
26.3.15
For additional information refer to the OHS Risk Assessment and Control Procedure, the OHS Risk Rating Procedure and the Hierarchy of Risk Controls.
Risk Assessment title: Handling liquid nitrogen
Step 1: Identify the activity
Safe handling of liquid nitrogen for freezing biological samples.


Liquid nitrogen is a cryogenic fluid and must be used safely to prevent injury to the user.
Liquid nitrogen dewars (containing samples) are stored in G4
1.
Appropriate personal protective equipment (gloves, glasses and long sleeve lab coat and fully closed shoes) is provided within the facility and must be worn prior to opening liquid nitrogen
dewar.
Lift lid upwards (lid should automatically move upwards).
Close lid. Remove PPE .
2.
3.
Activity takes place in roomG4
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Page 1 of 4
Risk Assessment and Control Form
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
Step 2: Identify who may be at risk by the activity

Staff and Students
Steps 3 to 7: Identify the hazards, risks, and rate the risks
1. An activity may be divided into tasks. For each task identify the hazards and associated risks.
2. List existing risk controls and determine a risk rating using the UNSW Risk Rating Procedure.
3. Additional risk controls may be required to achieve an acceptable level of risk. Re-rate the risk if additional risk controls used.
Tasks
Hazards
Associated risks
(Step 3)
(Step 4)
Risk rating with existing
controls *
Additional risk controls
required
Risk Rating with
additional controls *
(Step 5)
(Step 6)
(Step 7)
Existing risk controls
C
L
R
(Apply the hierarchy of
risk controls)
Temperature related –
extremely low
temperature of liquid
nitrogen can cause
severe burn like damage
to the skin, either via
direct contact or via
vapour.
Personal protective
equipment specific for
handling liquid nitrogen
must be worn (provided
in roomG4 near the
dewar).
2
D
L
Not required
Soft tissue damage: -
Temperature relateddamage to underlying
soft tissue- frost bite
Personal protective
equipment specific for
handling liquid nitrogen
must be worn (provided
in roomG4).
2
D
L
Not required
Shattering of materials
Liquid nitrogen that leaks
into cryovial may cause
explosion of vessel and
damage to face.
Personal protective
equipment specific for
handling liquid nitrogen
must be worn especially
the face shield to avoid
impalement with skin with
shattered vessels.
2
D
L
Not required
Handling of liquid nitrogen
Burns - skin
Handling of liquid nitrogen
Handling of liquid nitrogen
C
L
R
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Page 2 of 4
Risk Assessment and Control Form
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
Handling of liquid nitrogen
If not in a well ventilated
area, the level of oxygen
in the atmosphere can
decrease rapidly after a
spill, resulting in the risk
Vapour related
Oxygen sensor fitted
2
D
L
Not required
Air forced in by air
conditioner
of asphyxiation
* C = consequence
L = likelihood
R = risk rating
from the UNSW Risk Rating Procedure
Step 8 Documentation and supervisor approval
Completed by:Phil Peake
(signature)
26.3.12
Step 9: Implement the additional risk controls
identified
Indicate briefly what additional risk controls from Step 6 above were implemented, when and by whom.
Risk control:
Date:
Implemented by:
Risk control:
Date:
Implemented by:
Step 10: Monitor and review the risk controls
It is important to monitor risk controls and review risk assessments regularly. Review is required when there is a change in the process, relevant legal changes, and where a cause for concern has
arisen. Reviews could be scheduled on an annual basis. If the risk assessment has substantially changed a new risk assessment is warranted.
Review date:
Reviewed by:
Authorised by:
Review date:
Reviewed by:
Authorised by:
Documentation
It is a requirement that legal and advisory documentation that supports this risk assessment be listed. Such documentation includes Acts, Regulations, Australian Standards and Codes of Practice,
where applicable.
NSW OHS Act 2000
NSW OHS Regulation 2001
Australia Dangerous Goods Code
Code of Practice for the Labelling of Workplace Substances
AS/NZS 2243.2:2006. Safety in laboratories. Part 2: Chemical aspects
AS/NZS 2161.1:2000 Occupational Protective Gloves – Selection, Use and Maintenance
AS/NZS 1336:1997 Recommended Practices for Occupational Eye Protection
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Page 3 of 4
Risk Assessment and Control Form
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 2.6, 16/07/2008
UNSW Concise OHS Risk Rating Table
OHS697
What you need to do
1. Consider what can go wrong that can hurt someone
2. Determine what the most likely outcome would be - Consequences
3. Determine how likely those consequences are - Likelihood
4. Calculate the risk rating
5. Required action
CONSEQUENCES:
Severe
Major
Moderate
Minor
Insignificant
LIKELIHOOD:
Almost certain
Likely
Possible
Unlikely
Rare
How severely could someone be hurt
death or permanent disability to one or more persons
hospital admission required
medical treatment required
first aid required
injuries not requiring first aid
How likely are those consequences?
expected to occur in most circumstances
will probably occur in most circumstances
could occur at some time
is not likely to occur in normal circumstances
may occur only in exceptional circumstances
CONSEQUENCES
Insignificant
1
Minor
2
Moderate
3
Major
4
Severe
5
M
H
H
VH
VH
M
M
H
H
VH
Possible
C
L
M
H
H
VH
Unlikely
D
L
L
M
M
H
Rare
E
L
L
M
M
M
LIKELIHOOD
Almost
certain
A
Likely
B
Risk level
Very high
High
Medium
Low
Required action
Act immediately:
The proposed task or process activity must not proceed. Steps must be taken to lower the risk level to as
low as reasonably practicable using the hierarchy of risk controls.
Act today:
The proposed activity can only proceed, provided that:
(i) the risk level has been reduced to as low as reasonably practicable using the hierarchy of
risk controls;
(ii) the risk controls must include those identified in legislation, Australian Standards, Codes of
Practice etc.
(iii) the risk assessment has been reviewed and approved by the Supervisor and
(iv) a Safe Working Procedure or Safe Work Method has been prepared.
(v) The supervisor must review and document the effectiveness of the implemented risk
controls.
Act this week:
The proposed task or process can proceed, provided that:
(i) the risk level has been reduced to as low as reasonably practicable using the hierarchy of
risk controls;
(ii) the risk assessment has been reviewed and approved by the Supervisor and
(iii) a Safe Working Procedure or Safe Work Method has been prepared.
Act this month:
Managed by local documented routine procedures which must include application of the hierarchy of
controls.
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Page 4 of 4
UNSW Concise OHS Risk Rating Table
Effective date: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 2.6,16/07/2008