Posted By jess33 Hi All, I would very much appreciate help on this one. Scenario.. We have an analytical lab where liquid nitrogen is used, therefore there is potential for Oxygen depletion. Oxygen depletion sensors and alarms have already been fitted. Just wondering about system for emergency rescue. Would we be required to ensure that are BA escape sets available, personnel trained in use etc?. Would the rescue plan need to go as far as ensuring we have trained BA rescue personnel?. I presume ring 999 is not enough. Any advice much appreciated. Many thanks

Posted By John Donaldson Jess, Unless you have identified that you would get a sudden catastrophic failure of your nitrogen system I think it unlikely that you would need a rescue team. Your oxygen depletion alarms should give ample warning of the need to evacuate the area or not to enter the area if a leak occurred while the laboratory was unoccupied. We use nitrogen in a number of out laboratories, but when we have done calculations on the possibility of a nitrogen dewer overturning, we have found that the likely oxygen depletion would not significantly deplete the oxygen levels. To my knowledge there has only been one death in a laboratory situation in the UK and that was some years ago in Scotland and involved significant volumes of nitrogen in a basement room.

Posted By Paul Leadbetter Look here for incidents, some fatal: http://www.adm.monash.ed...tion-liquid-nitrogen.pdf Paul

Posted By Jane Blunt The condensation of liquid oxygen is a well known problem. Fortunately you can see it because liquid oxygen is blue! The liquid that dribbles off the outside of the pipe when dispensing liquid nitrogen from large dewars is also rich in oxygen. Jane

Posted By Simon Heesom Jess Hi, have you considered that you will be subject to the Confined Spaces regulations, a lack of oxygen is a specified risk. you can get advice and training from Mines Rescue Service (used by the Fire & Rescue Service and Water Industry). Simon