There are two main reasons to provide on-the-job training for cryogenic liquids use. The first is to ensure that a new worker knows the proper procedures and how to use any equipment involved. The second reason for OJT is to ensure that a new worker has a solid understanding of the behavior of cryogenic liquids and equipment and processes used in the work so that the worker will not be injured. This resource aims to help those who give OJT to provide the best training and preparation possible, and also to help those who are new to working with cryogenic liquids know what they should expect from OJT.

Some groups find it useful to have very formalized, documented, and regimented OJT. This might involve a checklist, handouts to the new workers, or a sign-off process. Other groups prefer their OJT to be more flexible, with the training and guidance tailored to each individual. There may be no formal documents involved at all. The important thing is that OJT should prepare a new worker to safely perform the work without damaging the equipment or injuring themselves or others. The following outline provides a conceptual guide for how to provide adequate OJT for new workers.

For more information on OJT in general, visit the OJT Website.

General Guidance for Effective OJT

Assess Knowledge

Start by having an informal chat about the work and finding out more about the new worker’s past experience and any knowledge they may already have on the subject. This gives you a sense for how much depth to go into on various parts of the training.

Demonstrate and Explain

Once you have an idea of what your new worker already knows, it’s time to run them through the task(s). This can be done by demonstrating it for them in full (especially useful for more complicated tasks) or by doing a mock-up or “dry run” of the procedure (for simpler tasks). Fill in any knowledge gaps.

Discuss the Why and How

To make the information stick, and to ensure that the procedure is fully understood, it’s important to discuss why things are done the way they are, and how it all works. Especially when it comes to important safety controls, it’s important to stress why certain steps are essential and how they protect people. Try not to assume that the new worker already knows how to do certain parts of the procedure just because they’ve worked on similar projects before. You can always preface an explanation with, “You may already know this, but…”

Work Together

For more complicated or skill-based procedures, work directly with the new worker for a while as they build their skills. You can start by having them help you with the task, then slowly transition to helping them only when they need it. Pay close attention and be ready to intervene (kindly) when necessary!

There have now been two cryogenic liquid injuries that have occurred during On-the-Job Training at LBNL. Please, if you are at all uncomfortable with a situation, speak up, stop work, and step back. You may be preventing a serious injury.

Supervise, Supervise, Supervise

It’s easy to perform a training once and then send your new worker off to do it independently and forget about them. But even for simple tasks, it’s helpful to stay around while they’re starting to work independently. Supervision does not mean hovering over them and quizzing them on every move they make. Instead, it’s just about being nearby in case they need help, stopping by occasionally to ask how they’re doing, and ensuring that they know it’s ok to ask questions and that you don’t expect them to be perfect at it right away.