A cryogenic liquid (sometimes referred to as a cryogen) is defined by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) as any liquid with a boiling point below 93K (-180°C or -240°F) at 1 atmosphere of pressure.
Not every institution requires the use of safety glasses under a face shield when handling cryogenic liquids. Were this person working at LBNL, they would be required to wear safety glasses.
The EHS Research Support Team provides training, educational information (see links below), and policy on the use of cryogenic liquids and any systems or equipment that utilize cryogenic liquids. Although the use of liquid nitrogen and other cryogenic liquids is quite common at Berkeley Lab and can seem safe and routine, there is still always the risk of serious injury from overpressure and explosion, cryogenic liquid burns, frostbite, or asphyxiation.
Please feel free to reach out to the cryogenic liquids subject matter expert at any time with questions, requests, or feedback on the cryogenic liquids program.
The Research Support Team of the EHS Division provides support with work planning for the safe handling of cryogenic liquids and review of cryogenic liquid equipment. This most commonly includes the use of liquid nitrogen, liquid argon, liquid helium, and dry ice. While dry ice is not technically a cryogenic liquid, it presents many of the same hazards, such as extremely cold temperatures and oxygen displacement. The cryogenic liquids subject matter expert reviews the use of all custom-built or modified cryogenic liquid equipment to ensure safety and performs oxygen deficiency hazard analysis for the storage of cryogenic liquids and dry ice in enclosed areas such as indoor laboratories and storage rooms.
The Health and Safety Manual chapter on Cryogenic Liquid Safety (Chapter 29) provides information on the Lab’s cryogenic liquid safety policies and procedures. You may also contact the cryogenic liquids subject matter expert at any time for help with oxygen deficiency hazard analysis, review of any work involving cryogenic liquids, or any general questions about cryogenic liquid use and safety.
Additional resources relating to cryogenic liquid safety are available at the following website: Cryogenic Liquid Safety