Cryogenic Labeling

Guide
Increased use of cryogens in industry requires
familiarity with labeling standards and the dangers
of cryogenic liquids.
 Cryogen Presence in Industrial Environments

A Cryogen is essentially a condensed gas that transforms into an extremely cold liquid
under pressure. Cryogenic liquids are classified as such when the boiling point is within
the range of -150°C (-238°F) to -273 °C (-460 °F). The extremely cold temperatures that
these condensed gases possess become an excellent and highly necessary tool for
storage and refrigeration purposes. They are also necessary in numerous chemical
processes within both industrial and laboratory facilities.

To reach a liquid state, the gases must be cooled to below room temperature before
undergoing pressurization into liquid form. There are numerous cryogenic liquids that
can be found being put to use, some of the common ones aside from liquid oxygen
include nitrogen, helium, methane, and argon.

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 Necessary Containment Vessels for Cryogenic Liquids

Cryogenic liquids must be stored in appropriately rated containers specifically made for
these very cold liquids. Those containers include:

Liquid dewar flasks have two compartments. One is for

cryogenic liquids such as helium or hydrogen in the outer
layer, while the inner compartment is for the other liquid
needing to be kept cold to prevent vaporization. Liquid dewar
flasks are not pressurized and have a loose-fitting plug or cap
that allows for vapor to vent and keeps moisture and air from
entering the flask.

Laboratory liquid dewar flasks are mostly used for temporary

storage or in labs. They have wide-mouthed openings with no
lids or covers that allow for venting gas.

Liquid cylinders can be made for liquids and/or gases and

are specifically designed for cryogenic substances. They
are outfitted with valves for pressure control and includes
equipment for dispensing the liquid.

Common Uses for Cryogenic Liquids

Cryogenic liquids can often be seen being used in the medical field, whether that be
in scientific labs or for preserving organs, storing blood, treating maladies, and even
cryopreserving cell tissues for invitro fertilization. Cryogenics can also be seen working
in food preservation and the transportation of gases—the list could go on. Regardless,
cryogens have become a useful tool in modern technology. For that reason, learning to
properly handle them is necessary for the safety of all those involved.

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 Cryogen Hazards and the Dangers Related to Exposure

Like any type of chemical kept in small or large quantities, there are varying degrees of
hazards that must be avoided to prevent death, injury, and property damage. For that
reason, being able to correctly identify the type of a specific cryogenic liquid, how it
should be stored, and where it should be stored is highly dependent on the properties
that cryogenic liquid holds. The three main categories include:

 Inert gases: examples of these kinds of condensed gases include nitrogen, helium, neon,
argon, and krypton. They usually do not react violently like other cryogenic liquids.

 Flammable gases: Hydrogen, methane, and liquified natural gas are a few examples of
cryogenic liquids that produce a flammable gas when evaporation occurs.

 Oxygen: Organic and non-combustible materials can suddenly become explosive in the
presence of liquid oxygen. Some reactive substances include sawdust and even asphalt.

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 Dangers Regarding Exposure

Exposure to these liquid cryogen chemicals poses several risks to the workers who are
handling them, the first one being extreme cold. Employees must avoid skin contact with
these cryogens as they have the potential to cause damage similar to thermal burns.
Contact with the eyes and/or skin is not only painful, but can cause permanent scarring,
lung damage, or blindness. Skin can even become stuck to metal and torn away upon
attempted removal.

Rapid vaporization due to malfunction of equipment or human error can quickly become
hazardous in confined spaces that have little or no ventilation. The risk of asphyxiation
due to the displacement of oxygen in the area is possible, or even a container explosion
can occur if a rapid expansion of the condensed liquid is allowed without a proper
venting/pressure relief system. To elaborate, at normal temperatures these liquids are
gaseous and naturally take up more space than in its condensed form. For example,
liquid nitrogen has an expansion ratio of 696:1 while neon has the highest expansion
ratio of 1,445:1.

Toxicity hazards are a concern when it comes to vapor or liquid exposure to these frigid
and concentrated liquids. However, toxicity varies from cryogen to cryogen, and those
details can be found in the cryogenic liquid’s required SDS.

Lastly, there are flammability hazards that come with some of the cryogenic liquids.
Lower explosive limits and upper explosive limits must be known to prevent fires from
occurring around cryogens such as methane, natural gas, and hydrogen.

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 Basic Safe Practices When Handling Cryogenic Liquids

Handling and working around cryogenic liquids is extremely dangerous if the correct
precautions or procedures are not taken. The best place to start with preventing
accidents is by utilizing visual communication tools to warn employees and others
nearby. Some visual communication options include:

 Danger and warning signs

 Labeling chemicals

 Labeling pipes and valves

 Marking walkways with industrial safety tape

[Link]/wall-sign/extremely-cold-liquid-nitrogen/

Clear and concise communication is essential to catch the attention of employees,

sufficiently remind them of the dangers, and to inform them of safety precautions such as
wearing PPE. All this can easily be achieved with the simple yet effective options above.

There are also great resources for verbal and written communication that should be
within fingertip reach of employees. Those sources include:

 Training opportunities for new hires and employees changing tasks, training reviews
should also be scheduled annually

 Safety meetings for managers and employees

 Chemical safety data sheets or SDSs that go over necessary precautions, processes,
safety equipment needed, and emergency information

 Emergency contact information for responders and the chemical manufacturer’s

information

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 Overall, visual, verbal, and written communication efforts are all great ways to protect
and inform employees in situations that involve cryogenic liquids. They are so useful
in fact that many of these aspects are required by OSHA to make sure employers are
following best practice methods.

Standard Housekeeping Elements for Cryogenic Liquid Storage

Along with the appropriate information posted on storage containers and around
cryogenic liquids, there are always basic safety actions, or housekeeping duties as
they are sometimes called, that prevent accidents. The following list are just some of
the aspects of cryogenic storage that must be checked frequently to ensure maximum
safety and productivity within the workplace.

 Read the SDSs and labels for all of the materials being worked with and know the
specific hazards

 Keep cryogens stored in their appropriate containers in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas
away from ignition sources and other incompatible chemicals

 Cryogen containers must be securely fastened in an upright position and never rolled,
dragged, dropped, or permitted to hit each other

 Ensure that pressure relief valves are working properly

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  Never tamper with safety devices on vessels, valves, or equipment

 Move containers in handcarts or other devices designed specifically for moving

cryogenic liquid vessels

 Fill containers only with the specific liquids they were designed for and make sure to
label each container and avoid overfilling it

 Proceed slowly when filling a container or inserting objects into a cryogen to minimize
boiling and splashing

 Wear the proper personal protective equipment for each of the jobs performed

 Know where all eyewash stations and safety showers are located

 Complete training on how to use all materials and equipment

 Know how to deal with emergencies regarding fires, leaks, or personal injury

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 Properly Labeling Cryogenic Chemicals

Correct labeling has the potential to save lives and property in emergency situations, not
just prevent them from occurring, as it imparts necessary information to first responders
as well as the employees involved in the accident. With that being said, containers, pipes,
and valves must be correctly marked with all the necessary information regarding that
cryogenic liquid and its hazards. To do that requires compliance with standards and
regulations that have been proven to effectively protect and alert workers. The regulations
and standards that an employer must be familiar with for cryogenic labeling include:

 OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard/GHS regulations

 The Compressed Gas Association’s CGA C-7 standard

 ANSI/ASME pipe marking standard A13.1

As long as these three sets of regulations are followed correctly, the employer will be
able to avoid fines from OSHA for safety negligence, and more importantly, keep their
workers safe from harm.

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 Essential Cryogenic Labeling Materials

Labeling cryogenic material cannot be done with standard labeling

supply since extremely cold temperatures will render the adhesive
useless. That’s why LabelTac® Cold Storage and Cryogenic Label
Supply are great alternatives.

LabelTac® Cold Storage Supply

is able to withstand temperatures
from -40°F to 215°F and can be
applied to surfaces at a minimum
of -10°F. Extremely durable, these
cold storage labels are also
rated for 5+ years outside in the
elements. This special material
is perfect for rack labeling and
labels in freezers and outside in
extremely cold weather.

LabelTac® Cryogenic Supply is even

more resilient to cold temperatures. With
a minimum application temperature of
50°F, the service temperature ranges
from -112°F to 176°F. This labeling
material is made to withstand cycled
exposure to cryogenic conditions and
autoclaving. With its thin profile, this
labeling material is perfect for small vials
in pharmaceutical environments involving
cryogenic temperatures.

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Maximizing Safety and Improving Hazard Prevention with Lean Methods

Labeling is a primary step in adding overall value to a process or product, even in

cryogenics. Labeling should be completed before the production process even begins
as efforts in labeling can be directly related to efficiency within operation flow. These
simple visual additions ensure the safety of workers, which in turn prevents disruptions
leading to delays in a production cycle. Delays can be caused by even minor accidents
since documentation of the occurrence may be required and changes may be necessary
to prevent further incidents of the same nature. Without labeling cryogenic liquids, initial
production delays will likely cascade into disarray for the rest of the process due to lack
of information—in this case lost time is equal to lost value in a product.

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 To help streamline processes and prevent downtime within facilities that use and store
cryogenic liquids, the addition of 5S will not only encourage labeling for safety reasons,
but also create a tidier and more organized workspace for employees and employers
alike. As a reminder, 5S has five steps that lead to the ideal working space, those are:

Sort – Go through all materials and only keep essential items needed
to fulfill tasks. This is the first step in ridding the area of clutter. Fire
and trip hazards are only some of the dangers that have the potential
to be removed in this step.

Set in Order – Everything must have its own designated

place. Try to place objects where tasks naturally become
easier and ergonomic for employees. Labels, industrial
printers, floor tape, signs, and other visual communication
tools are great to use in this step since employees will need
direction when it comes to putting objects back where they
belong.

Shine – Deep cleaning and maintaining a tidy work area is crucial

in this step. This is especially important in areas where cryogenic
liquids are stored. Keeping ice from forming on valves and other
cryogenic equipment will prevent container explosions and
equipment malfunction.

Standardize – This is where the first three steps of 5S are

recognized to then create rules and regular routines that
keep up with maintaining this new and improved working
environment.

Sustain – This last step involves shifting the work culture

to encourage and promote these changes to continue. Self-
discipline and participation go hand in hand with this last step of 5S.

Cryogenic Labeling Guide [Link]/guides | 1-866-777-1360

 The elements of 5S are further tightly integrated with the idea of hazard prevention and the
elimination of waste. In fact, the elimination of waste, specifically the eight wastes of Lean,
is one of many ways to directly prevent hazards from surfacing on the factory floor, and that
subsequently creates a more efficient and well-run facility. Those eight wastes include:

 Defects – Defects can be related directly to product but can also be found within poor
inspections and workmanship, supplier inconsistencies, and bad communication. All these
can lead to safety hazards due to lack of communication, customer complaints, and even
disrupt financial stability within a business.

 Overproduction – Overproduction comes down to mismanaging supply in production

flow and can lead to problems with over-staffing, supplying, and shipping, and can even
progress to levels of mistrust within the employee base.

 Waiting – This equates to monetary loss within the business since time equals money.

 Non-used employee talent – This essentially wastes the employee’s time when their skills
can be put to use elsewhere for more rewarding work. This waste can contribute to a high
turnover rate and employee dissatisfaction.

 Transportation – Again, here is an example of lost time and energy. Unneeded

transportation, whether it be within the facility or on the road, can pose some serious risks
including fatigue and other health related issues for employees regarding overexertion or
the lack of an ergonomic environment.

 Inventory – Excess inventory equates to less space for material and a lack of product
turnover. This becomes problematic because it drives up costs for storage as well as
sinking money into producing product that is not being sold as quickly as it should.

 Motion – This is another example of a situation where health hazards can be present. In
the case of cryogenic liquids, spending more time around them and having to move them is
inherently more hazardous than leaving them alone. Motion here should be limited and only
done when absolutely necessary.

 Excess processing – This means there are too many steps that do not add value to the
end product. Here the manufacturing facility must work to understand what is needed for
production and stick to that to generate value.

Cryogenic Labeling Guide [Link]/guides | 1-866-777-1360

The benefits of attempting to rid the facility of most of these wastes is an increase
in efficiency, an increase in profit, and in some cases a much safer environment for
employees. 5S and elements of Lean manufacturing are good places to start when
cryogenic liquids are involved in any facility as working with hazardous chemicals
require organized and clean environments for maximum safety.

Tools for Success

Having the right tools to label and maintain cryogenic liquid use and storage is essential.
The tools can involve anything from physical items such as labels, signs, and floor
marking to strategies and techniques such as 5S and other Lean tools that encourage
employees to participate in the upkeep of an area. No matter what is chosen to help
improve safety and organization, Creative Safety Supply is here to help with all of those
needs within any facility.

Communicate with LabelTac®

Communication, as mentioned before, is an integral part of any cryogenic storage facility’s

efforts in informing employees of hazards. Labels can be used for GHS and pipe marking,
or even marking where tools belong. Labeling will improve safety for workers with its extra
communicative abilities regarding hazards and process procedures, and even emergency
information in case of an accident. LabelTac® Industrial Label Printers provide the labeling
solutions needed for any and all cryogenic labeling initiatives. With 60 types of label
supply available, including cryogenic supply for cold temperatures, these printers make it
easy to establish visual communication within any facility.

Labels for everything.

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 Use SafetyTac® floor marking and signs as helpful reminders

Successfully coordinating work while also ensuring employee safety can be quite a
difficult task. However, with the help of SafetyTac® floor marking tape, the job couldn’t
be easier. This type of visual communication comes in a variety of sizes and colors
depending on the situation that it’s needed in. The durable tape works excellently in
harsh environments that involve heavy machinery. There is even a cold room version of
this tape available for areas involving cryogenic liquids.

[Link]/safetytac-floor-tape/

Cryogenic Labeling Guide [Link]/guides | 1-866-777-1360

Finish with 5S to create a tidy, organized, and safe environment

5S and the elimination of the eight wastes of Lean are great strategies to use in
environments involving cryogenic liquids. A facility using these techniques will be well
on their way to eliminating all unnecessary waste, which in turn also improves efficiency
and prevents accidents from occurring. Encourage a continuous improvement mindset
with 5S and Lean to create an ideal and safe workspace for all employees.

Summary and Final Tips

Becoming familiar with safety precautions around cryogenic materials is essential for
employee safety. For that reason, visual communication such as cryogenic labels, safety
tape, signs, and other indicators that alert employees of danger, are an immense help
for those working in the industry. Not only that, but also knowing basic housekeeping
measures that eliminate clutter and organize the space works well for preventing
emergency situations.

Some final tips for businesses will be better off working with cryogenics:

 Have plenty of visual cues regarding proper safety procedures

 Keep everything tidy and clean
 Keep up to date with all the relevant regulations and standards
 Use any type of Lean method that enables them to sustain company objectives and goals

Cryogens are known to be dangerous substances, employers must provide employees

with all necessary information to stay safe. In turn, employees also have responsibility
for their own well-being to take part in following those recommendations and
procedures put forth by employers.
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