• Ryann E. Washburn (Ryann Fisher)
• Daniel Kuey (Dan) (CA)

This corporate procedure applies to all Members of the Workforce who participate in activities on Sandia-controlled premises involving the use or storage of simple asphyxiants, unless exempted below.

Specific activities that are exempted include ventilated spaces that are not confined spaces, where all pressure systems comply with Corporate Procedure ESH100.2.PS.1, Control Pressure Safety Hazards and meet one of the conditions listed below. Additional requirements for confined space hazards are contained in ESH100.2.IH.9, Enter Confined Spaces Safely.

• Compressed gas cylinders or manifolded gas cylinder distribution systems that contain 560 cubic feet or less of asphyxiant.
• Stand-alone, cryogenic liquid Dewars with a capacity of 230 liters or less of asphyxiant, which are only used for attended filling of smaller Dewars (e.g. under constant visual observation).
• Rooms or areas where the volume of the enclosed workspace is greater than 15 times the gas volume of the largest potential cryogenic liquid spill or gas release.
• Asphyxiant gas systems:
  • With flow restriction devices located downstream of the regulator restricting the flow to 5 standard cubic feet per minute, and
  • Are located in rooms or areas where the volume of the room in cubic feet is 7000 times greater than the sum of the operating flow rates (cubic feet per minute) of all equipment within the space.
• Asphyxiant gas systems that are directly discharged through hard plumbed supply systems and are exhausted into a redundant local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system.
• Asphyxiant gas systems that are directly discharged through hard plumbed supply systems that are vented outdoors and there is no potential for the asphyxiant gas to enter in a workspace.
• Asphyxiant gas systems that are used to supply equipment intermittently such as blow off guns, pneumatic actuators, and/or pneumatic isolators.
• Asphyxiant sources that are not in use and are tagged out of service.

Exceptions to, or deviations from this procedure must be approved through the Executive Policy Sponsor or Policy Area Manager, if delegated. Click here to view Contacts for Corporate Policies, Processes, and Procedures. See CG100.1.7, Request an Exception to a Policy, Process, or Procedure, for directions on how to obtain an exception to this procedure.

Granting or permitting exceptions or violations of policy, process, or procedure without authority, regardless of position or title, may be cause for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. Violating a policy, process, or procedure may be cause for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: A printed copy of this document may not be the document currently in effect. The official version is located on the Sandia National Laboratories Sandia Restricted Network (SRN).

This procedure describes requirements for activities involving the use or storage of cryogens, compressed gases, or other materials that may contribute to a potentially asphyxiating environment.

Training

Asphyxiating Environments

Oxygen Monitors, Alarms, and Warning Signs

Guidance

• Example Standard Operating Procedure for Oxygen Deficiency Alarm Response

Sign

• SF 2001-ASP, Asphyxiation Hazard Warning Sign.

• 10 CFR 851, Worker Safety and Health Program

Process

• ESH100.2, Analyze and Control Hazards.

Procedures

• ESH100.2.IH.4, Evaluate and Control Chemical Hazards.
• ESH100.2.IH.9, Enter Confined Spaces Safely.
• ESH100.2.IS.18, Handle Cryogenic Fluids Safely.
• ESH100.2.PS.1, Control Pressure Safety Hazards.