Training activity information
Details
Complete liquid nitrogen safety training and safely top up liquid nitrogen dewars
Type
Entrustable training activity (ETA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee repeatedly, consistently, and effectively over time, in a range of situations. This may include occasions where the trainee has not successfully achieved the outcome of the activity themselves. For example, because it was not appropriate to undertake the task in the circumstances or the trainees recognised their own limitations and sought help or advice to ensure the activity reached an appropriate conclusion.
Reflection at multiple timepoints on the trainee learning journey for this activity.
Considerations
- Health and safety requirements
- Role in maintaining patient safety
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
What does success look like?
- Identify what is expected of you in relation to completing liquid nitrogen safety training and safely topping up liquid nitrogen dewars.
- Consider how the learning outcomes apply, specifically in relation to practicing in accordance with quality management and regulatory standards and demonstrating safe and effective practice, minimising risk.
- Discuss with your Training Officer to gain clarity of what is expected of you in relation to the specific safety protocols and the process for safely topping up dewars.
What is your prior experience of this activity?
- Think about what you already know about the hazards associated with liquid nitrogen and the necessary safety precautions.
- Consider possible challenges you might face during the activity, such as managing the tank, ensuring personal safety, or dealing with spills.
- Recognise the scope of your own practice for this activity i.e. know when you will need to seek advice or help, and from whom. You will need to seek advice from your Training Officer when required, for example, if a spill occurs or safety equipment is compromised.
- Acknowledge how you feel about working with liquid nitrogen and the associated safety requirements.
What do you anticipate you will learn from the experience?
- Consider the specific skills you want to develop, such as safe handling of liquid nitrogen, understanding safety equipment (e.g., PPE), and performing the topping-up procedure correctly.
- Identify the specific insights you hope to gain into the critical importance of liquid nitrogen safety for both personnel and the integrity of stored gametes and embryos.
What additional considerations do you need to make?
- Consult actions identified following previous experiences of safety training or experiences with liquid nitrogen.
- Identify important information you need to consider before embarking on the activity, such as the location of safety equipment, emergency procedures, or volume requirements for the dewars.
- Working under supervision.
In action
Is anything unexpected occurring?
- Are you noticing anything surprising or different from what you anticipate whilst topping up the liquid nitrogen dewars?
- Are you encountering situations such as:
- An unexpected equipment malfunction (e.g., a valve issue) or a significant liquid nitrogen spill occurs?
- The environment changes unexpectedly (e.g., ventilation issue or excessive vapour clouds the work area)?
How are you reacting to the unexpected development?
- How is this impacting your actions? For example, are you responding to the situation appropriately? Are you immediately adjusting your actions to ensure safety (e.g., moving away, stopping the flow)?
- Consider the steps you are taking in the moment, such as checking the PPE or maintaining awareness of your surroundings and the transfer process.
- How are you feeling in that moment? For instance, are you feeling heightened awareness due to the inherent risks? Is it affecting your confidence in maintaining safe working practices?
What is the conclusion or outcome?
- Identify how you are working within your scope of practice. For example, did you safely and successfully complete the topping-up procedure? Or are you needing support because a significant spill occurs or safety equipment is compromised requiring immediate assistance and adherence to emergency protocols?
- What are you learning as a result of the unexpected development? For example, are you gaining insight into managing specific tank-related emergencies or refining the execution of the safety protocols in the moment?
On action
What happened?
- Begin by summarising the key steps you took when safely topping up the liquid nitrogen dewar.
- Consider specific events, actions, or interactions which felt important, such as meticulous checking of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and final dewar level.
- Include any ‘reflect-in-action’ moments where you had to adapt to the situation as it unfolded, for instance, immediately stopping the flow and stepping back when excessive vapour obscured the view.
- How did you feel during this experience, e.g., acutely aware of the safety requirements for working with liquid nitrogen?
How has this experience contributed to your developing practice?
- Identify what learning you can take from this experience regarding liquid nitrogen safety protocols and safe handling procedures. What strengths did you demonstrate, e.g., strict adherence to safety guidelines and correct use of PPE?
- What skills and/or knowledge gaps were evident, e.g., unfamiliarity with specific emergency protocols for managing a large spill?
- Compare this experience against previous engagement with similar activities – were any previously identified actions for development achieved? Has your practice improved in managing the physical transfer process?
- Identify any challenges you experienced, such as equipment stiffness or unexpected vapour, and how you reacted to this. This might include needing to seek advice or clarification on scope of practice regarding recognising a situation where you needed to stop and escalate, and how you reacted to this.
What will you take from the experience moving forward?
- Identify the actions or ‘next steps’ you will now take to support the assimilation of what you have learnt, including from any feedback you have received, with regards to improving the robustness of pre-transfer equipment checks.
- What will you do differently next time you approach topping up liquid nitrogen, for instance, by proactively confirming the integrity of the transfer hose and coupling prior to initiating the top-up?
- Do you need to practise any aspect of the activity further, such as specific emergency procedures or key learning outcomes related to practising in accordance with quality management standards.
Beyond action
Have you revisited the experiences?
- How have your subsequent experiences of working with or near liquid nitrogen since completing this specific training activity led you to revisit your initial approach or decisions during that activity? For example, how an instance where a subsequent emergency liquid nitrogen transfer requiring rapid assessment of safety hazards forced you to re-evaluate the diligence of your adherence to safety protocols and personal protective equipment (PPE) checks during your first attempt at this training activity.
- Considering what you understand about specific hazards associated with LN2, regulatory standards, and emergency protocols now, were the actions or considerations you identified after your initial reflection on this training activity sufficient? How have you since implemented or adapted improvements in your safety protocols and practices related to handling liquid nitrogen based on further learning and experiences? For example, how you proactively integrated observable behaviours and practices related to safety protocols and personal protective equipment into your routine practice based on further learning.
- Has discussing LN2 safety or emergency cryogen handling or the criticality of strict safety protocols with colleagues, peers, or supervisors changed how you now view your initial experience in this training activity? For example, how professional storytelling with a senior colleague about a near-miss involving excessive LN2 vapour refined your understanding of the critical nature of vigilant safety management during routine top-up procedures.
How have these experiences impacted upon current practice?
- How has the learning from this initial training activity, in combination with subsequent LN2 handling experiences, contributed to your overall confidence and ability in cryogen safety management, particularly in preparing for assessments like DOPS or OCEs? For example, how your accumulated knowledge gained from this training activity about LN2 safety now enables you to confidently demonstrate the correct use of PPE and adherence to safety protocols when performing procedures involving cryogens during observed ‘in-person’ assessments.
- How has reflecting back on this specific training activity, combined with everything you’ve learned since, shaped your current approach to safety protocols when working in the laboratory environment? How does this evolved understanding help you identify when something is beyond your scope of practice or requires escalation? For example, how your evolved approach means you now routinely seek advice from your Training Officer immediately if a spill occurs or safety equipment is compromised, recognising that handling cryogens involves inherent risks that require strict escalation and adherence to safety protocols.
- Looking holistically at your training journey, how has this initial LN2 safety experience, revisited with your current perspective, contributed to your development in meeting the learning outcomes related to practising in accordance with quality management and regulatory standards and demonstrating safe and effective practice, minimising risk? For example, how this foundational experience has supported your development in risk awareness, adherence to safety protocols, and understanding of hazardous materials handling, skills crucial for ensuring personnel safety and maintaining the integrity of stored gametes and embryos.
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 2 |
Outcome
Practice in accordance with quality management and regulatory standards. |
| # 4 |
Outcome
Demonstrate safe and effective practice, minimising risk to all staff and patients. |