Cryogenic Safety in the United States Antarctic Program

Abstract

The United States Antarctic Program (USAP) has experienced an increase in the use of cryogenic fluids over the past decade. This increased use requires that the USAP purchase or lease suitable equipment, retain competent personnel, provide training to increase the knowledge base and find adequate storage for the inventory of equipment.

Safety is extremely important to the USAP because of the remote location of the work. Antarctica remains as a lonely reminder that accidents do happen and that help may not be immediately available. Communication between remote stations often relies on radio or electronic mail. The geographic location adds long flight times to travel between these stations and the rest of the general population. Most of the safety aspects of the USAP are common to any other typical research program in a typical laboratory setting. The USAP also faces unexpected safety problems not generally encountered elsewhere.