Never allow any unprotected part of your body to touch objects cooled by liquid nitrogen.
Such objects may stick fast to the skin and tear the flesh when you attempt to free yourself. Use tongs, preferably with insulated handles, to withdraw objects immersed in the liquid, and handle the object carefully.
Wear protective clothing
Protect your eyes with a face shield or safety goggles (safety glasses without side shields do not give adequate protection). Always wear cryo gloves when handling anything that is, or may have been, in immediate contact with liquid nitrogen. The gloves should fit loosely, so that they can be thrown off quickly if liquid should splash into them. When handling liquid in open containers, it is advisable to wear high-top shoes. Trousers (which should be cuff less if possible) should be worn outside the shoes.
Any kind of canvas shoes should be avoided because a liquid nitrogen spill can be taken up and absorbed by the canvas resulting in a far more severe burn than would occur if the feet were essentially open or bare! We don't advocate going barefoot when using liquid nitrogen, but the wearing of canvas shoes is not a safe practice either.
Use only containers designed for low-temperature liquids
Cryogenic containers are specifically designed and made of materials that can withstand the rapid changes and extreme temperature differences encountered in working with liquid nitrogen. Even these special containers should be filled slowly to minimize the internal stresses that occur when any material is cooled. Excessive internal stresses can damage the container.
Do not ever cover or plug the entrance opening of any liquid nitrogen Dewar’s. Do not use any stopper or other device that would interfere with venting of gas.
These cryogenic liquid containers are generally designed to operate with little or no internal pressure. Inadequate venting can result in excessive gas pressure which could damage or burst the container. Use only the loose-fitting neck tube core supplied or one of the approved accessories for closing the neck tube. Check the unit periodically to be sure that venting is