Safety gear includes heavy duty longsleeved shirtcoat, coveralls, rubber gloves, fullface respirator, and goggles that are chemical. In fact, some of the worst industrial explosions have occurred. Anhydrous ammonia is heavier than air and will settle in the low areas of the surrounding landscape, such as road ditches, sloughs and valleys. Practice safety when handling anhydrous ammonia pdf anhydrous ammonia safety tips pdf.
Anhydrous ammonia the main safety hazard of ammonia is that it is extremely corrosive to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Dec 19, 2017 anhydrous ammonia used in manufacturing, refrigeration and agriculture is a pungent, colorless and toxic gas or liquid that, when concentrated, is corrosive to human tissue upon contact, according to niosh. Product identifier and company identification product name. Ammonia gas dissolves easily in water to form ammonium hydroxide, a caustic solution and weak base. In pure form, it is known as anhydrous ammonia and is hygroscopic readily absorbs moisture. Anhydrous ammonia safety general the term ammonia in this booklet means anhydrous ammonia which has the molecular formula nh3. Despite all safety measures, loss of containment can occur as happened in the incident in potchefstroom, south africa, in 1973 where a horizontal cylindrical tank released 38 metric tons of anhydrous ammonia. Identify possible locations where ammonia in the workplace may be used. P202 do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood.
Use proper personal protective equipment when working with or around ammonia. See section 15 for information on equipment, pressure vessels and testing. Safety tips farmers and dealers should implement the following safety. Hazards of ammonia releases at ammonia refrigeration facilities accident prevention and response manual for anhydrous ammonia refrigeration system operators anhydrous ammonia theft additional ammonia safety resources. Where anhydrous ammonia is stored indoors, use electrical ventilating, lighting and material handling equipment with the appropriate electrical classification rating and. High concentrations of ammonia gas, liquid ammonia and solutions of ammonia can cause harm if inhaled or contacts eyes or skin. Dont handle or transfer anhydrous ammonia unless you have been properly trained. Material safety data sheet msds ammonia anhydrous cas no 7664 41 7 administration office.
Exposure to nh3 can result in severe freeze burns to skin, eyes, throat, sinuses, and lungs. Ammonia, anhydrous ammonia, ammonia n38, ammonia hg, ammonia lgc. Anhydrous ammonia used in manufacturing, refrigeration and agriculture is a pungent, colorless and toxic gas or liquid that, when concentrated, is corrosive to human tissue upon contact, according to niosh. Anhydrous ammonia reacts to form explosive products, mixtures or compounds with mercury, gold, silver, iodine, bromine, silver oxide and silver chloride. Anhydrous ammonia in liquid or gaseous form has a very strong attraction to water and moisture which targets bodily fluids such as those in the eyes, nose, mouth, respiratory tract, and perspiration and forms strong concentrations of aqueous ammonia that irritate body tissues and may cause injury. In coordination with the safety manager, develop and implement ammonia awareness training. Safe program svsd 0510 salinas valley ammonia safety day. It is used and stored under high pressures, which requires specially designed and wellmaintained equipment. It was installed before february 8, 1973, and was approved, tested, and installed in accordance with either the provisions of the american national standard for the storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia, k61. Anhydrous ammonia, safety standards for chapter 296826 wac.
Classified according to the unghs as adopted in the us hazard communication standard hcs. One cubic foot of anhydrous ammonia in a liquid state produces 855 cubic feet of ammonia gas. Safety requirements for the storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia fifth edition, 1999 nebraska state fire marshal title 153 n. The massive amounts of anhydrous ammonia that are stored in the fertilizer industry require a few extra levels of caution and safety. Anhydrous ammonia is the liquid form of pure ammonia gas, technically waterfree, and the substance. Ammonia is a commonly used chemical in commercial and household cleaners. The physicochemical nature and potential health hazards of anhydrous ammonia were described. Anhydrous ammonia has potentially explosive reactions with strong oxidizers. People in threatened areas must be warned of the release and advised to leave the area until the release has been controlled and the area is considered safe for reentry.
The course aims to equip farmers with the knowledge to ensure that anhydrous ammonia fertilizer is handled and transported safely. Ammonia us safety data sheet p4562 this sds conforms to u. Anhydrous ammonia safety and the farmer fertilizer canada. A more detailed description of the scr system has been provided in appendix a. Skin contact liquid anhydrous ammonia produces skin burns on contact. Play it safe around anhydrous ammonia anhydrous amm play it dd sept 2006 in accordance with the americans with disabilities act, an alternative form of communication is available upon request. As liquid anhydrous ammonia is released from its container into the air, it expands rapidly, forming a large cloud that acts like a heavierthanair gas for a period of time. Ammonia fatality ammonia safety and training institute. Accident prevention and response manual for anhydrous ammonia refrigeration system operators. Anhydrous ammonia theft this alert discusses the potential hazards of anhydrous ammonia releases caused by theft.
Anhydrous ammonia is attracted to water and at ambient temperature is mainly a gas. The sponsorship of these industryleading companies helps us continue our mission to make ammonia nh3 the safest managed hazardous material in the world. At room temperature, ammonia is a colorless, highly irritating gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. In industry, ammonia is used in petroleum refining, to manufacture pharmaceuticals, to disinfect water, and as a refrigerant. Health hazard information sheet ammonia refrigerant i. Practice safety when handling anhydrous ammonia minnesota. Information on the characteristics of ammonia required personal protective equipment working with the.
A list of the federal laws and regulations related to process safety, accident prevention, emergency planning, and. Ingestion is an unlikely route of exposure for a gas. Here are some quick tips to handle anhydrous ammonia safely, without getting injured. Additionally, epa has published a wide range of ammonia safetyrelated publications, including. Practice safety when handling anhydrous ammonia nh3. Anhydrous ammonia forms explosive mixtures in air with hydrocarbons, chlorine, fluorine and silver nitrate. We invite you to learn more about them and the benefits of becoming an asti sponsor. Anhydrous ammonia has the potential to be one of the most dangerous chemicals used in agriculture today. Because it does not contain water, it will absorb moisture from any source, including human tissues, causing severe burns. Key safety measures iiar and epa safety day information osha etools are standalone, interactive, webbased training tools on occupational safety and health topics.
Emergency response safety and health database ershdb. Jun 07, 2017 tips for safe handling of anhydrous ammonia. Anhydrous ammonia is also caustic and will burn your skin, it attacks mucous membranes and the eyes with a great deal of ferocity. It is a flammable, corrosive, colorless gas at standard temperature and pressure stp that has a pungent odor. Anhydrous ammonia safety and the farmer is provided by fertilizer canada, in partnership with the canadian association of agriretailers. The boiling point for anhydrous ammonia is 28 degrees f, frostbite can happen quickly. Nioshtic2 publications search 00226092 anhydrous ammonia. Ensure personnel are aware of work that has the potential of exposure to ammonia. You may need a pdf reader to view some of the files on this page. Anhydrous ammonia, safety standards for chapter 296826. Environmental protection agency region 7 chapter 2 is my facility a safety risk. It is highly advisable to use safety gear while handling anhydrous ammonia. Practice safety when handling anhydrous ammonia nh3 its no secret nh3 is hazardous anhydrous means without water.
Accident prevention and response manual for anhydrous ammonia refrigeration system operators u. Because nh3 contains little or no water it aggressively seeks out moisture, be it from the soil or your body. November 1, 2018 anhydrous ammonia page 1 of 9 safety data sheet section 1. In agriculture, ammonia can be used for crop processing, fertilizers, or as an antifungal treatment for citrus. Anhydrous ammonia nh3 is a hazardous chemical and must be dealt with carefully. It is stored under pressure to prevent vaporization so a large volume can be available for use. Safety procedures in case of contact with the chemical included flushing with water for at least 15 minutes and immediate medical attention following completion. The odor is the strongest safety feature of the product. Anhydrous ammonia safety data sheet tanner industries. The rules in this book are effective december 2015. Ammonia, anhydrous safety data sheet 302 08312017 en english sds ref 302 417 symptomsinjuries after ingestion. Anhydrous ammonia an overview sciencedirect topics.
At a concentration of only 50 parts per million ppm, one sniff tells what is in the air. This guideline for safety relates specifically to the mechanical functions and the associated equipment incorporated in the typical ammonia vaporcompression system. This alert discusses the potential hazards of anhydrous ammonia releases caused by theft. Bringing together leaders from industry and public safety organizations with hundreds of years of combined experience, asti provides safety management support. Direct contact of the eyes with liquid anhydrous ammonia will produce serious eye burns. Where anhydrous ammonia is stored indoors, use electrical ventilating, lighting and material handling equipment with the appropriate electrical classification rating and use only nonsparking tools.
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