January 4, 2006—Preventing the Uncontrolled Release of Anhydrous Ammonia at Loading Stations is the focus of a new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Safety and Health Information Bulletin.
The document outlines the potential for an uncontrolled anhydrous ammonia release during transfer operations at loading stations and other anhydrous ammonia systems/processes without certain safety mechanisms. It also shows examples of devices, work practices, and training that employers and workers can use to eliminate or reduce the likelihood of these incidents.
OSHAs Bismarck, North Dakota Area Office recently investigated an anhydrous ammonia release at a loading station in a grain handling facility. The release occurred when an employee pulled a nurse tank away from a fixed storage installation with transfer hoses still attached, said OSHA. Because the loading risers were not equipped with excess flow valves to limit the uncontrolled release of anhydrous ammonia, approximately four tons of anhydrous ammonia were released. As a result of the release, a grain facility employee driving the truck and a customer were hospitalized. The customer died while in the hospital, noted OSHA.
