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Ammonia Refrigeration Safety

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Never Underestimate the Risks

Ammonia leaks impact: Your health Your co-workers Nearby residents

Workers die every year from ammonia splash burns, gas suffocation

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What is Ammonia?

Ammonia is a colorless, pungent-smelling chemical

Gas in its normal state

Anhydrous ammonia – compressedinto liquid

Common in food, beverage plants, cold-storage facilities

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Compliance Landmines

OSHA and the EPA are on the prowl

OSHA’s safe exposure limit is now lower (from 50 ppm to 35 ppm)

OSHA investigates all fatalities, injuries

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Common Hazards

Top OSHA citations with ammonia:

– Lockout/tagout

– Fire safety

– Hazcom

– PPE/respirators

– Process safety

Not locking out ammonia pipes can trigger death

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Environmental Dangers

Clean Air Act says repairs are mandatory

EPA’s trigger rates:

– Commercial refrigeration – 35%

– Industrial refrigeration – 35%

– All other appliances – 15%

Leaks must be fixed in 30 days or EPA will fine us – big

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Community Needs Warning

Ammonia leaks over 500 pounds must be reported

30-minute deadline for calling local, state & national emergency response centers

First call for big leak – the fire department

Must file chemical inventory forms also

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Preventive Maintenance (pt. 1)

Maintenance for preventing leaks includes:

Qualified, trained personnel only

Listening for problems

Purging air from the system

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Preventive Maintenance (pt. 2)

Tanks, lines, valves & cylinders all labeled Install branch valves for outside lines Cap or plug drain valves, stub valves, etc. Keep maintenance logs Replace corroded piping

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Preventive Maintenance (pt. 3)

Review safety basics

Check at shut-off valves

Measure valves and stems for deterioration

Ensure PPE is available

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Poor Maintenance = Leaks

Poor maintenance leads to leaks: Static leaks Pressure leaks Vibration leaks Cumulative leaks Combination leaks

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Leak Detection

More than one way to detect leaks

Four options:

– Bubble detection

– Electronic detectors

– Ultrasonic detectors

– Halide torches

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Fluorescent Detection: No. 1 choice

Easy, fast effective

Use fluorescent dye and UV lamp

Ammonia leaks show up in bright yellow/green

New portable lamps make it even easier

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Responding to Leaks

Monitor air quality

Move people from area or outside

Call the fire department

Follow emergency response plan

Get needed medical attention

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Summary

Ammonia overexposure can kill you

Non-compliance with OSHA and the EPA can trigger deaths, injuries and major fines

Preventive maintenance stops leaks

Use your senses – look, listen and smell

Leave area where ammonia is leaking