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Safety and First Aid

It is extremely important to follow proper handling and safety procedures when working with anhydrous ammonia. Severe injury or even death can occur without proper care. View trailer unloading procedures as well for additional information.

First Aid

The best way to reduce risk of injury from anhydrous ammonia is to wear protective equipment and to know what to do in case of emergency. Always wear ventless goggles or a full-face shield, rubber gloves with a long cuff that can be rolled to catch drips and a long sleeved shirt. Non-rubber gloves made of ammonia-proof materials may also be acceptable. Never wear contact lenses around ammonia because the lenses collect the chemical and will intensify caustic effects. Always carry a personal water supply (6-8 ounces) in a squeeze bottle to use for instant first aid. Federal law requires at least 5 gallons of water be carried on vehicles transporting anhydrous ammonia.

The best first aid treatment for anhydrous ammonia exposure is water - large amounts of it. Work fast! Flush all exposed areas for at least 15 minutes. If the nose or throat is exposed, flood the area repeatedly for 15 minutes, being careful not to choke the victim. Even a brief or mild exposure to the eyes requires irrigation for a minimum of 15 minutes. Remember to flush underneath the eyelids. Always begin flushing immediately. This reduces injuries, caused as soon as anhydrous ammonia contacts skin or clothes. If water is not available, use any nontoxic liquid such as cold coffee. Orange juice and other mildly acidic liquids will help neutralize the chemical Water from a nearby lake or pond also can be used until other water supplies are available.

Even with proper first aid, seek medical help as soon as possible. Explain the source of the injury so medical providers will not apply oils or ointments, as this treatment intensifies damage from burns. If you find someone in a continuous stream of anhydrous ammonia, do not attempt to rescue without proper equipment. Rescuers must wear a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and protective clothing. Always take care in removing a victim's clothing. Clothing could be frozen to the skin and removal could cause additional injury. Clothing frozen to the skin by ammonia can be loosened with liberal application of water.

Safety and First Aid

It is extremely important to follow proper handling and safety procedures when working with aqua ammonia. Severe injury or even death can occur without proper care. View trailer unloading procedures as well for additional information.

HEALTH HAZARDS

Aqua ammonia exerts a local irritant action. Strong solutions may cause tissue destruction on contact, whether acting on the eyes, mucous membranes, gastrointestinal mucosa or pulmonary tissue. Ammonia gas readily given off by aqua solution may cause irritation to the skin, eyes and respiratory mucosa. When aqua solution is ingested in large quantities, there is corrosive destruction of the mucosa of the pharynx, esophagus and stomach. Typical signs and symptoms of aqua ammonia ingestion include nausea, vomiting, pain in the throat and upper abdomen, cold clammy skin, rapid weak pulse, convulsions and collapse.

Concentrated aqua ammonia solutions, which remain in contact with the eyes, may cause ocular damage, which may result in prolonged visual disturbances or permanent scarring of the cornea. The consequences of skin contact with aqua ammonia solutions vary from relatively mild dermatitis to severe burns, depending upon the strength of the solution, length of contact and individual skin sensitivity.

HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS

Safety in handling aqua ammonia solution depends on the effectiveness of employee education, training and supervision. The education and training of the employees to work safely and to use the proper personal protective equipment and other safeguards is important. New employees should not be allowed to handle aqua until they have been properly instructed in handling procedures, the proper safety equipment needed and the location of the safety showers and eyewash stations. Supervisors should periodically schedule refresher courses for all employees, emphasizing handling aqua ammonia solutions according to methods outlined in operating procedures MSDS and other related safety information. Employees should be trained to report all suspected leaks or equipment failures as well as any signs or symptoms of illness.

Thorough inspection should be performed on equipment prior to handling aqua ammonia solutions. Employees should always be certain that all valves, piping and associated equipment are in proper working order and in good condition.

It is important that adequate ventilation be provided and maintained to keep concentration of ammonia as low as possible to protect employees in the work area. Aqua ammonia has a vapor pressure that is about equal to atmospheric pressure and must be stored in closed containers. The storage area should be cool, dry and well ventilated. Avoid ammonia vapor from pocketing under floors, roofs or similar structures. Ventilation systems will not be found necessary in most processes. Normal conditions in enclosed areas normally provide good natural ventilation, however, rooms or buildings that have insufficient natural ventilation may need mechanical ventilation.