NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
September 30, 1999
Editors: This is the first in a series of six articles on anhydrous ammonia safety.
Applying anhydrous ammonia fertilizer is a familiar fall routine that can turn deadly with faulty equipment.
"All of the equipment used in the application of anhydrous ammonia needs to be in good condition. Faulty anhydrous ammonia equipment is a disaster just waiting to happen," says George Maher, an agricultural safety specialist with the North Dakota State University Extension Service.
Protective and emergency equipment, as well as hoses, connections and other mechanical parts, need a thorough inspection at the start of the season and periodical checks during use, Maher says.
"The personal protective equipment for handling and applying ammonia is a good place to start the inspections," he says. Each nurse tank should have a safety kit containing gloves and goggles. Gloves must be approved for anhydrous ammonia work and the goggles must be the unvented, ammonia-type. Shop-type goggles are not acceptable because ammonia will easily pass through the vents.
Next, inspect the five-gallon emergency water reservoir on the nurse tank. The reservoir should always be full of fresh, clean water. The hose must deliver the water with a good flow. Water should be changed daily because it can absorb ammonia over time.
"The nurse tank hose is a vital connection between the tank and your field applicator," Maher notes. "Is the hose in good condition? It shouldn't have any kinks, bruises, makeshift repairs, worn spots, or abrasions. Is the valve body and valve wheel in good condition? Is the bleeder valve usable? Has the hose been bled of ammonia properly so it will be safe for you to attach to the applicator? All of these hose parts will be very important when it comes to attaching the tank to your field applicator."
Everyone involved with the sale, service, transport or application of anhydrous ammonia should carry a 5-ounce squirt bottle of water. "This water is the first response in case of an accident," Maher says. "Change the water daily. If it's tainted with ammonia, it'll only add insult to injury."
Inspect the field applicator next. Pay particular attention to the breakaway coupler, which will prevent an uncontrolled release of ammonia if the tank is accidently uncoupled from the applicator. Make sure hoses to the injector knives are supported with no droops or sags. Check the applicator shutoff mechanism to make sure it is in good condition. Be certain reflectors and a slow moving vehicle sign are in place and clearly visible. Attach the applicator to the tractor with a hitch pin that has a safety clip. Finally, make sure the applicator tires are ready for fieldwork and road travel.
Maher notes that transporting anhydrous ammonia in nurse tanks is risky, especially when using tanks from a retail source.
"You rarely know who had the tank last and what kind of abuse it received," he says. "Before leaving the retail source, check the wagon assembly to be sure it is roadworthy. Do all wheels have all the lug nuts? Is the frame straight and are all the welds secure? Is the nurse tank properly marked with the slow moving vehicle sign and other required decals? Are there safety chains on the drawbar? Is there a safety clip for the hitch pin? Are the tires properly inflated and in good condition? The person behind the wheel when a nurse tank is being moved on public roads is completely responsible for everything that happens with it."
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Source: George Maher (701) 231-8288
Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629