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April
28, 2005
Move Nurse
Tanks on the Road Safely
Moving anhydrous ammonia
nurse tanks on public roads is risky, a North Dakota State University
safety expert warns.
The ammonia in the
tank is highly pressurized, which means an uncontrolled release may result
in an accident, according to George Maher, an NDSU Extension Service agricultural
safety specialist. It also means the person doing the driving is completely
responsible for what happens while the tank is on the road, he says. But
as soon as the nurse tank is in the field, the only people at risk are
those downwind and those working with it.
“Fortunately,
there are regulations in effect to reduce the risk when it is on the road,”
he says.
Here are some of those
regulations:
- Never pull more
than two anhydrous ammonia nurse tank wagons at a time with a pickup,
farm tractor or truck.
- The highest speed
for moving a nurse tank on any public road is 25 mph.
- Tanks can be moved
only between sunrise and sunset.
- A Slow Moving
Vehicle sign must be on the tank. Often the sign is painted on the rear
of the tank.
- Safety chains
must be attached when empty or full nurse tanks are moved on the road
at more than 15 mph, even with a tractor. If the hitch pin should work
out of the drawbar, the chains help keep the driver in control of the
nurse tank. The chains should be strong enough so they won't break if
the hitch pin comes out. Safety chains should allow turning without
binding. Always use a safety clip on the hitch pin.
- When pulling several
implements and nurse tanks together while moving from field to field,
the whole assembly, including the tanks, cannot be longer than 75 feet.
Long strings of implements can swerve from side to side while moving
down the road, which is extremely dangerous. A nurse tank will swerve
the most when it is bringing up the rear.
- Youngsters driving
a tractor or motor vehicle and pulling one or two nurse tanks must be
at least 14 years old and have a valid driver's license. They can move
nurse tanks only for their parents. Youths must have a valid driver’s
license and be 16 years old to transport a nurse tank for an employer.
- The paint and
labels on a nurse tank must be maintained. The words "ANHYDROUS
AMMONIA" must be displayed on both sides and front and rear in
green letters at least 2 inches high. The nurse tank also must display
"NON-FLAMMABLE GAS" or "1500" Department of Transportation
placards on both sides and front and back. In addition, the tank must
have the words “INHALATION HAZARD” on both sides in green
letters at least 2 inches high. All tank valves should be labeled to
indicate whether the opening is for liquid or vapor service. Other labels
that explain first aid procedures and safety instructions must be on
the tank as well.
“Give every
nurse tank a safety inspection before you take it from the bulk filling
facility,” Maher advises. “Be certain it has all the safety
equipment, including goggles, gloves and 5 gallons of clean water. They
must be there for your safety.”
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Source: George
Maher, 231-8288, gmaher@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Ellen Crawford, (701) 231-5391, ecrawfor@ndsuext.nodak.edu
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