September 15, 2005

Anhydrous Equipment Needs Frequent Safety Inspections

Equipment used to apply anhydrous ammonia needs a continual safety check during the application season, according to a North Dakota State University safety expert.

“Faulty anhydrous ammonia equipment is a disaster just waiting to happen,” warns George Maher, NDSU Extension Service agricultural safety specialist. “The best place to start the inspections is right in your own shirt or jacket pocket.”

Everyone who is involved with the sale, service, transport or application of anhydrous ammonia should carry a 5-ounce squirt bottle of clean water that’s immediately accessible. They’ll need the water to flush their eyes if they become exposed to anhydrous ammonia. Change the water daily to be sure it is fresh and not tainted with ammonia

The personal protective equipment kit on the nurse tank also is a necessity for anyone working around anhydrous ammonia. Always keep gloves and goggles in the safety kit on each nurse tank. The goggles must be unvented and the gloves must be approved for anhydrous ammonia work. Shop-type or chemical-vented goggles are not acceptable because ammonia will pass through the vents easily.

Maher also has this advice:

• Check the emergency water reservoir. Make sure it has 5 gallons of fresh, clean water. The hose must be able to deliver the water with a good flow. Change the water daily because it will absorb ammonia over time.
• Check for kinks, bruises, makeshift repairs, worn spots and abrasions in the nurse tank hose because it is a vital connection between the tank and field applicator. Also make sure the valve body and wheel are in good condition, the bleeder valve is usable and the hose has been bled of ammonia properly so it is safe to attach to the applicator.
• Make sure the field applicator is ready for use, the breakaway coupler works properly every time, the hoses to the injector knives have proper support with no droops or sags, and the applicator shut-off mechanism operates reliably.
• Transporting anhydrous ammonia in nurse tanks can be risky, especially when using tanks from a retail source. Before leaving the retail source, make sure the wagon assembly is roadworthy. Check whether safety chains are on the drawbar; the tires are inflated properly and in good condition; the wheels have all the lug nuts; the frame is straight and the welds are secure; and the side reflectors, Slow Moving Vehicle sign and other required decals are in place and clearly visible.

The person behind the wheel when moving a nurse tank on public roads is responsible for everything that happens with it.

“Using safe equipment and following safe practices are the only ways to minimize the risk of anhydrous ammonia exposure and injury,” Maher says.

###

Source: George Maher, (701) 231-8288, gmaher@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Ellen Crawford, (701) 231-5391, ecrawfor@ndsuext.nodak.edu

BeefTalk

Prairie Fare

Plains Folk

Hortiscope

Market Advisor:

Crop

Livestock

North Dakota State University
NDSU Agriculture Communication
NDSU Extension Service
ND Agricultural Experiment Station