Labor & Industries (L&I), Washington State

Anhydrous Ammonia Chapter 296-826, WAC

Effective Date: 09/01/06

WAC 296-826-200 Employee Safety

For printing

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY:

To protect employees who use, handle, store, distribute, or transport anhydrous ammonia

Personal protective equipment (PPE)	WAC 296-826-20005
Training	WAC 296-826-20010
Chemical reactions	WAC 296-826-20015
Emergencies	WAC 296-826-20020

WAC 296-826-20005

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

You must

• Provide the following PPE, at no cost to employees, all stationary storage installations:
  • -Two respirators in readily accessible locations as required by WAC 296-842, Respirators
  • -One pair of protective gloves, boots, pants, a protective slicker, and a jacket made of:
    • Rubber
      or
    • Other material that can't be penetrated by ammonia.
  • -Tight fitting vented goggles and one full face shield.
  • -An easily accessible shower or 50 gallons of clean water in an open top container.
• Equip tank motor vehicles with all of the following equipment for emergency purposes:
  • -At least 5 gallons of water to flush liquid ammonia from skin or eyes.
  • -Respiratory equipment suitable for anhydrous ammonia as required by Chapter 296-842 WAC, Respirators
  • -A pair of protective gloves made of neoprene rubber or other material that can't be penetrated by ammonia.
  • -Tight fitting goggles and a full face shield

Note: Additional safety equipment is recommended when more than one employee is present.

 

WAC 296-826-20010

Training

You must

• Train employees who handle ammonia on all of the following:
  • -Safe operating practices
  • -Emergency procedures
  • -Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

 

WAC 296-826-20015

Chemical reactions

You must

• Prohibit the use of ammonia with other chemicals unless the possible reactions have been adequately investigated.

Note: Under some circumstances, ammonia and ammonium compounds can form explosive products with other chemicals. For additional information, refer to the following: -Section 491M "Manual on Hazardous Chemical Reactions " of the NFPA, 1969 Edition; and -CG-388, the "Chemical Data Guide for Bulk Shipment by Water," 1969

WAC 296-826-20020

Emergencies

You must

• Make sure only trained personnel designated to respond if a leak occurs in an ammonia system do all of the following:
  • -Evacuate affected personnel to noncontaminated areas
  • -Shut off appropriate valves
  • -Put on all of the following PPE in concentrated ammonia atmospheres and in unknown concentrations of ammonia:
    • Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
    • A plastic or rubber suit
    • Gauntlet-type plastic or rubber gloves
• Make sure a physician treats all employees with eye injuries caused by liquid ammonia. In addition:
  • -Immediately flush liquid ammonia from skin or eyes continuously for a minimum of 15 minutes using water or eye wash solutions as required by the Safety and Health Core Rules First Aid, WAC 296-800-150.
  • -Don't use neutralizing solutions or ointments on affected areas.

Note: Drivers unable to stop a leak during transport should: -Move the vehicle to an isolated area -Use the current Department of Transportation (DOT) Emergency Response Guidebook to establish safe distances to isolate a leaking tank from the driver and the public.