Personal safety with ammonia – Great Plains NH3 Safety User Manual
Page 10
6
NH
3
Safety
Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
407-551M
2013-07-15
Personal Safety with Ammonia
▲ Carry personal flush water and wear Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) at all times when working with or near
the nurse tank, and when working with an applicator not
known to be completely purged. Minimum PPE is:
▲ Do not wear contact lenses when working with/near
anhydrous ammonia, nor with equipment that may contain
residual NH
3
liquid/gas. NH
3
can cause permanent eye
damage faster than you can remove contacts for eye
washing.
▲ Unfrozen wash water is required. Completely replace water
daily or more often in the 5 gallon (19 liter) tanks on nurse
tank cart and on implement. Wash water tanks may be
vented to allow the water out at the tap. The vent allows
NH
3
gas to enter and gradually form an ammonia solution.
▲ Respirator?
Full face piece respirator protection is required for workers
at fixed ammonia facilities, but not for field operations.
Should you choose to use a full face respirator when
operating the applicator, be aware of two risk factors:
• Carry a sealed squeeze container with 8-10 fluid
ounces (270 ml) of clean water or saline solution.
• Wear non-vented chemical splash goggles
specified for use with anhydrous ammonia. If you
wear glasses, make sure the goggles seal
completely. A vented full face mask provides extra
splash protection, but is not a substitute for primary
non-vented eye protection.
• Wear long cuff chemical gloves specified for use
with anhydrous ammonia. Turn back the cuff ends
to catch any liquids when arms are raised.
• Wear clothing made of heavy, tightly woven fabric,
that can be closed at the neck, and at the cuffs of
long shirt sleeves and long pants. Wear boots or
high, closed shoes.
• Have a mirror for inspecting ends of fittings, ports
and hoses. Never point an NH
3
source at your face.
• Great Plains strongly recommends carrying a
wireless telephone or 2-way radio.
1.
Loss of Warning: Filter cartridges may reduce
ammonia odor, preventing detection of
malfunctions or dangerous fume concentrations.
2.
Over-Confidence: Typical respirators are intended
for extended low-level exposure, or escape from
high levels. They do not provide extended
protection at or above IDLH
a
(300 ppm).
a. A vapor concentration Immediately Dangerous to
Life or Health
?
?