1. Process Safety Management Ammonia Awareness

2. Training Matrix Subject
Description of Subject Matter /Key Items Covered
Who is Required to attend
Frequency
Presented by
Safety Website Section
Process Safety Management Ammonia Awareness
Anhydrous Ammonia Awareness
All employees - Including office personnel
Initial employment
Employees presently involved in operating a process
Refresher Training every three years
Facility Manager Designated Person
Ammonia Refrigeration

3. Process Safety Management Program
This program attempts to anticipate future problems by identifying, evaluating, and preventing failures of the process that could result in a release of this chemical as well as to inform all employees about the health effects of an ammonia exposure.
This Process Safety Management program provides information and procedures to prevent or minimize an accidental release of ammonia.

4. Ammonia (NH3) Anhydrous Ammonia
“Anhydrous ammonia” means ammonia with no water content. This substance is used universally as an industrial refrigerant, as well as an ingredient in fertilizer
At normal temperatures and pressures, ammonia is a colorless gas, lighter than air and has a sharp, pungent odor that serves as a warning of its presence.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has classified anhydrous ammonia as a non-flammable gas.

5. Ammonia’s Self-Alarming Characteristic
Ammonia (NH3)
Ammonia’s Self-Alarming Characteristic
Ammonia can be a serious life-threatening hazard at high concentration levels. However, it has a very pungent, irritating, and recognizable odor at very low concentration levels of from five to fifty parts per million
At moderate concentration levels of from fifty up to two hundred parts per million, it is so intolerable that people will seek relief from its effects before it becomes a true health hazard.

6. Health Effects of Exposure to Ammonia
Ammonia (NH3)
Health Effects of Exposure to Ammonia
Anhydrous ammonia in liquid or gaseous form has a very strong attraction to water and moisture which targets bodily fluids (such as those in the eyes, nose, mouth, respiratory tract, and perspiration) and forms strong concentrations of aqueous ammonia that irritate body tissues and may cause injury.

7. Effect of Ammonia Vapor in Various Concentrations
NH3 Vapor Concentration
(PPM)
Effect on Unprotected Workers
Exposure Period 20
Noticeable odor to some people
Unlimited 25
Recommended 8 hour exposure limit (ACGIH) 50
Detectable odor
Permissible Exposure Limit for 8 hours (NIOSH,OSHA)
100
Moderately strong odor, moderately irritating to the eyes and nose
300
Causes major irritation of all moist body parts
Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (OSHA)
1,720
Causes convulsive coughing
No exposure permissible (may be fatal after short exposure)
5,000
Causes respiratory spasm, strangulation, asphyxia
No exposure permissible (rapidly fatal)
15,000
Causes burns and blisters to unprotected skin

8. Exposure to Liquid Anhydrous Ammonia
Anhydrous ammonia will destroy bodily tissue resulting in blister and chemical burns.
Eye damage is the most likely serious hazard when liquid ammonia contacts the eye. Therefore, eye protection and eye wash equipment are required.

9. Exposure to Ammonia Vapors
For eye exposure, move the person out of the contaminated area and begin flushing the eyes with large amounts of water.
Eyes
Ammonia has a distinct odor that is very irritating. If the concentration is high, most people will move quickly seek fresh air. However, if a person’s escape is delayed or the person is unconscious, the ammonia has a suffocating ability.
Inhalation
If the person is conscious, large quantities of water should be swallowed.
Ingestion (Swallowing of Ammonia)
Liquid ammonia causes the water in the skin to freeze, expanding the cells to the point of rupture, producing burns
Skin

10. This concludes the PSM Anhydrous Ammonia Awareness Training.
That Ammonia is used, in or near your work place, in the refrigeration system,
There are serious hazards associated with ammonia exposure, and
There is a formal written program for ammonia safety at this facility.
We ask you to follow and apply all the information provided to you when working and make sure you are aware of the following:

11. QUESTIONS?