As spring fieldwork ramps up, many farmers and applicators will soon begin applying anhydrous ammonia. With tight weather windows and increasing pressure to get into fields, make safety a top priority.
Accidents involving anhydrous ammonia can result in severe, life‑threatening injuries when proper precautions are not followed, reminds the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
See the following safety reminders for farmers, applicators, and those performing equipment maintenance:
- Always wear appropriate goggles and gloves; never wear contact lenses around NH3.
- Keep at least 5 gallons of clean emergency water easily accessible at all times.
- Assume all hoses and lines contain product and use caution when connecting or disconnecting.
- Stand upwind when connecting, disconnecting, bleeding lines, or transferring product.
- When stopping work or disconnecting equipment, close valves, bleed lines, disconnect, and secure hoses. Handle hose-end valves by the valve body only.
- Whenever possible, place equipment away from homes, people, and livestock.
Safe transport of anhydrous ammonia is equally important. When towing a nurse tank, operators should drive no faster than 30 miles per hour, display a clean and visible slow‑moving vehicle emblem, and secure the tank with two independent safety chains in addition to the standard hitch pin and clip.
