Spring Safety Tips: Anhydrous Ammonia

It won't be long now before nurse tanks will be seen throughout the countryside in preparation for the much anticipated spring season.  With that comes the application of anhydrous ammonia.  When handled, transported and applied properly, anhydrous can be a very efficient and effective fertilizer. 

Your safety and security is of the utmost importance to the Landmark team.  Therefore, before heading to the fields please take a moment to review these important safety tips!

General Anhydrous Information

• Anhydrous is not a poison, but it is very corrosive to human tissue and internal organs.
• It is colorless in both its liquid and gaseous forms.
• When released from its container, anhydrous expands to 850 times its liquid volume.

Anhydrous Transportation Information

• As classified by the U.S. Department of Transportation, anhydrous is a regulated hazardous material and is classified as a "non-flammable gas."
• All anhydrous nurse tanks must be marked with a slow moving vehicle sign.
• When pulling nurse tanks, drivers need to keep as far as safely possible to the right of the road.  It is legal to drive on the shoulder, but extreme caution should be used to not get close to ditches.
• Tires on anhydrous nurse tanks are designed for use in fields, not on paved roads.  Drive slowly, as the tires are only rated for 25 mph.
• Avoid pulling anhydrous tanks at night, but if you must, use your vehicle flashers.  State law in Illinois requires that nurse tanks pulled at night have an amber rotating or flashing light.
• Use the safety chains when transproting anhydrous ammonia.
• The most common transportation incident with nurse tanks are tank rollovers.  Remember that you are transporting a liquid in the tank, which slushes around and redistributes weight.  Go slowly while making turns and taking sharp corners.
• All transports of hazardous materials must come to a complete stop at all railroad crossings.

Anhydrous Application Safety

• Ensure hoses and quick couplers are in good working order and not passed their expiration date.
• Use the safety chains when pulling ammonia with applicators and toolbars.
• Always wear gloves and goggles when making and/or breaking hose connections, in addition to when opening valves.
• Make sure to bleed out all lines prior to removing hose connections. 

Wishing you a safe and prosperous spring season!



Matt Solymossy is Landmark's Safety Manager and brings with him over 10 years of agriculture safety experience and hands-on training.