Recognition & Control

Anhydrous ammonia is widely used as a refrigerant in many industrial facilities, including:

• Meat, poultry, and fish processing facilities
• Dairy and ice cream plants
• Wineries and breweries
• Fruit juice, vegetable juice, and soft drink processing facilities
• Cold storage warehouses
• Other food processing facilities
• Petrochemical facilities

Hazard Recognition

Ammonia spills and releases pose a significant threat to workers from skin contact, inhalation, and fire and explosion. The key provision of process safety management is process hazard analysis (PHA) - a careful review of what could go wrong and what safeguards must be implemented to prevent releases of hazardous chemicals. Check out our Resources section and OSHA's website to help you to begin a PHA by recognizing process hazards.

Worker Protection

Accidental releases of ammonia from refrigeration facilities have resulted in both injuries and deaths to employees of these facilities. These injuries and deaths are caused from contact with both liquid and vapor forms of ammonia. Because refrigeration systems operate at elevated pressures, additional care must be taken to maintain and operate these systems so as to prevent releases with potentially catastrophic consequences. Check out OSHA's website for assistance in identifying and controlling the hazards associated with the operation and maintenance of ammonia refrigeration systems.

To learn more about Ammonia Refrigeration visit our Ammonia Refrigeration Safety Online Training web page.