September 25, 2024
Harvest season means high energy, battling time and weather to get fall work completed before winter sets in.
Although a lot needs to be done, safety should never be compromised, and that extends to the farmers and custom applicators who will be applying anhydrous ammonia after harvest. Accidents involving NH3 have proven how dangerous and deadly the fertilizer can be when not handled properly.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture offers tips to farmers, fertilizer dealers and custom applicators to safely field apply NH3.
Always wear NH3-rated goggles and gloves. Never wear contact lenses.
Be sure to have a clean and accessible emergency water supply of at least 5 gallons available.
Exercise caution when making connections and disconnections of transfer lines, treating them as if they always contain NH3.
Stand upwind when connecting, disconnecting, bleeding lines or transferring NH3. Also, close, bleed, disconnect and secure valves and transfer lines when taking breaks or disconnecting lines, and be sure to handle hose end valves by the valve body.
Position equipment away and downwind from homes, people and livestock.
Safe handling
Safety also is key to those maintaining NH3 equipment, operating NH3 storage facilities and transporting NH3.
Never assume NH3 lines are empty.
Always wear the required protective safety equipment.
Have access to safety water. NH3 storage facilities must have a minimum of one open-top container holding 150 gallons of clean, accessible water or an accessible emergency shower with a plumbed eyewash. A 5-gallon container of clean, accessible water must accompany NH3 nurse tanks.
When towing a nurse tank down the road, drive sensibly. Do not go faster than 30 mph, display a slow-moving vehicle emblem visible from the rear, and be sure the tank is secured to the tractor or truck with two separate, independent chains that supplement the hitch pin/clip.
If an accident or spill occurs, seek medical care if needed, and immediately call 911 and then the Minnesota duty officer at 800-422-0798.
You can find more safety, storage and transportation information on MDA’s website.
As a reminder, fall application of NH3 should happen after average soil temperatures reach 50 degrees F or cooler to help prevent nitrogen loss and ensure more nitrogen will be available for next season’s crop.
View MDA’s interactive map to find the current 6-inch soil temperature and the past week’s history.
Under the MDA’s Groundwater Protection Rule, fall nitrogen fertilizer application is prohibited in vulnerable groundwater areas of Minnesota due to environmental concerns or risks. View a map of the vulnerable regions of the state.
Source: Minnesota Department of Agriculture
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