OSHA Addresses Ammonium Hazards in Fertilizer Industry

Ammonium is a common chemical used in the production of agricultural fertilizer. The nitrate salt of ammonium cation, it's a crystalline compound that encourages grass and plants to create new protein molecules. But while small, short-term exposure to ammonium is generally safer for humans, high, long-term exposure can cause health problems, specifically those involving the upper respiratory system. This has prompted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to raise awareness for ammonium exposure in the fertilizer industry.

In September, OSHA creates a new program that's designed to protect fertilizer workers from the health hazards of ammonium exposure. Known as the Regional Emphasis Program (REP), it will initially cover the following states : Kansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arkansas and Missouri.

OSHA stresses that any worker who handles fertilizer on a regular basis could face health hazards. These hazards generally fall under one of two categories. First, there's the hazard of upper respiratory irritation. Inhaling the fumes of ammonium can irritate the airways, cause shortness of breath and exasperate existing respiratory conditions like asthma. Second, there's the hazard of fire or explosion. Ammonium is a highly combustible chemical that can easily catch fire and explode. In fact, there have been numerous cases of fertilizer manufacturing facilities exploding, resulting in the injury and death of workers.

Beginning Oct. 1, OSHA will begin an education program that provides employers and workers in the fertilizer industry with tools and resources related to fertilizer hazards. The program will continue for three months, after which OSHA will begin to enforce its safety and health rules pertaining to ammonium.

When speaking about the new program, OSHA's Kimberly Stille said that employers will have 90 days -- three months -- to comply with the organization's ammonium safety rules. Following that period, employers who fail to comply may face fines or other penalties.

“This program is an enforcement tool to emphasize the obligations under existing OSHA standards,” said OSHA Regional Administrator Kimberly Stille in Kansas City, Mo. in a statement. “The 90-day outreach period is an opportunity for employers to proactively seek compliance assistance to ensure they are adequately protecting workers.”

Ammonium is an essential ingredient in fertilizer. And while working with this chemical poses some risk of injury, there are ways to keep workers safe, which is why OSHA is hoping to educate employers about with its new program. You can check out OSHA's website here for more information about fertilizer hazards in the workplace.