The two (2) leading causes of ammonia releases are:
- Equipment Failure,
- Human Factors
Equipment failure
- Corroded pipework
- Leaks from rotating shafts (and valve glands)
- Failure of high level and pressure cut out switches, and safety valves.
Human factors
- Failing to establish and follow a written preventive maintenance programme
- Missing procedures: Failing to establish or follow safety processes or procedures
- Not identifying hazards correctly
- Missing critical control measures (such as those identified in recognised New Zealand Standards)
- Ineffectively managing change and safety critical control measures
- Not having an effective emergency response plan
- The PCBU and refrigeration contractor not consulting with each other to manage their overlapping duties.