From time to time I like to look at RMP data for trends and interesting accidents that we can learn from. As in the past, Anhydrous Ammonia seems to always find its way into my research. Some will say it is because it is by far the most widely used RMP chemical and others will lay claim to other reasons, which I will leave up to you to draw your own conclusions. But the fact is the 5-year accident history incident that has the highest number of injured (71) was an 18,000 pound NH3 release that sent one (1) employee and thirty-six (36) residents to the hospital. But it is the incident details that we can learn from as I am seeing more and more NH3 refrigeration facilities using Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in conjunction with their ammonia refrigeration processes. Doing so increases the scope of the PHA for sure, including the “facility siting analysis” as is ever more evident by this incident…
NOTE: the numbers do not match because the companies submittal list 71 injuries and their narrative use 1 and 36 injuries. I do not know the correct figure from a reputable source.
NOTE 2: This facility is a brewery and the CO2 may not have been used in conjunction with the Ammonia refrigeration system, but was located such that it impacted the ammonia system anyway.