At a poultry-processing plant, a worker (engineer) was responding to an ammonia leak from an air purger (equipment that removes air and other non-condensable gases from the refrigeration system to improve efficiency). He described the signs of the problem to a refrigeration mechanic over the telephone. While waiting for the mechanic to arrive, the worker was splashed with ammonia-saturated water (ammonia mixture) from the water bubbler. When the mechanic arrived later, he opened the water shut-off valve to flush water through the water bubbler, and was also splashed with the ammonia mixture. The two workers sustained chemical burns.
Investigation conclusions