The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and OSHA have issued a chemical advisory (*PDF) that provides information on the hazards of ammonium nitrate storage, handling and management. This action supports the goals of President Obama’s August 2013 executive order on “Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security.” The advisory provides lessons learned for facility owners and operators, emergency planners and first responders from recent incidents, including the ammonium nitrate explosion in West, Texas, in order to prevent similar incidents.
“Ammonium nitrate can be very dangerous, and it’s imperative that employers, workers and first responders all understand the hazards,” said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. “With this understanding, together they can control these hazards and save lives and limbs.” Read the EPA press release for more details.