Ammonia Refrigeration Systems
Ammonia refrigeration systems are used quite frequently in facilities that provide industrial refrigeration. The ammonia used is actually anhydrous and there are many different types of foods, drugs, beers, ice creams, and more that we all enjoy on a regular basis kept in industrial refrigeration cooled by ammonia. In fact, many things you use or eat on a daily basis were kept in ammonia refrigeration systems at some point in time before they made their way to your home. Other items that are used in ammonia refrigeration systems on a regular basis include fruit juice and soft drinks in their processing facilities, wineries, processing facilities for meats, fish, and poultry. Also petrochemical facilities and cold storage warehouses use ammonia refrigeration systems.Ammonia refrigeration systems are not completely safe, however. Workers in processing plants are at risk of being exposed to ammonia spills. Ammonia is very dangerous to workers and it may cause many problems. Ammonia may affect workers through inhalation, skin contact, explosion, and even fires. As a result process hazard analysis is very important and companies focus on this for process safety management. Safeguards are important and must be kept in place at all times to ensure safety. Ammonia is a hazard and it must be handled properly.
OSHA has also recommended that all workers in industrial refrigeration plants wear protective clothing in order to protect them in case of a spill, leak, or other similar event. OSHA has also published information on fire safety, respiratory protection, control of hazardous energy, personal protective equipment, and the like.
With OSHA playing a role in ammonia refrigeration and how it is managed companies and employees are all kept safer. That is the most important thing and thanks to OSHA employees working with ammonia refrigerant are now safer than ever.
