Safety first
IFA is striving to promote global awareness of "Safety First" in fertilizer production and has placed occupational safety and health excellence at the top of its agenda.
Fertilizer production involves the manufacture of
- hazardous chemicals (ammonia);
- strong mineral acids (sulphuric, nitric and phosphoric);
- oxidizing agents, some that can be potentially detonated, such as ammonium nitrate and, to a lesser extent, some NPK compounds.
- At the various stages of fertilizer manufacture, distribution and use, several thousand tonnes of these substances are stored and handled.
- Stringent regulations protect workers and consumers from the health risks (such as toxic dust, radiation and fumes) they may be exposed to during the manufacture, storage and use of fertilizers.
- Over and above these regulations, many fertilizer companies have established their own codes of conduct to reinforce safety. These include HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) management procedures and HAZOP (Hazard and Operability) studies, which introduce measures to be taken in the event of a shortcoming in the system.
IFA has developed a series of 12 principles covering Safety, Health and the Environment
Learn
IFA's Technical Committee
|