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Anhydrous Ammonia Safety

Anhydrous ammonia is a widely used nitrogen source, and it is also a hazardous material that can injure eyes, skin and lungs very quickly. This guide explains the hazard in general terms and points you to the official training and rules.

Why is anhydrous ammonia considered so hazardous?

Anhydrous ammonia is stored and handled as a liquid under pressure, and it turns to a gas when it is released. That gas is intensely irritating to the eyes, the skin, the nose, the throat and the lungs. It also draws moisture out of whatever tissue it touches, which is why contact can be so damaging.

Because the material is under pressure, a small failure in a hose, valve or fitting can release a lot of product in a short time. That is why the people who handle it need real instruction rather than a quick demonstration from a neighbor.

• It is a pressurized liquid that becomes a gas on release.
• Eyes, skin and airways are the most exposed parts of the body.
• Small equipment failures can become big problems fast.

Who should be handling it?

Anyone who connects, transfers or applies ammonia should be trained for that exact task, and the training should be refreshed on a regular basis. Family members who help out at planting time count too, and so do seasonal workers and hired custom applicators.

Rules about who may transport, store and apply ammonia differ by state and sometimes by county. Check with your state department of agriculture and with OSHA for what applies to your operation, and do not rely on what a supplier or a neighbor remembers.

What does prevention look like in principle?

Prevention starts before anyone goes near a tank. Equipment should be inspected by someone who knows what a worn hose, a damaged valve or a leaking fitting looks like, and anything that is questionable should be taken out of service until a qualified person has looked at it.

Planning matters as much as equipment. Decide ahead of time who is working, where a water source is, how people will communicate, and who will call 911 if something goes wrong. Never work alone when you are handling ammonia.

• Inspect hoses, valves, couplings and tanks on a schedule.
• Follow the manufacturer manual for every piece of equipment.
• Keep a clear plan for communication and for calling 911.

What protective gear do I need?

The correct gloves, eye protection and other protective equipment depend on the task and on the product label and safety data sheet. This site does not list specifications, because the wrong choice can give a false sense of safety.

Ask your supplier, your extension office or your OSHA area office to point you to the written requirements for the work you do. Then make sure the gear fits, is clean, is in good condition and is within easy reach before the job starts.

What about weather and the work site?

Wind, temperature and terrain all change how a release behaves and how people can get away from it. Think about where you would move if something went wrong, and keep your route clear of fences, ditches and equipment.

Keep bystanders, children and animals well away from the work area. Tanks that are parked should be locked or otherwise secured so that nobody can tamper with them.

Where can I get training?

Look for hands-on instruction from your state department of agriculture, your land-grant university extension office, a fertilizer dealer training program or an ag safety organization. Hands-on practice with real equipment is the best way to build the habits that protect you.

If you ever suspect exposure or a leak, leave the area and call 911. Do not try to be a hero, and do not send a family member in after someone.

What should families and hired help understand?

Everyone on the farm should know that ammonia tanks and application equipment are not play areas and not places for curiosity. Explain in plain words that the product can injure quickly and that the rule is to stay away unless you have a job there.

New workers should be shown the equipment, the plan and the people to ask before they touch anything. Written instructions in a language the worker reads best are worth the effort, and so is a quiet check that they understood. Before the first connection is made, confirm that a plan, a way to call for help and the required safety equipment are all in place. The product supplier and the manufacturer manual describe what the equipment needs, and OSHA describes what employers are expected to provide.

If something is missing, delay the job. A late start is easy to recover from, and an injury is not.

• Keep children and visitors away from tanks and toolbars.
• Train new and seasonal workers before their first day on the job.
• Provide instructions in the language each worker uses most comfortably.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.