Important: From 1 January 2012, information on this website is being reviewed and must be read in conjunction with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
 |
Print-friendly page
|
What are the hazards?
Managing hazards and risks
Ammonium nitrate is an odourless material, which is usually granulated (if a fertiliser) and white in appearance. Crystalline ammonium nitrate is not usually found outside a laboratory.
Ammonium nitrate can be classified as a Class 5.1 'Oxidising agent' under the dangerous goods classification system. It is a strong oxidizer and can react violently with other incompatible materials so it is very important to store and handle it correctly.
This information primarily covers the storage and handling of ammonium nitrate of class 5.1 under the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001 (PDF, 629 kB), and is also suitable for materials including goods with the following UN numbers: UN 1942, UN 2072, UN 2069, UN 2067, UN 2068, and UN 2070.
The storage of liquid ammonium nitrate (UN 2426) or materials classified as Class 1 'Explosives' (such as ammonium nitrate with more than 0.2 per cent combustible substances (UN 0222) is not covered here. Seek expert advice to deal with these materials.
Ammonium nitrate fertiliser as Class 9 (UN 2071) is not an oxidising agent but may present a hazard in a fire.
Similar names for ammonium nitrate include:
In Queensland approximately 99 per cent of ammonium nitrate is used as an explosive in mining operations. The remainder is used as a fertiliser.
SSAN is covered by the Explosives Act 1999 and the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001 and includes:
Solutions and ammonium nitrate products that are classified as Class 1 'Explosives' are excluded. SSAN may also include non-dangerous goods.
More information about ammonium nitrate including siting and security requirements for security sensitive ammonium nitrate is available from Queensland Mines and Energy within the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.
Ammonium nitrate is stable in solid, molten or in solution. However, it can become less resistant to detonation/initiation due to the presence of contaminants or on exposure to high temperatures (e.g. fire or radiant heat).
The following can cause ammonium nitrate to become less stable and at greater risk of detonation:
Once ammonium nitrate becomes molten (particularly if confined) the risk of an explosion increases. This risk increases dramatically if the pH of molten ammonium nitrate falls or if it comes into contact with oxidisable material for instance organics such as oil, diesel, paper, rag, or straw.
Ammonium nitrate may explode due to the following factors:
Ammonium nitrate does not burn. However, it will support and increase the rate of combustion in the presence of flammable or combustible materials even in the absence of oxygen.
When heated it will melt, decompose and release toxic gases including nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ammonia gas (NH3). When heated excessively (e.g. as in a fire) it can cause an explosion in an enclosed space and closed containers or vessels may rupture violently.
After reviewing the product's MSDS and container label:
The occupier of the premises must ensure people employed at the premises are trained in:
Workers need to be effectively supervised to ensure systems and procedures are followed.
Procedures should be documented to inform workers about how to store and handle ammonium nitrate safely. The systems should ensure that the risks identified in your risk assessment are effectively managed.
Following are some examples of appropriate procedures:
When disposing of ammonium nitrate, consider the following:
Empty containers should be washed out with water (triple rinsed) before their disposal. Unless the containers are refilled with the same materials, the containers should be removed or fully destroyed.
Consult the manufacturer about the disposal of unwanted ammonium nitrate.
Copyright |
Disclaimer |
Privacy |
Access keys |
Other languages
© The State of Queensland (Department of Justice and Attorney-General) 2009.