Storage and handling
The safe storage of ammonium nitrate relies on the following principles:
- avoidance of contamination of foreign materials, especially if that material is combustible or incompatible
- good house keeping
- storing the material away from heat sources and naked flames
- avoiding serious confinement
- storage away from explosives
- avoiding exposure to shock
- avoiding uptake of moisture, (not a safety concern if ammonium nitrate is bagged)
- preventing unauthorised access
- being prepared for an emergency.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
- Material safety data sheets (MSDS) must be obtained for ammonium nitrate from your supplier for dangerous goods including ammonium nitrate. The MSDS must be kept in a register.
- A register includes the name of each dangerous goods on site and a copy of the MSDS for each of those.
- Each MSDS must be located close to where people who may be exposed can refer to the MSDS easily. This will ensure that each MSDS can be referred to easily by workers and allow emergency responders access to information about the hazards.
- The MSDS must be read to identify:
(a) The chemical and physical hazards.
(b) Appropriate safe storage and handling practices.
(c) The need for additional control measures.
(d) First aid measures.
(e) Fire fighting and emergency information.
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