A safety class on anhydrous ammonia was held at Nutrien Ag in Clay Center on August 18th. It was attended by 75 first responders from multiple entities, including fire departments, EMS, law enforcement across various counties. They learned various safety measures in dealing with anhydrous ammonia, including various ag-based scenarios and how they should react when the chemical is in play. Anhydrous ammonia is a colorless gas used as a high-efficiency nitrogen fertilizer. It is commonly used but considered extremely dangerous with exposure or risk of explosion.
“I approached Nutrien about doing a joint shared training to both utilize resources and make sure the county is well taken care of,” said Fire Lieutenant Rodney Althiser. “It went from there; they really took the horse by the reins.”
Althiser said the Clay Center Fire Department, along with other first responder organizations, has a quota of annual trainings. It’s part of his job to help source them.
“One day I was thinking about what would we do, what resources would we have if a farmer was driving through our community pulling an anhydrous ammonia tank and he gets involved in an accident and we have a small leak,” he said. “That’s how we have to think. What do we do? How do we prepare the citizens of Clay Center?”
Althiser said it made sense to reach out to Nutrien, a company that regularly handles anhydrous ammonia. However, it grew to a far more educational event than originally expected.
“They fed us, didn’t want any money,” he said. “We are very appreciative. This is a huge asset to us. That way if something were to happen, we’d be ready for it.”
The presentation, considered a high-risk, low-frequency training, was held by Nutrien’s anhydrous expert, who traveled from the company’s Iowa office.
Nutrien Clay Center Location Manager, Travis Lehman, said company employees have to train for anhydrous ammonia annually.
“I learn something every time our anhydrous person puts on a clinic,” he said. “We’re required and every employee is well-versed in the dos and don’ts, but there’s a lot to it. In the event there’s an accident on a farm or an issue when someone’s pulling a tank down the road, there were several examples of what to do and expect while they’re responding.”
He cited two times of year when anhydrous ammonia is predominately used, from November to December, then from late-February to April. However, safety with dangerous substances needs to be practiced year-round.
Globally, Nutrien has won multiple safety awards from the National Safety Council, including 2021 and 2022 awards for their anhydrous safety program. In their North American locations alone, the brand’s 600 locations handles close to one million tons of ammonia each year.
And, after receiving positive feedback, Lehman said they will consider hosting an annual educational event for first responders to provide more detailed training.
“It’s nice to have the willingness of that many first responders wanting to engage in education for ag safety,” he said. “It was a fantastic turnout.”
