CFA Safety and Emergency Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a fertilizer spill occurs near a waterway, what is the FIRST action an applicator should take?
- Contain the spill to prevent it from reaching the water (Correct answer)
- Immediately notify the EPA national headquarters
- Continue the application to finish the job quickly
- Dilute the spill with large amounts of water
Correct answer: Contain the spill to prevent it from reaching the water
Containment is the immediate priority to prevent environmental contamination of waterways.
Question 2: Which document must be immediately accessible to emergency responders at a fertilizer application site?
- Sales receipt for the fertilizer
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for all chemicals on site (Correct answer)
- Applicator's business license
- Field production records from prior seasons
Correct answer: Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for all chemicals on site
SDS sheets provide emergency responders with hazard, first aid, and handling information for all chemicals present.
Question 3: An applicator inhales anhydrous ammonia fumes. What is the recommended first aid?
- Administer oxygen immediately on scene
- Move to fresh air and flush eyes/skin with water for 15-20 minutes (Correct answer)
- Drink large amounts of milk to neutralize the chemical
- Lie down and wait for symptoms to subside
Correct answer: Move to fresh air and flush eyes/skin with water for 15-20 minutes
Moving to fresh air and flushing exposed areas with water for at least 15-20 minutes is the standard first response for anhydrous ammonia exposure.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a secondary containment system around fertilizer storage tanks?
- To keep out unauthorized personnel
- To capture leaks or spills before they reach the environment (Correct answer)
- To reduce evaporation of liquid fertilizers
- To improve the structural stability of tanks
Correct answer: To capture leaks or spills before they reach the environment
Secondary containment is designed to hold spilled material, preventing it from contaminating soil or water resources.
Question 5: Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, employees who handle fertilizers must receive training on:
- How to apply fertilizers for maximum crop yield
- The physical and health hazards of chemicals they work with (Correct answer)
- Fertilizer pricing and purchasing procedures
- Soil sampling and nutrient testing methods
Correct answer: The physical and health hazards of chemicals they work with
OSHA HazCom requires workers to be trained on chemical hazards, protective measures, and how to read SDS and labels.
Question 6: When should a fertilizer applicator contact the National Response Center (NRC)?
- Whenever a new fertilizer product is purchased
- When a reportable quantity of a hazardous substance is released (Correct answer)
- After every fertilizer application is completed
- When planning to store more than 500 lbs of fertilizer
Correct answer: When a reportable quantity of a hazardous substance is released
Federal law requires notification to the NRC (1-800-424-8802) when releases of hazardous substances meet or exceed reportable quantities.
Question 7: Which type of fire extinguisher is generally appropriate for fires involving dry fertilizer materials?
- Class B CO2 extinguisher
- Class A or dry chemical extinguisher (Correct answer)
- Water hose only
- Class K wet chemical extinguisher
Correct answer: Class A or dry chemical extinguisher
Class A or dry chemical extinguishers are suitable for ordinary combustible materials including dry fertilizer fires not involving oxidizers.
CFA Safety and Emergency Procedures 2
When a fertilizer spill occurs near a waterway, what is the FIRST action an applicator should take?