Emergency Response and Safety Flashcards

An operator closes valves on both ends of a liquid ammonia line without a relief path. What hazard is created?

Answer: Hydrostatic expansion that can rupture the pipe

Trapped liquid expands as it warms, building enough pressure to rupture piping or valves.

Which skin injury is most associated with direct contact with liquid anhydrous ammonia?

Answer: Frostbite combined with chemical burns

Liquid ammonia boils at about -28°F and is alkaline, causing both freezing and caustic injuries.

What is the approximate odor threshold at which most people can detect ammonia?

Answer: 5 ppm

Most people detect ammonia's pungent odor at around 5 ppm, well below hazardous levels.

Before servicing a compressor, which OSHA standard requires energy sources to be isolated and locked out?

Answer: 29 CFR 1910.147

The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) standard is 29 CFR 1910.147.

After an ammonia exposure victim is removed to fresh air, which first-aid step is appropriate if clothing is contaminated?

Answer: Remove contaminated clothing and flush skin with water

Contaminated clothing should be removed and the affected skin flushed with plenty of water.

An ammonia detector in the machinery room reaches its high alarm setpoint. Which automatic action do codes such as IIAR 2 typically require?

Answer: Start the emergency ventilation and shut down the refrigeration equipment as designed

High-level detection typically activates emergency ventilation and shuts down equipment per the design and code.

Where is it best to stage personnel and equipment when approaching an outdoor ammonia release?

Answer: Upwind and uphill

Approaching from upwind and uphill keeps responders out of the vapor path.