World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

OSHA looks to improve ammonia safety

ammonia_safefty_poster_nepUSA: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is to continue to work with the Global Cold Chain Alliance to improve ammonia refrigeration system safety. 

With the renewal of the alliance announced yesterday OSHA and GCCA will provide training to OSHA staff including a webinar on ammonia safety and develop outreach materials related to ammonia safety and process safety management (PSM). The alliance will also support the agency’s national outreach campaigns including the National Emphasis Programme for Chemical Facilities and the prevention of falls in construction.

Under the National Emphasis Programme the OSHA ensures ammonia refrigeration facilities are compliant with its PSM standard and verifies that employers’ written and implemented PSM programmes are consistent. It also carries out carries out random inspections.

ASHRAE estimates that just 2% of worldwide ammonia production is used for refrigeration. Most is used as fertiliser in agriculture. Less than 2% is said to be used in refrigeration, although moves towards “natural” refrigerants is likely to increase its popularity.

Although ammonia leaks are not uncommon, fatalities are relatively few: 19 deaths were reported in the USA across all 10,000 facilities using ammonia between 1996 and 2011.

Latest News

5th November 2024

Star short-listed for UK employer of the year

UK: Star Refrigeration has been shortlisted for UK Employer of the Year in the Investors in People Awards. 
4th November 2024

Michael Toh is president of Copeland Asia-Pacific

USA: Copeland has appointed Michael Toh as president of its Asia-Pacific regional business unit. 
4th November 2024

Donovan appointed chair at Kensa

UK: Ground source heat pump company Kensa has appointed Paul Donovan as its new chair of the board.
4th November 2024

Lek appointed VP and president EMEALA

IRELAND: Johnson Controls has named Richard Lek as vice president and president, Building Solutions EMEALA (Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America). 
4th November 2024

Parts Town offers WhatsApp support

UK: Foodservice parts supplier Parts Town UK has introduced a dedicated WhatsApp channel where customers can conveniently chat with the company’s UK team.
3rd November 2024

Pressure exchanger improves CO2 refrigeration efficiency

USA: A technology adapted from the desalination industry is said improve COPs of CO2 refrigeration systems by up to 30%.