fertilizer or npk

OSHA Forms Alliance to Accelerate Agribusiness Safety Efforts

Feb. 5, 2019
Collaboration to promote safe handing and storage of fertilizer products.

OSHA, along with The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) and the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) are partnering in an effort to increase safety efforts in the agricultural retail and supply industry.

The two-year alliance will focus on the safe storage and handling of ammonium nitrate and anhydrous ammonia – materials used in fertilizers.

“This alliance underscores our collective commitment to addressing industry hazards, and developing best practices to help improve the safety and security of chemical storage, and protect the lives of workers and residents,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt.

Alliance participants will also share emergency response information with agribusiness communities and first responders. With assistance from industry training organization ResponsibleAg Inc., the collaboration will help agricultural retail facilities comply with safety and health standards for safe handling and storage of fertilizer products

Prior to the official recognition of this alliance, OSHA, in cooperation with ARA, TFI, and ResponsibleAg Inc., developed a video that describes the agency’s inspection process under the Regional Emphasis Program for Fertilizer Grade Ammonium Nitrate and Agricultural Anhydrous Ammonia Facilities. The video is one of the first products under the alliance agreement.

TFI represents employers involved in fertilizer manufacturing, importing, exporting, and retailing to farmers. ARA is a non-profit trade association representing agricultural retailers and distributors nationwide on legislative and regulatory issues.

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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