Transportation of ammonium nitrate by road transport

     In connection with the fact that organizations of the agro-industrial complex plan to use ammonium nitrate as fertilizer during agricultural work, the issue of its safe transportation by road on public roads is relevant.

     Ammonium nitrate is a salt of nitric acid (ammonium nitrate), its chemical formula is NH₄NO₃. It is a crystalline solid.

     Ammonium nitrate, containing no more than 0.2% combustible substances (including any organic substance calculated by carbon), excluding impurities of any other substance, is a hazardous substance (cargo), which according to the classification of hazardous goods established by the Agreement on International Road Transport of Dangerous Goods (hereinafter - the ADR agreement) is assigned UN number 1942, with a hazard identification number of 50.

Ammonium nitrate is classified as a dangerous cargo of class 5.1 - oxidizing substances, i.e., substances that are not necessarily combustible themselves, but can usually cause or support the combustion of other materials by releasing oxygen. It is an oxidizing substance without additional hazards, with a designated packing group III - a substance with a low degree of danger.

       Ammonium nitrate is fire hazardous. At a temperature of 210°C, it decomposes into nitrogen oxides and water vapor, and during the interaction of nitrogen oxides and ammonium nitrate, oxygen and ammonia are released, which can lead to fire or explosion.

        When ammonium nitrate interacts with combustible dispersed materials (metal powders, wood chips, sugar, and other organic substances), heat is released.

        In the event of contamination of ammonium nitrate with organic materials or in the event of a fire, the decomposition of the nitrate turns into an explosion. Ammonium nitrate can also explode under strong impacts.

        A fire caused by the decomposition of ammonium nitrate should be extinguished with a large amount of water.

        Ammonium nitrate dust has an irritating effect when inhaled on the upper respiratory tract, and when it comes into contact with mucous membranes - on the eyes and skin. When it comes into contact with the skin, ammonium nitrate causes skin irritation, especially in the presence of small cracks and wounds. When ingested, the nitrate causes dizziness and vomiting.

        All work with ammonium nitrate must be carried out using personal protective equipment.

  Based on the physicochemical properties of ammonium nitrate, the nature of its impact on the human body, certain requirements are imposed on its transportation. The transportation of ammonium nitrate is allowed in containers (bags) that have labeling characterizing transport danger, or in bulk (loose).

        When transporting ammonium nitrate, regardless of its quantity, the following basic requirements must be met:

   - bulk transportation must be carried out in closed vehicles. When transporting in bulk on open vehicles, ammonium nitrate must be covered with waterproof, fire-resistant tarpaulin;

   -   if possible, transportation in vehicles with a body made of wood should be avoided. In the case of such transportation, the parts of the vehicle's body made of wood must have fire-retardant treatment. The use of flammable packing materials is prohibited;

  - contamination of ammonium nitrate or its mixing with wood chips, straw, coal, peat, flour dust, and other organic substances is not allowed;

  - before loading, the vehicle's body must be thoroughly cleaned of dust and residues of previously transported goods.

   When transporting ammonium nitrate in quantities exceeding limited (in packages (containers) of 5 kg) and (or) exempted (30 g in internal packaging placed in external. The maximum net weight on external packaging is 1000 g) quantities, as well as exceeding the values specified in subsection 1.1.3.6 of Appendix A to the ADR agreement, the requirements of the Rules for Ensuring the Safety of Transportation of Dangerous Goods by Road Transport, approved by the resolution of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus dated May 17, 2021, No. 35 (hereinafter - the Rules) must be fully complied with.

             In accordance with the requirements of paragraph 61 of the Rules, the loading, unloading, and placement of ammonium nitrate must be carried out under the supervision and guidance of a person responsible for the safe conduct of loading and unloading operations, appointed by the order (directive) of the head of the organization. These persons must undergo training (retraining) according to the training program for specialists responsible for the safety of transportation of dangerous goods of classes 3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 8, and 9, approved by the resolution of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus dated November 8, 2021, No. 76 (hereinafter - resolution No. 76), pass an exam in the State Inspectorate for Nuclear and Radiation Safety and have a certificate of training of a specialist responsible for the safety of transportation of dangerous goods by road transport (hereinafter - training certificate).

     Persons responsible for the safe conduct of loading and unloading operations, in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 64 of the Rules, must conduct an inspection of the condition of containers, vehicles, loading and unloading sites, and the availability of trained personnel with a mandatory entry in the log (the form of the log is arbitrary but must account for all the above-mentioned inspection elements) before the start of loading and unloading operations of ammonium nitrate.

            According to paragraph 235 of the Rules, in order to ensure the safe transportation of dangerous goods, the head of the organization must appoint a specialist responsible for the safety of transportation of dangerous goods by road transport, who has a training certificate. The training certificate is issued by the State Inspectorate for Nuclear and Radiation Safety after training (retraining) in an educational organization according to the program for the transportation of dangerous goods of classes 3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 8, and 9, approved by resolution No. 76, and passing an exam in the State Inspectorate for Nuclear and Radiation Safety on this program.

           Only drivers of mechanical vehicles who meet the requirements of Article 26 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus dated June 6, 2001, No. 32-3 "On the Transportation of Dangerous Goods" are allowed to transport ammonium nitrate (manage mechanical transport vehicles).

           Drivers of mechanical vehicles must undergo training (retraining) in an educational organization according to the relevant training program (retraining) for drivers of mechanical vehicles for the transportation of dangerous goods, approved by resolution No. 76, pass an exam in the State Inspectorate for Nuclear and Radiation Safety, and have a certificate of training for a driver of a mechanical vehicle for the transportation of dangerous goods.

Other workers involved in loading and unloading operations of ammonium nitrate, escorting, temporary storage, and preparation of ammonium nitrate and vehicles for transportation, as well as eliminating accidents and incidents involving ammonium nitrate, must undergo training, internship, instruction, and knowledge testing for the type of work performed.

Vehicles (trucks, tractor units, trailers, or semi-trailers) used for transporting ammonium nitrate must be registered with the State Inspectorate for Nuclear and Radiation Safety. The registration procedure is outlined in the Regulation on the registration and de-registration of mechanical vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers used for the transportation of dangerous goods, as well as the procedure for making changes to documents related to the registration of these vehicles, trailers, or semi-trailers, approved by the resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated February 12, 2014, No. 117 "On Measures for the Implementation of the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Laws of the Republic of Belarus on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods".

Vehicles (transport units - in the case of a tractor with a trailer (semi-trailer) when transporting ammonium nitrate must be equipped with fire extinguishers, additional equipment and accessories, a first aid kit, means of neutralizing the transported hazardous substance (ammonium nitrate), and personal protective equipment for the driver and accompanying personnel. The requirements for the equipment of vehicles are outlined in paragraphs 160-165 of the Rules.

In addition, vehicles (transport units) must display orange plates with the UN number and hazard identification number. The orange plates must be placed at the front and rear of the vehicle (transport unit - in the case of a tractor with a semi-trailer), perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, without obscuring the license plates and external light devices, and not protruding beyond the dimensions of the vehicle.

When moving in vehicles transporting ammonium nitrate, low beam headlights and an orange flashing beacon must be turned on.

Ammonium nitrate, according to subsection 1.10.3.1 of Appendix A to the ADR agreement, when transported in bulk (loose) in quantities of 3000 kg or more, is classified as high-risk cargo that can be used for purposes other than intended, including terrorist purposes, and can lead to serious consequences such as numerous human casualties and mass destruction.

In the case of the aforementioned transportation of ammonium nitrate, organizations face the question of the need to take additional precautionary measures aimed at ensuring the safety of transportation. In this regard, according to paragraph 83 of the Rules, carriers, shippers, and consignees of ammonium nitrate must develop safety plans in accordance with subsection 1.10.3.2 of Appendix A to the ADR agreement and follow them in their activities.