Transport of ammonium nitrate by road
Given that agricultural organizations plan to use ammonium nitrate as fertilizer during agricultural operations, the safe transportation of this substance by road vehicles on public roads is a relevant issue.
Ammonium nitrate is a salt of nitric acid (ammonium nitrate), its chemical formula is NH4NO3. It is a crystalline solid.
Ammonium nitrate containing not more than 0.2% combustible materials (including any organic substance calculated as carbon), excluding impurities of any other substance, is a dangerous substance (cargo) which, in accordance with the classification of dangerous goods established by the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (hereinafter referred to as the ADR Agreement), is assigned UN number 1942, with hazard identification number 50.
Ammonium nitrate is classified as a dangerous good of Class 5.1 - oxidizing substances, i.e., substances which, while not necessarily combustible themselves, may, generally by yielding oxygen, cause or contribute to the combustion of other materials. It is an oxidizing substance with no subsidiary risk, assigned to Packing Group III - a substance presenting low danger.
Ammonium nitrate is flammable. At a temperature of 210°C, it decomposes into nitrogen oxides and water vapor, with oxygen and ammonia being released during the interaction of nitrogen oxides and ammonium nitrate, which can lead to fire or explosion.
Upon interaction of ammonium nitrate with combustible dispersed materials (metal powders, sawdust, sugar, and other organic substances), heat is released.
In case of contamination of ammonium nitrate with organic materials or in case of fire, the decomposition of nitrate can lead to an explosion. Ammonium nitrate also explodes under strong impact.
A fire caused by the decomposition of ammonium nitrate should be extinguished with a large amount of water.
All work with ammonium nitrate must be carried out using personal protective equipment.
Based on the physicochemical properties of ammonium nitrate and its effect on the human body, certain requirements are imposed on its transportation. The transportation of ammonium nitrate is permitted in packaging (containers, bags) marked with transport hazard characteristics, or in bulk.
When transporting ammonium nitrate, regardless of the quantity, the following basic requirements must be met:
- bulk transportation must be carried out in closed vehicles. When transporting in bulk in open vehicles, ammonium nitrate must be covered with waterproof, fire-resistant tarpaulin;
- whenever possible, transportation in vehicles with wooden body parts should be avoided. In case of such transportation, wooden body parts of vehicles must be fire-retardant treated. The use of flammable gasket materials is prohibited;
- contamination of ammonium nitrate or its mixing with sawdust, straw, coal, peat, flour dust, and other organic substances is not allowed;
- before loading, the vehicle body must be thoroughly cleaned of dust and residues of previously transported goods.
When transporting ammonium nitrate in quantities exceeding the limited quantities (in packages (containers) of 5 kg) and/or excepted quantities (30 g in an inner packaging placed in an outer packaging. The maximum net quantity per outer packaging is 1000 g), as well as exceeding the values specified in subsection 1.1.3.6 of Appendix A to the ADR Agreement, it is necessary to fully comply with the requirements of the Rules for ensuring the safety of dangerous goods transport by road, approved by the Resolution of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus of May 17, 2021 No. 35 (hereinafter referred to as the Rules).
In accordance with the requirements of clause 61 of the Rules, the loading, unloading, and placement of ammonium nitrate must be carried out under the supervision and guidance of the person responsible for the safe conduct of loading and unloading operations, appointed by order (instruction) of the head of the organization. Such persons must undergo training (retraining) under the training (retraining) program for specialists responsible for the safety of dangerous goods transport 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 of November 8, 2021 No. 76 (hereinafter referred to as Resolution No. 76), pass an exam at the State Industrial Supervision Service and have a certificate of training for a specialist responsible for the safety of dangerous goods transport by road (hereinafter referred to as the training certificate).
Persons responsible for the safe conduct of loading and unloading operations, in accordance with the requirements of clause 64 of the Rules, before commencing the loading and unloading of ammonium nitrate, must check the condition of containers, vehicles, loading and unloading sites, and the availability of trained personnel, with mandatory entry in the logbook (the logbook format is arbitrary, but must take into account all the above-mentioned verification elements).
According to clause 235 of the Rules, to ensure the safe transportation of dangerous goods, the head of the organization must by order appoint a specialist responsible for the safety of transporting dangerous goods by road, who has a training certificate. The training certificate is issued by the State Industrial Supervision Authority (Gospromnadzor) after training (retraining) in a training 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 at Gospromnadzor on this program.
Drivers of mechanical vehicles are directly permitted to transport ammonium nitrate (operate mechanical vehicles) if they meet the requirements of Article 26 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus of June 6, 2001, No. 32-3 "On the Transportation of Dangerous Goods".
Drivers of mechanical vehicles must undergo training (retraining) in a training organization according to the relevant training (retraining) program for drivers of mechanical vehicles for the transportation of dangerous goods, approved by Resolution No. 76, pass an exam at Gospromnadzor, and possess a training certificate for a driver of a mechanical vehicle for the transportation of dangerous goods.
Other employees involved in loading and unloading operations of ammonium nitrate, escort, temporary storage, and preparation of ammonium nitrate and vehicles for transportation, as well as in the elimination of accidents and incidents involving ammonium nitrate, must undergo training, internships, briefings, and knowledge checks for their respective work activities.
Vehicles (trucks, tractor units, trailers or semi-trailers for them) used for the transportation of ammonium nitrate must be registered with the State Industrial Supervision Authority. The registration procedure is set out in the Regulations on the Procedure for Registration, Deregistration of Motor Vehicles, Trailers and Semi-trailers for them, used for the transportation of dangerous goods, as well as the Procedure for Amending 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 of 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 for neutralizing the transported dangerous substance (ammonium nitrate), and personal protective equipment for the driver and accompanying personnel. Requirements for the equipment of vehicles are set out in clauses 160-165 of the Rules.
In addition, vehicles (transport units) must be fitted with orange plates with the UN number and hazard identification number. The orange plates must be located 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 lighting devices, and without protruding beyond the dimensions of the vehicle.
When driving, vehicles carrying ammonium nitrate must have their low beam headlights and orange flashing beacon switched on.
Ammonium nitrate, when transported in bulk in quantities of 3000 kg or more, is classified as a high-consequence dangerous good according to subsection 1.10.3.1 of Annex A to the ADR Agreement. Such goods can be misused for terrorist purposes, leading to severe consequences, including mass casualties and widespread destruction.
In the case of the aforementioned transport of ammonium nitrate, organizations face the challenge of implementing additional security measures to ensure transport safety. Therefore, in accordance with paragraph 83 of the Rules, carriers, consignors, and consignees of ammonium nitrate must develop security plans in accordance with subsection 1.10.3.2 of Annex A to the ADR Agreement and adhere to them in their operations.