OSHA Forms Alliance to Accelerate Agribusiness Safety Efforts

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.