Renewed alliance protects workers from ammonia releases

USA: The US Department of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) have renewed their alliance to protect workers from ammonia releases.

Originally signed in 2010 and renewed in 2014, the alliance enables the OSHA and GCCA to continue working together to protect workers from exposure to hazardous chemical releases from ammonia refrigeration systems. The alliance will also focus on improving process safety management programmes for these systems.

Alliance goals under the five-year renewal agreement include developing information on workplace hazards related to ammonia refrigeration, emergency preparedness and response, and best practices for protecting workers’ safety while performing ammonia refrigeration operations.

In the past, the two organisations have collaborated in developing posters on ammonia safety. GCCA has also provided web-based training to help compliance officers and industry personnel better understand safety within industrial refrigeration facilities. In addition, the alliance intends to raise awareness of inspection trends related to the US National Enforcement Programme for Chemical Facilities and rulemaking activities that impact the cold chain industry.

GCCA serves more than 1,300 companies in 75 countries who serve the food industry by providing third party, temperature-controlled supply chain services.