Technical Safety BC Releases Recommendations for the Ammonia Refrigeration Industry

(Source: Technical Safety BC)

Technical Safety BC is urging owners, operators, and those who work with ammonia refrigeration systems to be more vigilant following an investigation into a fatal ammonia incident at an ice making facility in the Mount Paul Industrial Park located on Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc reserve in Kamloops, B.C.

The incident on May 26, 2022, led to a significant amount of ammonia being released into the surrounding area resulting in one fatality, multiple exposures, a local evacuation, and the temporary shutdown of nearby businesses.

Technical Safety BC’s incident investigation report found the primary cause of the incident was a failure to remove ammonia from the refrigeration system ahead of its disassembly. The investigation concluded that the ammonia release occurred when a ball valve holding back pressurized ammonia for the entire system was opened. However, those working on the disassembly understood the system had been previously emptied.

Between the initial shut down in 2015, and the incident in 2022, organizational changes, unclear communication, and incorrect assessments, were all contributing factors to the ammonia not being removed. In addition, previously cut piping and disconnected gauges identified pieces of the system as being empty. This led to the incorrect assumption that the entire ammonia system was empty, despite ammonia being found the day before the incident.

Based on the findings of this investigation, Technical Safety BC is sharing the learnings from this incident and is making three recommendations to seek improvements relating to the roles and responsibilities when dismantling refrigeration systems, and for the engagement of licensed refrigeration contractors when dismantling refrigeration equipment.

Key learnings:

• Leading up to the incident, workers unfamiliar with ammonia relied on the guidance of previously qualified refrigeration mechanics. This resulted in the work continuing when it likely would have otherwise been stopped.
• Only those with the necessary skills and knowledge should be conducting activities with hazardous work. This principle applies throughout the life cycle of regulated systems, including the stage of dismantling and decommissioning.
• Licensed contractors must validate that ammonia and oil have been removed from a system and that equipment is ready for disassembly and transportation.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that when planning for and facilitating the final shut down and disassembly of refrigeration equipment, owners and managers directly engage a licensed contractor to validate:

• ammonia and oil are removed; and
• equipment is ready for safe disassembly and transportation

It is recommended that persons who previously held, or currently hold a technical qualification do not counsel unqualified persons to do regulated work. Qualified persons are reminded that the Safety Standards Act and Regulations prohibit unauthorized persons from doing regulated work unless they are being supervised by a qualified person.

It is also recommended that Canadian Standards Association (CSA) adopt or develop requirements for the dismantling, disassembly and/or decommissioning of refrigeration systems and equipment.

technicalsafetybc.ca.