CAAR and Fertilizer Canada have been working intensively with two working groups under the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) B620 Technical Committee, seeking resolution to changes in the 2014 B620 and B622 standards for construction of new anhydrous ammonia nurse tanks, and increased frequency of pressure testing and visual inspection for nurse tanks.

The two Equivalency Certificates SH 10006 - Ren 5 and SH6171 - Ren 9, which allow placards on only the two long sides of a nurse tank, will expire on May 31, 2017.

An alternate interpretation of Clause 4.7 (3) in the TDG regulations may lead Nurse Tank owners to be challenged by their inspector to demonstrate that a reduced size UN 1005 placard is required.

CAAR has responded with concern regarding the proposed amendments brought forward by Fertilizer Canada to the Anhydrous Ammonia Code of Practice. A summary of CAAR’s submission outlining its recommendations and provided to Fertilizer Canada on October 1, 2015, is available here.

Transport Canada (TC) requires that, per Standard CSA B620, every facility registered to conduct anhydrous ammonia highway tank and TC portable tank testing and inspection must renew their facility certification every five years. If your facility registration with TC is invalid, you are not legally authorized to inspect and test your NH3 tanks. Please note that Safety Officer certification through CAAR’s Nurse Tank Safety Program (NTSP) does not automatically register your facility. You must register your facility directly with Transport Canada. The database of registered facilities is available at www.apps.tc.gc.ca/saf-sec-sur/3/fdr-rici/highway/tanks, and a sample facility registration form is available on the CAAR website at caar.org/services/regulatory/.

Anhydrous Ammonia: Retailer Safe Handling and TDG Certification 

Successful trainees receive: TDG (Transportation of Dangerous Goods) certificate valid for three (3) years from the date signed, confirming they are qualified to transport and handle anhydrous ammonia (Class 2.3 (8)) in a retail or distribution center setting.


Topics:

• Chemical Properties and Characteristics 
• TDG and WHMIS Regulations
• Site Safety and Security
• Transferring procedures including loading a nurse tank from a storage facility, loading a field delivery unit from a storage facility, loading from a field delivery unit to a nurse tank, and connecting a nurse tank to an applicator,
• Emergency Response
• First Aid and Personal Protection
• Theft, Crystal Meth and NH₃

This course is offered both online and through in-person training (based on demand). The training is NOT VALID until the employer signs and sends in a “hands-on check sheet” confirming the employer’s satisfaction with the trainee’s knowledge of handling of anhydrous ammonia.