Most accidents are due to equipment failures or human errors. These factors reinforce the fact that for each refrigerant use, and particularly those with dangerous properties, accidents must be minimized by high technical standards, good maintenance of installations and adequate training.
Several accidents involving ammonia from refrigeration plants causing severe health problems occurred recently.
In Austria, a worker performing maintenance work was severely injured by an ammonia jet in his face and eyes
In Bulgaria, fifteen workers from a dairy plant were hospitalized after being exposed to an ammonia leak. Three of them had serious injuries and probably will have to remain hospitalized for several weeks, and one worker’s hand was severely burned, which has prompted a surgical intervention
In Canada, several weeks after she inhaled ammonia leaked from an ice rink refrigeration plant where she was an instructor, a former Olympic medal skater is still suffering from severe respiratory problems, difficulties with speech, vision problems, and chronic fatigue.
In another incident two people were taken to hospital after they were exposed to ammonia. One was trapped in an elevator near the leak and suffered a serious ammonia inhalation injury; the other had an asthma attack after exposure. Both had to be taken to hospital.
In Germany, a large ammonia leak in a Meat Factory caused sixteen workers to be brought to hospital for medical investigations; four of them suffered severe respiratory damages.
In India, three workers lost their lives and another was seriously injured while carrying out maintenance work on an ammonia tank that exploded.