EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
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1. Padriac Durham at the start of the white out drill.
2. Andrew Perks examines a new protective suit demonstrated by Rigardt du Plessis of GEA Africa.
draining oil or replacing valves. In the
case of emergencies, masks, suits and
self-contained breathing apparatus are
required.
Durham showed the steps in fitting
the most basic mask and getting all
the straps equally tightened to ensure
a full seal between mask and face.
Gideon Malherbe of A Perks Enterprises
demonstrated a self-contained
breathing apparatus with cylinder and
mask. Using a self-contained apparatus
certainly requires training and is a
requirement of SANS10147 for sites with
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ammonia charges in excess of 500kg.
Slip-on masks without straps and a
new full body productive suit were also
demonstrated.
FIRST AID PROCEDURES
First aid procedures with ammonia differ
from standard procedures. Flushing with
water to remove ammonia that has
come in contact with parts of the body,
is paramount and the location of the
regulatory emergency shower became
a topic of discussion. Although showers
are normally located outside the plant
room, if the release was heavy and from
the plant room, it would be impractical
or impossible to shower in a cloud of
ammonia.
Having the characteristics of ammonia,
safe exposure limits, safety equipment,
and possible causes for failures, the
workshop was required to draft an
emergency management plan (EMP).
With an aerial photo of the Italian Club,
the impact of an ammonia release on the
neighbouring areas could be mapped
out. Each of the EMPs of the group
were analysed and acted in theory. In
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
analysing the EMPs, the importance of
preparedness and to have one incident
controller in the event of an emergency
was evident.
NOTHING TO FEAR
The workshop certainly instilled
confidence in the attendees that with
proper training and adhering to safety
procedures, ammonia refrigeration
systems are not to be feared and have
far-reaching efficiency benefits with the
least direct and indirect impact on the
environment. CLA
COLD LINK AFRICA • June 2019