In an ammonia incident, how and when you respond matters. The first step is always communication. Call emergency services, alert your supervisor, and/or activate the site’s emergency response plan. Never attempt to repair a leak unless you are specifically trained to do so. 

Proper PPE is your last line of defence, not your first. Rubber gloves, impermeable clothing, splash goggles, and in higher-risk situations, a respirator with organic vapour cartridges are essential to have available. If exposure occurs, immediate irrigation is critical: flush affected skin or eyes continuously for at least 15–30 minutes and remove contaminated clothing only after it’s thawed and free of frozen tissue. 

Refuge areas must be upwind and sealed from all ventilation systems. Understanding how ammonia plumes (in a “V” pattern that rises in dry air) can make the difference between safety and exposure. Workers trained to analyze wind direction and apply escape routes keep incidents from turning fatal.