The ammonia release at Potchefstroom, S.A., in 1973 - some observations on the emergency response

摘要

In 1973, a major release (estimated at a total of 38 tonnes) of anhydrous ammonia occurred at a fertiliser plant in Potchefstroom, South Africa. There were 18 fatalities. A previous LPB article referred briefly to this accident in the context of the hazards of ammonia and how to guard against them. In this article, the authors offer some comments on the emergency response to the accident, without prejudice to the actions taken at the time, to illustrate how present-day practice, standards, legislation etc may help to alleviate the effects of similar accidents.