TFI promotes tank safety in wake of spill

Washington-The Fertilizer Institute on July 21 announced that it is undertaking efforts to promote industry guidelines designed to ensure the safety of aboveground storage tanks of liquid fertilizer. The Aboveground Storage Tanks of Liquid Fertilizer – Recommended Inspection Guidelines were developed by TFI in 2001 following several failures of large, non-pressurized liquid fertilizer tanks. TFI said its current efforts to enhance awareness of the guidelines are in response to a recommendation by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) that was issued in its May 2009 investigation report (GM June 1, p. 1) regarding the liquid fertilizer tank failure that occurred in Chesapeake, Va., in November 2008 (GM Nov. 12, 2008). “TFI is strongly committed to product stewardship, such as the aboveground storage tank guidelines, that enhance the safe handling and storage of fertilizers,” said TFI President Ford B. West. “We are pleased that the CSB has recognized the value of our guidelines by recommending that we continue to promote them as an industry best practice among our members.” The TFI guidelines, which were developed by the Tank Integrity Working Group, comprised of TFI’s membership, suggest that large, aboveground storage tanks of liquid fertilizer meet two standards developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API) to ensure adequate safety measures in their construction, inspection, repair, and alteration. “The guidelines incorporate the knowledge and experience of fertilizer industry members, as well as expertise from technical personnel that are responsible for creating standards that apply to all industries that utilize large storage tanks,” said West. “TFI is confident that these guidelines, used in conjunction with site specific considerations, provide the tools necessary to ensure the safe storage of liquid fertilizers within aboveground storage tanks.” TFI said it will partner with state and regional agribusiness associations to further increase awareness of the guidelines, and also invited the CSB to conduct presentations at meetings attended by industry members, including the National Agronomic Environmental Health and Safety School.