New load-outs completed at Agrium NH3 terminal

Marseilles, Ill.-Agrium Inc. announced in late March that new load-outs under construction since last fall at its Marseilles, Ill., ammonia terminal are now ready for use. The company issued a notice on March 29 alerting customers to certain changes in rules and policies for ammonia loading as a result. One of the biggest changes, Agrium said, is that drivers will now be responsible for connecting/disconnecting to the loading racks, while operators will continue controlling the starting/stopping of pumps and metering. Agrium said Marseilles staff plans to train and provide oversight for each driver three times “before turning them loose on their own. We are still evaluating the best way to address this and it will likely be a card that we punch after each training session or a roster where we track drivers and the number of times they have been trained,” the notice said. Another change, Agrium reported, is to the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements. The minimum PPE requirements for a driver to load ammonia at Marseilles now include long sleeved shirt and pants, hard hat, chemical gloves, chemical goggles, face shield, and leather boots. In addition, Agrium said the use of chemical aprons and respirators is also encouraged. “All drivers should have the required PPE with them prior to coming on-site,” the notice said. “We are expecting a busy spring season and will not be able to loan out equipment to those who don’t have it. The operators will strictly enforce the PPE requirements and will not make exceptions.” Agrium noted as well that it is discontinuing the use of hammers at the site, and has purchased several spanner wrenches and O-rings to be used in place of hammers. The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) cards and the security passes at the site are unchanged. Agrium said the Marseilles terminal “is very interested in feedback as the season progresses,” and the company will track suggestions/comments and look for opportunities for improvement. The company said it is also making available photos of the new load-outs and scheduling site visits for drivers who are interested. Inquiries can be made to Bryce Currie, terminal supervisor.