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Ag groups unite over OSHA memorandum

Ag retailers may be impacted by new regulations on anhydrous ammonia if OSHA goes through with policy changes.

In July, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a memorandum of understanding that changes a 23 year-old definition of a retail facility. Retail facilities previously were exempt from Process Safety Management Coverage if it “derived more than 50 percent of its income from direct sales of highly hazardous chemicals to the end user.” The change would apply to any facility with more than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia or 15,000 pounds of aqua ammonia.

In a letter to the U.S. House Workforce Protections Committee on Education and the Workforce, ag groups urged representatives to make OSHA withdraw the memorandum. The groups say the interpretation could cost ag retailers tens of millions of dollars to meet new requirements.

The Agricultural Retailers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, The Fertilizer Institute, National Association of Corn Growers, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, and National Grain and Feed Association are among the groups voicing concerns.