How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 181 severe cases involving anhydrous ammonia since 2015. The vast majority of these incidents result in toxic exposure, which can cause immediate and lasting damage to your respiratory system.
These injuries are particularly severe because they often involve chemical burns that require hospitalization and extensive medical recovery.
How these injuries happen
Most injuries occur when anhydrous ammonia is released unexpectedly during transfer operations or equipment maintenance. Inhalation of harmful substance is the primary cause, often triggered by valve failures, hose ruptures, or improper handling of pressurized lines. When these systems fail, you are often caught in a cloud of vapor before you have time to evacuate the area.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inhalation of harmful substance | 163 |
| 2 | Flash fire | 10 |
| 3 | Exposure to harmful substance—multiple routes of exposure | 3 |
| 4 | Exposure to harmful substance through exposed tissue | 2 |
| 5 | Explosion of pressure vessel, piping, or tire | 1 |
| 6 | Exposure to harmful substances— unspecified | 1 |
| 7 | Contact with cold objects or substances | 1 |
Where injuries happen most
Manufacturing accounts for 31% of all reported ammonia incidents, largely due to the high volume of pressurized systems used in processing and refrigeration. Construction and transportation sectors also see frequent injuries, as you may handle mobile applicator equipment or large-scale storage tanks that require constant monitoring and specialized safety training.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these reports involve sudden pressure releases during valve connections or tank filling operations. You are frequently caught off guard by vapor clouds that cause immediate difficulty breathing and chemical burns to your face and chest. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your incident to determine if employer negligence played a role.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ND | Manufacturing | "An employee was removing contaminants from a low point drain on an ammonia line through a hose and into a container of water. A release of pressure from the end of the hose exposed the employee to anhydrous ammonia, resulting in chemical burns to his face, arm, and chest as well as ammonia inhalation. He was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | WI | Transportation & Warehousing | "On June 22, 2025, at approximately 4:30 PM, an employee was working in a field with knife-style anhydrous applicator equipment used to fertilize corn. The employee inhaled anhydrous ammonia. The employee had difficulty breathing and speaking. They were hospitalized with a respiratory tract injury/irritation." | |
| 2025 | IL | Wholesale Trade | "An employee opened a valve to connect lines in order to transfer anhydrous ammonia vapor from one tank to another when a vapor release occurred. The vapor contacted the employee's right arm and the right side of their face, resulting in burns." | |
| 2025 | ND | Manufacturing | "An employee was filling an ammonia nurse tank. Ammonia (NH3) released from a valve and contacted the employee's chest. The employee also inhaled ammonia vapors and was hospitalized. " | |
| 2025 | NE | Retail Trade | "An employee was working as a cashier. A carbon dioxide tank leaked CO2 and the employee experienced respiratory pain in their chest." | |
| 2024 | OH | Public Administration | "An employee was positioned at the withdrawal point of a nurse tank containing anhydrous ammonia. The employee was positioning a hand wrench at the top of the nurse tank when the wrench slipped and bumped the valve release. The anhydrous ammonia vapor released from the tank, resulting in an inhalation injury. " | |
| 2024 | SD | Manufacturing | "An employee was working in the prepack department in the chorizo area when a contractor performing work in the area cut into an anhydrous ammonia line. The employee inhaled ammonia gas, resulting in injury to the lungs and eyes. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2024 | IL | Wholesale Trade | "On February 29, 2024, at approximately 11:30 a.m., an employee was removing residual ammonia from the delivery hose at the end of the transfer hose when they were exposed to anhydrous ammonia and suffered an inhalation injury. The employee hospitalized." | |
| 2023 | WI | Manufacturing | "An employee was exposed to carbon monoxide that was leaking from a kiln. The employee lost consciousness and was hospitalized." | |
| 2023 | PA | Professional Services | "An employee was inside a trailer with a running lawn mower and sustained carbon monoxide poisoning." |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.
Frequently asked questions
Inhaling ammonia can cause severe inflammation of your respiratory tract, leading to chronic breathing difficulties or permanent lung damage. Recovery can be lengthy and require ongoing medical care. An attorney can help you document these long-term impacts to ensure your Workers' Compensation claim covers necessary future treatment.
Employers are strictly required to maintain pressurized systems and provide adequate safety equipment to prevent chemical releases. If a leak occurred because of poor maintenance, lack of training, or faulty equipment, your employer may be liable for your injuries. An attorney can help you investigate whether your workplace met these safety obligations.
Workers' Compensation typically covers your medical expenses, lost wages during recovery, and potential disability benefits if the injury causes lasting harm. Navigating these claims can be complex, especially when proving the extent of internal respiratory damage. An attorney can help you understand the full scope of benefits you are entitled to receive.
Seek immediate medical attention and ensure the incident is documented by your employer and reported to OSHA if it meets federal reporting criteria. Keep detailed records of all medical visits, diagnoses, and communications with your employer regarding the accident. An attorney can help you organize this evidence to build a strong case for your benefits.