How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 181 severe cases involving anhydrous ammonia over the past decade. The vast majority of these incidents resulted in toxic or allergenic effects, which often require immediate hospitalization and long-term respiratory monitoring.
These injuries are uniquely dangerous because they frequently cause severe chemical burns and respiratory tract irritation that can lead to permanent lung damage or chronic breathing difficulties.
Exposed to ammonia? Check what benefits you may be owed.
Check My BenefitsHow these injuries happen
Most injuries occur when anhydrous ammonia is released unexpectedly from pressurized systems. Inhalation of harmful substances is the primary cause, often triggered by valve failures, hose ruptures during transfer, or leaks in storage tanks. When these systems fail, the gas can rapidly contact your skin or be inhaled, causing immediate and severe physical trauma.
| 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 severe ammonia incidents, as these facilities rely heavily on large-scale cooling and processing systems. Construction and transportation sectors also see high injury rates due to the frequent handling of pressurized applicator equipment and the transport of volatile chemical tanks.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these reports involve sudden pressure releases during routine maintenance or tank filling operations. You are often caught off guard when a valve fails or a hose disconnects, leading to direct contact with the gas or inhalation of concentrated vapors. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you secure the benefits you deserve.
| 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.