Civil Safety

Ammonia used in the mineral fertilizer production process of AB Lifosa is classified as hazardous to human health. Under normal conditions, ammonia is a colorless gas soluble in water with a characteristic pungent smell. Ammonia is stored in the company's factory in extremely safe, strictly protected and maintained containers. To ensure production safety, AB Lifosa carries out thorough accident and incident prevention, and regularly conducts emergency response exercises.

It is important to be aware of, that during accidents, ammonia can escape from containers and contaminate the environment. Ammonia gas is lighter than air, whereas the ammonia-air mixture can explode even from a spark. Ammonia is toxic: if inhaled, causes burns. Ammonia vapor irritates wet skin surface; in case of contact with eyes, irritates mucous membrane of eyes and causes watery eyes. Very toxic to aquatic organisms.

The company has prepared an internal emergency plan and implemented an incident and accident warning scheme for employees and residents. There are appointed persons responsible for transmission of accident reports to Kėdainiai municipality, residents, state institutions.

Notification of the population in case of an accident at the company

If during an accident ammonia is released to the environment, a responsible person of the company (Shift Manager of the Energy Department, i.e., Dispatcher) in compliance with the Notification Scheme described in the Internal Emergency Plan of the company shall switch on the centrally controlled sirens and inform by phone the following:

• Enterprises situated nearby
• Director and Civil Protection Officer of Kėdainiai District Municipality Administration
• Media - UAB Balticum TV

Further decisions on notification of the population shall be made by the Chairman of the Extreme Situations' Commission under Kėdainiai District Municipality - Director of the Municipality Administration.

What concerns the accident having occurred, the following information shall be provided:

• Accident character, place and time
• Amount of ammonia released to the environment
• Supposed spreading area (sector and depth) of the accident and possible consequences
• Measures to be taken by the citizens and instructions how to act.

Things the citizens of the district must know

After hearing civil protection warning "Chemical Hazard" (supposed hazard of air contamination by ammonia), the citizens shall stay calm, prepare personal protective equipment, listen to the instructions given by the local officials over "Balticum TV" Kedainiai regional program unit channel, over the speakers of fire safety and rescue service vehicles and/or police vehicles and execute them.

The most effective protection against poisoning with ammonia vapor is immediate departure from the contaminated area using private, corporate or public transport. The contaminated area shall be left moving by the ways specified in the notification or by the ways going perpendicular to the wind direction at the present moment.
The citizens are advised to reach the centers of local district authorities where support/information is provided.
If no immediate emergency evacuation is possible, the citizens shall stay in sealed premises. The aforesaid premises shall be sealed thoroughly, i.e., outside/inside doors, windows, air vents shall be closed. Ventilation openings of the premises shall be sealed with paper or a special film. Gas and electricity shall be turned off, water valves shall be shut off.
Animals and birds shall be locked in the barns. Doors, windows and apertures of the farms and household buildings shall be sealed as well.
After hearing the civil protection warning, inform your family members, neighbors, co-workers, and make sure that they have heard the warning message. If you need help, call the general emergency number 112.
The best protection against gaseous ammonia is ensured by gasmasks with "K" type filters. If the aforementioned gasmasks are not available, cotton-wool/gauze respirators or thick soft cloths moistened with 5% citric acid solution or pure water may be used for a short period of time. Gasmasks and other protective equipment shall be used just for short-term protection against the contaminated air.
Execute the instructions and requirements given by emergency or special services.

First aid measures in case of poisoning with ammonia vapor

In case of inhalation of ammonia vapor, remove the casualty to fresh air immediately, keep warm and at rest. If not breathing or breathing is irregular, provide artificial respiration.
After skin contact with ammonia, remove all contaminated clothes and rinse the skin with plenty of water, thaw frosted parts with lukewarm water carefully.
After contact with eyes, immediately flush the eyes with a gentle stream of water. Flush at least for 5-10 minutes.
Rinse the mouth and throat with water.
In all cases, seek medical attention immediately.

For the attention of managers of companies!

All the employees of the industrial companies located in Kėdainiai district and neighboring AB Lifosa shall have the gasmasks with "K" type filters available in order to be able to stop the production process and leave the dangerous area in case of hearing warning "Chemical Hazard".

If there are not enough gas-masks available for all the employees in the contaminated area, the gas-masks should be first given to the persons who have to stay at the facilities for the longer period of time in order to carry out the emergency stop of the equipment.

Preparedness to emergency response to accidents

Through implementation of the prevention program of the accidents that may cause a direct or delayed hazard to the population and environment, AB Lifosa commits to prepare technical aids, organizes training for employees as well as practical training for company personnel, emergency services and special services of Kėdainiai district.

Pursuant to the Internal Emergency Plan of the company, for rectification of the consequences of an accident emergency services of the company and special services of Kėdainiai district are called, whereas the actions thereof are coordinated by the Operations Centre of Extreme Situations.

Contacts for more detailed information

In the production processes, AB Lifosa uses a range of different substances including hazardous ones. Pursuant to Resolution No. 913 "Provisions on the Industrial Accidents Prevention, Dealing with the Consequences and Investigation of Accidents" of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, all hazardous substances used by AB Lifosa have been assessed in various aspects and the Safety Report consisting of the following items has been prepared:

• Description of the environment of the hazardous object
• Description of the equipment
• Description of hazardous substances
• Identification of the accident hazards, risk assessment analysis and safety measures
• Preventive measures for mitigating or limiting the consequences of an accident

For more details related to the Safety Report items, please contact the Head of the Production Department of the company by phone +370 347 66483.

For the issues on civil protection, the residents may contact the Head of the Fire Safety and Civil Protection Department by phone +370 347 66004 and the Office Administration Department by phone +370 347 66483.

If you would like to take a look at an external plan specifying the ways to eliminate the consequences of an accident and setting out the measures to be taken in Kėdainiai district in case of an accident at AB Lifosa, please contact the Senior Expert of Civil Protection and Fire Safety at Kėdainiai District Municipality Administration by phone +370 347 69503.

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