Fertiliser

Health and saftey

Openfield is a member of AIC (Agricultural Industries Confederation), which was formed from the FMA (Fertiliser Manufacturers Association), UKASTA (United Kingdom Agricultural Supply Trade Association) and a group of crop protection distributors.

The AIC`s role is to represent the views and interests of the fertiliser industry to governments and appropriate organisations and bodies, and to promote the proper and responsible use of fertilisers
Following the events of 9/11, the increased awareness of the potential misuse of ammonium nitrate prompted the government and the supply industry to implement new measures to ensure the safe handling and distribution of ammonium nitrate-based fertiliser
This is now being implemented in the form of the Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS)

Product Saftey Data Sheets

Each fertiliser product you use carries a PSDS (Product Safety Data Sheet) that gives infomation on its chemical properties and composition, and on potencial hazards and emergency advice. These are required for COSHH assessments. You can download them from the Fertiliser Downloads section.

Fertiliser storage and handling advise regulations and codes of practice

Do you handle or store ammonium nitrate/Hi-AN grades on your farm? if so, you must comply with various legal rules and regulations. However, these various requirements can be complex and can change subject to tonnage thresholds. For help, please, see our easy to follow matrix on the Fertiliser Downloads page.

Key and relevant legislation

Key legislation and regulation for our industry include:

The Dangerous Substances (Notification and Marking of Site) Regulations 1990
Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances (Amended) Regulations 2002 (NIHHS)
Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 (COMAH)
Planning (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 1992
The Ammonium Nitrate Materials (High Nitrogen Content) Saftey Regulations 2003

For further information, please refer to the Fertiliser Downloads page. Farmers are advised of the Fertiliser Storage and Handling Code of Practice. This is wholly endorsed by the AIC and NFU and incorporates the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) Ten Point Plan.