Amonium Nitrate Explosion

HSE has published information about a dangerous incident at a facility storing urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) fertiliser in solution. Following a tanker loading operation a UAN transfer pump was inadvertently left running. The transfer pump continued to run for several hours until an explosion occurred. Fragments were projected over an extended distance and widespread damage resulted. One fragment punctured a nearby gas oil tank resulting in a substantial loss of product.