FOREST INDUSTRY SAFETY ACCORD
INFORMATION LEAFLET 005-0116
Urea/Adblue Storage & Handling
January 2016
Urea/Adblue Storage & Handling, Best Practice
This leaflet is based on a Tilhill Forestry Toolbox Talk.
1. Background
Urea has been used in the forest industry for over 35 years to treat stumps against the fungal butt rot
Heterobasidion annosum (formerly Fomes annosus). The solution usually contains a blue dye to indicate
which stumps have been treated and is a 37% w/v of urea.
Since 2007 Adblue has been used in HGV catalytic convertors to reduce GHG emissions. These systems
have now been introduced into some new harvesting machines. This solution can also have a blue dye
and is 32.5% w/v of urea although may not be interchangeable due to water purity issues.
For these reasons bulk urea may be found stored on harvesting sites.
Urea is not a hazardous chemical but is defined as a liquid fertiliser – LOW HAZARD.
2. Transport
Contractors should check their own insurance details.
3. Handling and Storage
If urea is stored, handled and used according to manufacturers’ instructions and EA guidelines, it poses a
minimal risk to operators and a limited risk to the environment. However, users should be aware urea
solution is very polluting to groundwater and watercourses and has caused several serious pollution
incidents from spillages at farms where it was stored and used as a liquid fertiliser.
Because urea solution contains ammonia, it is corrosive to some metals, such as copper and its alloys. If
tanks and pipework become corroded there is a higher risk of a spill that could cause pollution – which is
a breach of legislation.
Registered office: FISA, 59 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2JG
Registration number 450652
www.ukfisa.com
It is important that urea is stored in correctly labelled containers that are specifically designed and
manufactured from materials that are suitable for use with urea. The same applies to all storage ancillary
equipment, such as valves, dispensing nozzles and pipework.
Urea is soluble in water and should be kept out of surface water drainage systems that discharge to the
environment. It will not be removed in an oil separator so it is important to isolate dispensing area
drainage from the surface water system to reduce the possibility of spills and drips causing pollution.
4. PPE
If contact is likely keep your skin covered and wear either Nitrile or PVC gloves.
If splashing is likely wear eye protection to BS:EN166. Wear protective clothing if the whole container is
spilt.
5. Reduce the risk of causing pollution
The EA recommend that storage and dispensing systems are specifically designed for use with
Adblue/Urea. Some companies are proposing to supply specialist Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs)
that are delivered full and then collected when empty.
You should make sure that:
 Your container, pipework and dispensing equipment are suitable for use with urea;
 You have secondary containment for the container and ancillary equipment i.e. some sort of bund.
 The dispensing area is not near a watercourse;
 Make sure that the nozzle cannot be left in the open position i.e. lockable;
 You have a suitable spill kit in case of a spillage. Check what you need with the spill kit provider; and
 You have an emergency plan and suitable training for dealing with spillages or other accidents
6. Need more information?
Protecting the environment – The essentials for storing solid and liquid fertilisers.
http://www.nutrientmanagement.org/aic-protecting-the-environment-storing-fertilisers/
FMA Code of Practice for the prevention of Water pollution from the Storage & handling of fluid
fertiliser. http://www.nutrientmanagement.org/code-of-practice-for-fluid-fertilisers/
Please note – currently there are no specific regulations requiring you to use and
store Urea according to this good practice guidance but, if the EA believe there is a
significant environmental risk from your activities, they could use their powers
under The Anti-Pollution Works Regulations to make you do so.
FISA Information Leaflet 005-0116 – Urea/Adblue Storage & Handling, Best Practice