Ammonium Nitrate Explosions – Learning and Applying Past Lessons

The events leading up to the tragic explosion at the Port of Beirut are still being examined, but there are lessons to be learnt from this and other similar incidents.

Such events refocus the attention of the public, regulators, and other stakeholders, including the insurance industry, on what organisations that manufacture and store ammonium nitrate can do to prevent other similar incidents.

This paper raises awareness of the risks, explores the common causes, and provides initial guidance on the documents and regulations available for the storage, handling, and transfer of ammonium nitrate.