Rural reform Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs General Office issued 

Technical Guidelines for Risk Prevention and Control of Livestock and Poultry Waste Disposal Operations in Limited Space (Trial)

　　In recent years, all parts of the country have vigorously promoted the utilization of livestock and poultry waste resources, and the equipment of livestock and poultry farms (households) waste treatment facilities has been continuously improved, and the concept of green development of animal husbandry has gained popularity. However, with the increase in the number of limited Spaces such as waste treatment facilities, the risks such as gas poisoning faced by livestock and poultry waste treatment are becoming increasingly prominent. In order to effectively improve practitioners' awareness of safe production of manure treatment, guide the establishment of a source risk prevention and control mechanism, effectively respond to emergencies, and strictly prevent casualties, the Ministry has formulated the Technical Guide for Risk Prevention and Control of Livestock and Poultry Manure Treatment Limited Space Operations (Trial). It is now issued to you, please follow the implementation, and increase training and publicity in accordance with the actual situation, to ensure the safety of life and property of livestock and poultry breeding practitioners.

　　General Office of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

February 25th, 2025

Technical Guidelines for Risk Prevention and Control of Livestock and Poultry Waste Disposal Operations in Limited Space (Trial)

　　1.Scope of application

　　This guide is applicable to livestock and poultry farms (households) engaged in livestock and poultry waste disposal operations with limited space.

　　2. Formulation basis

 （GB 12358）Production Safety Law of the People's Republic of China

Animal Husbandry Law of the People's Republic of China

Regulations on Pollution Prevention and Control of Large-scale Livestock and Poultry Breeding

Livestock and Poultry Environment and Waste Management Terms (GB 25171)

Safety Regulations for Hazardous Operation of Hypoxia (GB 8958)

Safety Helmet for Head Protection (GB 2811)

Safety Rope for Fall Protection (GB 24543)

Long Tube Respirator for Respiratory Protection (GB 6220)

General Technical Requirements for Environmental Gas Detection and Alarm Devices in Workplaces (GB 12358)

　　3.definition

　　Limited space for livestock and poultry manure treatment: livestock and poultry farms (households) are built during the treatment of livestock and poultry manure, closed or partially closed, relatively isolated from the outside world, narrow entrances and exits, poor natural ventilation, easy to cause toxic and harmful, flammable and explosive substances accumulation or oxygen content is insufficient space. Including oxidation pond, septic tank, biogas pond and other livestock liquid manure storage facilities, closed manure treatment workshop, vertical aerobic fermenter and other livestock and poultry solid manure storage facilities.

　　4.Risk category

　　(1) Gas hazards

　　Toxic and hazardous gas poisoning risk. Livestock and poultry manure fermentation will produce hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and other toxic and harmful gases. Hydrogen sulfide concentrations above 10mg/m³ can cause harm to the human body, above 150mg/m³ can cause permanent damage to the human body, and above 1390mg/m³ can cause sudden death (" electroshock "death). Ammonia concentrations above 30mg/m³ can cause harm to the human body, above 430mg/m³ can cause permanent damage to the human body, and above 1750mg/m³ can be life-threatening.

　　Combustible gas detonation risk. Anaerobic fermentation of livestock and poultry manure produces methane, which may explode in the case of open fire or static electricity when the concentration reaches 5% to 15% in a limited space.

　　Anoxic asphyxia risk. Livestock manure fermentation will consume oxygen, resulting in reduced oxygen content in limited space, oxygen content below 17% will cause breathing difficulties, less than 9% in a short period of time can lead to loss of consciousness, and even death.

　　(2) Physical hazard

　　Drowned. In the limited space, the liquid manure level of livestock and poultry is high, and drowning accidents may occur during personnel operation.

　　Falling from high places. The limited space is high, and the personnel may fall from the height during operation.

　　Mechanical injury. If there are operating mechanical equipment in a limited space, mechanical injuries may occur during personnel operation.

　　5.Risk and hidden danger

　　In the case of not ensuring safety, entering a limited space for discharging, clearing, and maintenance.

　　Unauthorized entry into a limited space without taking effective protective measures.

　　Use fire sources in confined Spaces and in close proximity.

　　The limited space cover plate is loose, the covering is damaged, the surrounding fence is not used, and the explosion-proof light is not used.

　　The temporary replacement of the operator during the operation did not carry out safety disclosure.

　　6.Risk prevention

　　(1) Preparation before operation

　　Keep good supplies in reserve. Be equipped with safety helmet, safety rope, air breathing apparatus and other necessary protective equipment. Check whether the supplies are available before operation. Conditional farms (households) can be equipped with portable gas detection equipment.

　　Do a good job of personnel training. Safety training should be conducted regularly for limited space operators, focusing on limited space hazards, safe operation norms, use of protective equipment, emergency rescue knowledge, etc.

　　Do a good job plan. The operation plan shall be formulated in an appropriate manner, and the operation responsibilities, operation time, risk assessment results, safety protection measures and emergency rescue plans shall be clearly defined.

　　Good security disclosure. Emphasis should be placed on the safety disclosure before the operation and the exchange of operators, and the receiver should be clearly informed of the dangerous situation, safety measures, emergency rescue and other information on the operation site.

　　(2) Protection in operation

　　Ventilate well. Before and during operation, the limited space should be fully ventilated continuously to ensure that the concentration of relevant gases in the working environment reaches the safe production threshold before operation. For the limited space with poor ventilation, mechanical ventilation should be preferred.

　　Do gas detection. After ventilation, detection equipment or other applicable methods should be used to detect the gas concentration in the limited space, focusing on hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, methane, oxygen and other gases. Only when the gas concentration meets the safety production requirements can the limited space be operated.

　　Take good safety precautions. When working in limited space, personnel should properly wear and use protective equipment such as air breathing apparatus, safety rope and hard hat. Facilities such as safety isolation guardrail should be set up around the operation to strictly prevent irrelevant personnel from entering.

　　Do on-site monitoring. During the operation, 2 or more special personnel should be set up for on-site monitoring, pay close attention to the condition of the operators, keep the information smooth, and immediately carry out scientific rescue when abnormal.

　　(3) Post-job recovery

　　Do a headcount. After the end of the operation, the number of operators should be counted in time to ensure that all personnel safely evacuate the limited space.

　　Clean up the scene. Remove the safety isolation facilities set up during the operation and restore the limited space and surrounding environment to its original state.

　　7.Emergency disposal

　　(1) Make emergency plans

　　Livestock and poultry farms should formulate emergency rescue plans. The focus includes emergency organizations, responsibilities of rescue workers, emergency relief materials, rescue response processes, etc., and regular exercises are carried out according to the actual situation.

　　Livestock and poultry farmers should take the initiative to understand the risks of limited space operation, retain the contact information of the local emergency center, and negotiate with the practitioners or guardians before operation to agree on communication signals and emergency rescue methods to ensure that abnormal situations are detected in time and emergency rescue is carried out accurately.

　　(2) Carry out emergency rescue

　　In the event of a limited space operation accident, the guardian should immediately start the emergency plan, timely report to the person in charge of the enterprise, the cooperative or the head of the household, and dial 119, 120 for emergency assistance. People rescued should be sent to the nearest medical institution for treatment as soon as possible.

　　Rescue workers rescue, as far as possible to take a limited space outside the rescue, really need to enter the rescue, to take mechanical ventilation mode of continuous forced ventilation in the limited space, to ensure their own safety, wear the necessary protective equipment before the rescue can be carried out, is strictly prohibited blind rescue.

     (Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs)