Farmers Union Coop Assn - Groton Propane Facility - Executive Summary

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             Risk Management Plan (RMP) - Propane 
                      Executive Summary 
                   Farmers Union Coop Assn 
                     Groton, South Dakota 
 
 
 
 1. Accidental Release Prevention and Emergency Response Policies 
We at Farmers Union Coop Assn in Groton are strongly committed to employee, public, and 
environmental safety.  This commitment is an inherent part of our comprehensive accidental release 
prevention program that covers areas such as design, installation, operating procedures, maintenance, 
and employee training associated with the processes at our facility.  It is our policy to implement 
appropriate controls to prevent possible releases of regulated substances.  If such a release does 
occur, our trained emergency response personnel are at hand to control and mitigate the effects of 
the release.  We also coordinate our response efforts with the Groto 
n Fire Department, which 
provides additional emergency response expertise. 
 
 2. Stationary Source and Regulated Substances Handled 
Our facility's primary activities include support services for crop production.  We have propane  
stored in two 18,000-gallon interconnected tanks located at our facility in Groton (Figure 1).  The 
maximum amount stored is 28,800 gallons (121,622.4 pounds) at the maximum fill capacity of 80%. 
 
 3. Worst Case Release and Alternative Release Scenarios 
We utilized RMP PRO for the worst case and alternate case scenarios of the required offsite 
consequence analysis for our facility.  The following details these scenarios. 
 
The worst case release scenario involves a catastrophic release of the entire contents of the 
interconnected propane storage tanks (121,622.4 pounds) in gaseous form over a 10-minute period.  
At Class F atmospheric stability and 1.5 m/s wind speed, the maximum distance to an endpoint of 
1 psi overpressure is 0.4 miles (Figure 2).  This amoun 
t of overpressure can cause partial demolition 
of houses and can result in serious injury to people within this distance.  The estimated population 
within a 0.4-mile radius of this facility is 550. 
 
The alternative release scenario involves a 30-minute release of propane from a product line that 
contacts an ignition source and detonates, resulting in a vapor cloud explosion.  Under neutral 
weather conditions, the maximum distance to an endpoint of 1 psi overpressure is 0.12 mile (Figure 
3).  The estimated population within a 0.12-mile radius of this facility is 25. 
 
    4. General Accidental Release Prevention Program 
Our facility has taken all the necessary steps to comply with the EPA's accidental release prevention 
requirements as set forth in 40 CFR part 68.  The following sections briefly describe the elements 
of the release prevention program that is in place at our stationary source. 
Process Safety Information 
Farmers Union Coop Assn maintains a detailed record of safety inform 
ation that describes the 
chemical hazards, operating parameters, and equipment designs associated with all processes 
(Appendix D). 
 
Process Hazard Analysis 
Our facility conducts comprehensive studies to ensure that hazards associated with our processes are 
identified and controlled effectively.  Any findings from the hazard analysis are addressed in a 
timely manner. 
 
Operating Procedures 
Farmers Union Coop Assn maintains written operating procedures to ensure that activities within 
our covered processes are conducted safely.  These procedures address various modes of operation; 
the information is regularly reviewed and is readily accessible to operators involved in the processes 
(Appendix B). 
 
Training 
Farmers Union Coop Assn has a comprehensive training program in place to ensure that employees 
who are operating processes are competent in the operating procedures associated with these 
processes. 
 
Mechanical Integrity 
Farmers Union Coop Assn conducts documented maintenance checks on pr 
ocess equipment to 
ensure proper operation.  Maintenance checks are performed by qualified personnel with previous 
training in maintenance practices.  Examples of process equipment that would receive maintenance 
checks include:  pressure vessels, storage tanks, piping systems, relief and vent systems, emergency 
shutdown systems, controls, and pumps.  Any equipment deficiencies identified by the maintenance 
checks are corrected in a safe and timely manner (Appendix C). 
 
Management of Change 
Written procedures are in place at Farmers Union Coop Assn to manage changes in process 
chemicals, technology, equipment, and procedures.  Process operators, maintenance personnel or 
other employees whose job tasks are affected by a modification in process conditions are promptly 
notified of the modification and offered training to deal with it. 
 
Pre-startup Reviews 
Farmers Union Coop Assn routinely conducts pre-startup safety reviews related to new processes 
and modifications in established processe 
s.  These reviews are conducted to confirm that 
construction, equipment, and operating and maintenance procedures are suitable for safe startup prior 
to placing equipment into operation. 
 
Compliance Audits 
Farmers Union Coop Assn conducts compliance audits on a regular basis to determine whether the 
provisions of the plan, as set out under 40 CFR part 68, are being implemented.  Any non- 
compliance issue discovered during the audit is promptly corrected. 
 
Employee Participation 
Farmers Union Coop Assn truly believes that process safety management and accident prevention 
is a team effort.  Company employees are strongly encouraged to express their views concerning 
accident prevention issues and to recommend improvements.  In addition, our employees have access 
to all information created as part of the facility's implementation of the RMP particularly 
information resulting from process hazard analyses. 
 
 5. Five-year Accident History 
Farmers Union Coop Assn has had an excellent record o 
f preventing accidental releases over the last 
5 years.  Due to our stringent release prevention policies, no accidental release has occurred during 
this period. 
 
 6. Emergency Response Plan 
Farmers Union Coop Assn maintains a written emergency response plan to deal with accidental 
releases of hazardous materials.  The plan addresses all aspects of emergency response including first 
aid and medical treatment, evacuations, and notification of local emergency response agencies and 
the public (Appendix A).
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