United Farmers Coop-Layfayette - Executive Summary

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            Risk Management Plan (RMP) - Combined 
                      Executive Summary 
                     United Farmers Co-op 
                     Lafayette, Minnesota 
 
 
 1. Accidental Release Prevention and Emergency Response Policies 
We at United Farmers Co-op in Lafayette 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 Lafayette Fire Department, which 
provid 
es additional emergency response expertise. 
 
 2. Stationary Source and Regulated Substances Handled 
Our facility's primary activities include support services for crop production.  We have anhydrous 
ammonia stored in a 30,000- and two 18,000-gallon tanks at our facility in Lafayette (Figure 1, 
ammonia).  The maximum amount stored is 56,100 gallons (288,690 pounds) at the maximum fill 
capacity of 85 %. 
 
We also have propane stored in a 30,000-gallon tank located at our facility in Lafayette (Figure 1, 
propane).  The maximum amount stored is 24,000 gallons (101,352 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 ammonia and propane facility.  The following details these scenarios. 
 
    3.1  Ammonia 
 
The worst case release scenario involves a catastrophic release of the entire contents of the largest 
anhydrous a 
mmonia storage tank (131,223 pounds) in gaseous form over a 10-minute period.  At 
Class F atmospheric stability, 1.5 m/s wind speed, and urban topography, the maximum distance to 
a toxic endpoint of 0.14 mg/L is 5.2 miles (Figure 2).  The estimated population within a 5.2-mile 
radius of this facility is 1,200. 
 
The alternative release scenario involves a release from an anhydrous ammonia product line.  The 
scenario involves the release of 11,993.74 pounds of ammonia in a gaseous form over a period of 
30 minutes.  Under neutral weather conditions, the maximum distance to the toxic endpoint of 0.14 
mg/L of ammonia is 0.31 mile (Figure 3).  The estimated population within a 0.31-mile radius of the 
facility is 500. 
 
    3.2  Propane 
 
The worst case release scenario involves a catastrophic release of the entire contents of the propane 
storage tank (101,352 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 e 
ndpoint of 1 psi overpressure is 0.38 
miles (Figure 2).  This amount of overpressure can cause partial demolition of houses and can result 
in serious injury to people within this distance.  The estimated population within a 0.38-mile radius 
of this facility is 800. 
 
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 0.14 mile (Figure 
3).  The estimated population within a 0.14-mile radius of this facility is 500. 
 
 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 

nited Farmers Co-op maintains a detailed record of safety information that describes the chemical 
hazards, operating parameters, and equipment designs associated with all processes. 
 
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 
United Farmers Co-op 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 . 
 
Training 
United Farmers Co-op 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 
United Farmers Co-op conducts docum 
ented maintenance checks on process equipment to ensure 
proper operation.  Maintenance checks are conducted 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. 
 
Management of Change 
Written procedures are in place at United Farmers Co-op 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 
United Farmers Co-op routinely conducts pre-startup safety reviews related to new processes and 
modifications in establish 
ed processes.  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 
United Farmers Co-op conducts compliance audits on a regular basis to determine whether the plan's 
provisions, set out under the 40 CFR part 68, are being implemented.  Any non-compliance issue 
discovered during the audit is promptly corrected. 
 
Employee Participation 
United Farmers Co-op 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 
United Farmers Co-op has had an excellent record of  
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 
United Farmers Co-op 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.
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