Farmers Union Coop Oil Company - Executive Summary

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            Risk Management Plan (RMP) - Combined 
                      Executive Summary 
                Farmers Union Coop Oil Company 
                      Luverne, Minnesota 
 
 
 1. Accidental Release Prevention and Emergency Response Policies 
We at Farmers Union Coop Oil Company in Luverne 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 Luverne Fire Department, wh 
ich 
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 anhydrous 
ammonia stored in a 26,000-gallon tank at our facility in Luverne (Figure 1, ammonia).  The 
maximum amount stored is 22,100 gallons (113,726.6 pounds) at the maximum fill capacity of 85%. 
 
We also have propane stored in a 30,000-gallon tank located at our facility in Luverne (Figure 1, 
propane).  The maximum amount stored is 25,500 gallons (107,686.5 pounds) at the maximum fill 
capacity of 85%. 
 
 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 
anhydrous ammonia  
storage tank (113,726.6 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 4.8 miles (Figure 2).  The estimated population within a 4.8-mile 
radius of this facility is 5,000. 
 
The alternative release scenario involves a release from an anhydrous ammonia product line.  The 
scenario involves the release of 7,616.42 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 2,000. 
 
           3.2     Propane 
 
The worst case release scenario involves a catastrophic release of the entire contents of the propane 
storage tank (107,686.5 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 is0.38 
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 2,000. 
 
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 40. 
 
 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 Infor 
mation 
Farmers Union Coop Oil Company 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 
Farmers Union Coop Oil Company 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 
Farmers Union Coop Oil Company 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 Integrit 

Farmers Union Coop Oil Company conducts documented 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 Farmers Union Coop Oil Company 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 Oil Company routinely conducts pre-startup saf 
ety reviews related to new 
processes and modifications in established 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 
Farmers Union Coop Oil Company 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 
Farmers Union Coop Oil Company 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 analyse 
s. 
 
 5. Five-year Accident History 
Farmers Union Coop Oil Company 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 
Farmers Union Coop Oil Company 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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