The Doe Run Company - Fletcher Facility - Executive Summary |
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Executive Summary for Risk Management Plan The Doe Run Company - Fletcher Facility Anhydrous sulfur dioxide is used in adjusting the pH of solutions during the benefication of copper bearing ore at The Doe Run Company Fletcher milling facility. This adjustment aids the separation of copper bearing material from the other components of the solution. Sulfur dioxide is used because it is the most effective and efficient reagent for this purpose. Certain safety precautions must be observed when handling and storing sulfur dioxide to prevent human exposure, to reduce the threat to our own personal health as well as our co-workers, to reduce the hazard to nearby members of the surrounding communities, and to reduce the threat to the environment. It is our policy to adhere to all applicable Federal, state and local rules and regulations. Safety depends upon the manner in which we handle and store the sulfur dioxide combined with the safety devices inherent in the design of the storage vessel and surrounding process equipment plus the adequate training of our personnel. The primary function of The Doe Run Company's mill facilities is to process the raw ore extracted from the ground into lead, zinc and copper concentrate. Sulfur dioxide is only used when the copper concentrate is being made. Copper concentrate constitutes approximately two and one-half percent of the total concentrate production at The Doe Run Company mills. Sulfur dioxide is delivered to the mills via a tanker truck and stored in one tank located at the mill. Access to the mill facilities is restricted to authorized company employees and company management personnel. The regulated substance stored at this facility is anhydrous sulfur dioxide. The maximum amount of sulfur dioxide stored at this facility at any on time is 145,314 pounds. Worst-case scenario - Complete failure of the single sulfur dioxide tank would result in a release of 145,314 pounds of sulfur dioxide. The sulfur dioxide is stored under pressure as a liquid, but would vaporize upon contact with the air. The distance to the toxic endpoint of 7.8 micrograms per liter for the worst-case scenario would be 6.0 miles. This distance extends beyond the facility boundary and encompasses public receptors. Executive Summary for RMP - fletcher Alternative scenario - Disconnection of the delivery truck hose from the facility storage tank. The one and one-half inch hose is approximately twelve feet long. The excess flow valves function to stop the flow. The content of the hose is released, plus 3315 pounds over a period of 10 minutes. This is the amount of time required to make the appropriate response with the proper personnel protective equipment. The liquid is released and is immediately vaporized. The distance to the toxic endpoint of 7.8 micrograms per liter for the alternative release scenario is 2.5 miles. This distance extends beyond the facility boundary and impacts a minimum number of publi c receptors. This facility complies with all applicable Federal, state and local rules and regulations. The facility employees have been trained according to all Mine Safety Health Administration guidelines. Employee training, maintenance activities, and hazard reviews for this facility are conducted on an on-going basis. There have been no accidents involving sulfur dioxide at this Doe Run facility with specific onsite or offsite consequences that have been reported within the last five years. The Doe Run Company, SEMO, has in place an emergency response program called the Crises Communication Plan. The emergency response plan includes procedures for notification of the local fire authority and law enforcement officials, company officials, local political authorities, and the local media. Employees have been instructed in the specific measures to be implemented at this facility in response to an incident involving sulfur dioxide. Emergency response includes the evacuation of t he work place, if indicated, the use of self-contained breathing apparatus, and notification of appropriate company officials. The Doe Run Company, SEMO, will continue to reduce the hazards associated with the use and storage of sulfur dioxide through employee training, the use of compliance inspections and audits, maintenance procedure reviews, equipment testing, and cooperation with our suppliers to assure the safest operation possible. The Doe Run Company, SEMO intends to make every effort to "Make Tomorrow Better Than Today", whether it be in the handling of materials, protecting employee and community health and safety, or protecting the environment. |