Burris Refrigerated Logistics, New Castle De. - Executive Summary

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                                                    PROCESS HAZARD ANALYSIS 
 
                                                                   PURPOSE: 
 
  To ensure a controlled and safe workplace by identifying hazards.  This type of analysis applies to and is required for every hazardous (toxic & reactive) chemical listed in section 1910.119. 
 
          Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) shall include, but is not limited to the following items: 
 
1. The hazards of each process; both chemical and mechanical hazards should be noted. 
 
2.  Identification / examples of previous incidents which did, or could have become, catastrophic. 
 
3. The used or site available chemical detection methods. 
 
4. Consequences of loss of system / process control.  Factors causing loss of control should include both operator and mechanical error / malfunction. 
 
                                                                 REQUIREMENTS: 
 
I. Employer shall perform an initial PHA on all ammonia equipment.  P 
HA's shall be done as soon as possible and in order of relative danger to personnel and equipment that a failure would cause (Required schedule is 100% complete by May 26, 1994). 
 
II. The employer shall use one or more generally accepted methodologies to evaluate the process hazards: What If / Checklist, Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Fault Tree Analysis, or other appropriate equivalent methodology. 
 
III. The PHA shall address: 
 
A. Hazards of the process. 
B. Identification of any previous incident which did or had a likely potential for causing catastrophic consequences in the workplace. 
C. Engineering and administrative controls applicable to the process (controls, alarms, detection equipment, etc.) 
D. Consequences of failure. 
E. Facility siting. 
F. Human factors.G. Qualitative evaluation of the range of safety and health effects of failure of controls. 
IV.  PHA shall be performed by a team with expertise in engineering and process ope 
rating and the PHA methodology being used. 
 
V. The employer shall promptly address the team's findings and recommendations and document actions taken or scheduled to be completed.  The employer shall communicate any changes to all affected employees and update any relevant information (operating procedures, training, etc., refer to Management of Change section). 
 
VI. Review and update PHA for the entire system on a regular basis, not more than five (5) years. 
 
VII. Retain PHA information and updates along with all supporting documentation for the life of the process. 
 
                                                       PROCESS HAZARD ANALYSIS 
                                                          Content of Hazard Analysis 
 
  A process hazard analysis comprises three parts: 1) preparation (Operating Procedures P & ID's, PSI, etc.), 2) conducting the hazard analysis (PHA Worksheet), and 3) follow-up actions resulting from the hazard analysis (PHA Action Items). 
 
  The preparat 
ory phase for a process hazard analysis requires the gathering of date, drawings, procedures and formation of a team.  Typically, each of the acceptable methods will require up-to-date process flow diagrams, piping and instrumentation drawings, and data regarding process materials and conditions.  Certain hazard analysis techniques may require additional, more detailed materials. 
 
  The hazard analysis is conducted with the clear goal of identifying potential hazards.  Recommendations may be made with the intent of reducing or eliminating a potential hazard .  Items of concern also may be identified for further, more detailed study. 
 
  The follow-up phase involves evaluating the proposed recommendations to determine the appropriate course of action. the action taken may include: 
 
1.  Accepting and implementing the recommendations as made; 
2.  Accepting  the recommendations in principle but developing an alternative approach to meet the intent; or 
3.  Accepting the current situation a 
nd not implementing the recommendation.  The current situation may be the course of action taken if there appears to be no technically feasible solution for the situation identified, if any recommendation considered would pose additional, more serious hazards, or if it is determined that the reduction in risk is not significant enough to justify implementing any recommendation.  Implementing engineering and/or administrative controls may be used to reduce the risk of hazard. 
 
  Further study may be required to determine if certain hazards identified are indeed significant to exposed workplace employees.  This further study initially may require a more detailed hazard analysis, possibly with a different technique from the group of approved methods, followed by a consequence analysis that will more precisely evaluate the consequences of the potential hazards. 
 
   The type of consequence analysis required will depend upon the identified potential hazards.  For example, hazard involving  
fires may require evaluation of thermal radiation effects, where toxic release may require the use of vapor dispersion models along with toxicology effect models. 
 
    The follow-up phase of a process hazard analysis is often an iterative process whereby the hazard analysis and/or consequence evaluations are redone as required to ensure that potential hazards are minimized. 
                                             PROCESS HAZARD ANALYSIS 
                                                       Analysis Findings 
 
  After a study has been conducted, the findings and recommendations of the study must be addressed.  For this to be done systematically, a system should be established that covers the following: 
 
1.  Ensures that each recommendation is resolved in a timely manner and that the resolution is documented; 
 
2.  Documents the proposed remedial measures or actions undertaken with respect to their recommendations; 
3.  Completes actions as soon as possible; 
 
4.  Develops a writte 
n schedule of when these actions are to be completed; and 
 
5.  Informs operating, maintenance and other employees who may be effected by the identified potential hazards and the recommendations and/or actions taken. 
 
    Recommendations often are made in a hazard that require more detailed evaluation.  Additional engineering or procedural review may determine that the recommendations are not feasible, are not desirable, or that other, more appropriate changes should be made.  Such determinations do not invalidate the study, but must be weighed carefully in light of the identified potential hazard.  All decisions regarding recommendation, and whether to implement them, should be fully documented.  Such documentation should include the decision, reasons for the decision, planned implementation and final completion dates.  Unnecessary questions of liability may arise if an incident occurs regarding a recommendation that was not implemented, without proper review and documentation to just 
ify the decision. 
 
   OSHA has said that when responding to the team's findings and recommendations, the employer retains the flexibility to not only reject proposals that are erroneous or infeasible, but also to modify a recommendation that may not be as protective as possible or may be no more protective than a less complex or expensive measure.  OSHA's position is that an employer is required to implement the team's findings and recommendations except to the extent an employer can document that an alternative will be at least as effective or efficient in addressing the safety concerns. 
 
   Once action has been taken based upon the recommendations, resulting in either process modifications, new or revised procedures, or both, employees who work in the facility should be properly informed of these changes.  This communication may be handled as part of the standard's requirements for refresher training. 
 
     Once proposed, evaluated and determined appropriate, recommendations shoul 
d be implemented in a timely fashion.  Recommendations that can be implemented without major shutdowns of the process should be done at the earliest opportunity.  Recommendations that require a facility shutdown may need to wait until the next scheduled process turnaround.  In establishing a schedule for implementation, consideration should be given to the likelihood and severity of the potential hazard.  Recommendations associated with high likelihood and/or severity scenarios should be given a higher priority than recommendations associated with less hazardous scenarios. Regulated Substance Handled 
 
    Burris Refrigerated Logistics ( New Castle, De.) located, 600 Center Point Blvd.  Is a public cold storage / frozen food facility. The prime Refrigerant used is Anhydrous Ammonia in a closely controlled and monitored environment. The Refrigeration system is Computer controlled with built in safeguards which is monitored 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year. The facility has personal "on cal 
l" at all times that are trained and qualified to handle any emergency situation that may arise. The system is monitored in each Room that the process takes place by a computer linked detection system.   
    Ammonia is a self-alarming substance with a distinctive pungent odor. Due to this odor, persons exposed to ammonia vapor will not voluntarily stay in areas of even small concentrations (these concentrations would not result in health risks). The Department of Transportation classifies ammonia as a non-flammable. Ammonia will burn however, but only in a very narrow and high range of concentration with high temperature.  
    The U.S. Occupational and Health Administration (OSHA) has made a determination on the permissible exposure of ammonia to people. The maximum allowable exposure for eight hours is 50 PPM (parts per million).  
 
 
Worst case Scenario 
 
    The worst case scenario of ammonia spill at the New Castle. facility was chosen to be a vessel rupture. We have conducted our  
own modeling as guidance for this report. The RMP Ammonia Program Plan document was closely followed to ensure compliance. 
    As a result we have found that should a catastrophic incident occur. There would be very limited private residences in the areas of release. 
The businesses that would be effected in the immediate area are on a "call list" and would be contacted by a designated person if an emergency would occur during normal business hours. The worst case release of Anhydrous Ammonia would come from a rupture of the high pressure vessel that is located in the machine room. The amount of the release in the study was 5,000 pounds. The release rate is 500 pounds of ammonia per minute in a ten-minute period. With a 1.5 MPH wind. The distance to the end point equals .3 mile. There are no Schools, Hospitals, Prisons, or Recreation areas within the scope of this model. There are however, Office and industrial Buildings in the effected area. Along with the consideration to public rece 
ptors. Environmental considerations are. National and state parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and federal wilderness areas.  None of the Environmental Considerations listed above are a factor in this report.  
 
                                                       Alternative release Scenario 
 
    The alternative release scenario of Anhydrous Ammonia at the  New Castle, DE. Facility was chosen to be a rupture from a pipe. We have conducted our own modeling as guidance for this report using the same guidelines as in the Worst case scenario.  
    The conclusion of this study has found the same results as in the Worst case scenario. The amount of release that is used is 2  pounds. The rate of release is .2 lbs./min. And the release duration is 100 minutes. The wind speed is 1.5 MPH. This resulted in an endpoint of contaminated area of .10 mile.  
   The type of mitigation that would be used is as follows:  
3. Neutralization 
2. Emergency Shutdown Systems 
 
 
 
 
 
                     Five Year History 
 
    Due to our planned maintenance system, An Audit that is conducted quarterly by Corporate Engineering, And the knowledge and training of the engineering department at Burris Refrigerated Logistics, New Castle, DE. There have been no accidental releases of Anhydrous Ammonia from this location in the past five years. Or since the facility was opened in 1991. 
 
 
                                                 Emergency response Program 
 
    The emergency response program at this facility is a current and ongoing process. 
1.  Evacuation drills are conducted annually. This requires the participation of all employees.   
2.  The call list to surrounding businesses along with the designated person to make the calls is in place. 
3.  Alarms and automated computer controlled safety's are in place. 
4.  Response personal are in the process of becoming compliant with the HAZWOOPER training required by law. 
 
 
 
  Planned Changes to Improve Safety 
 
    Since Safety is an ongoing concern at Burris Refrigerated Logistics. We are doing all that we can to keep our employees current and up to date with any new laws or procedures that become effective. Keeping the "information highway" open is the best way we feel to stay current with any new laws or new ideas that an employee may have to improve safety.
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