Wal-Mart Distribution Center #6047 - Executive Summary |
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WAL-MART DISTRIBUTION CENTER #6047 Bedford, Pennsylvania RISK MANAGMENT PLAN Executive Summary 1. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE POLICIES. At this Wal-Mart Distribution Center (D. C.), we utilize anhydrous ammonia which is considered hazardous by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The properties which make ammonia valuable as a refrigerant also necessitate certain safety precautions. Wal-Mart strives to protect all its valuable resources and assets - both personnel and property. We live and have families in this community. We want to prevent exposure to all our personnel as well as nearby members of our community, existing natural resources, and the surrounding environment. It is our policy to comply with all Federal, State, and Local regulations. Through continual, accurate training and various safety devices and procedures, we work to minimize potential releases. Our emergency response program has specific procedures for accidental releases of anhydrous ammonia as well as other emergencies. We work in conjunction with the Bedford Fire Department and the Local Emergency Planning Committee to prepare for necessary notification of all affected neighbors. 2. THE STATIONARY SOURCE AND REGULATED SUBSTANCES HANDLED. The primary purpose of our facility is the temporary storage of refrigerated and frozen foods. We utilize anhydrous ammonia as the primary means for refrigeration and freezing. An outside company is used to fill our main receiver tanks. Piping then carries the ammonia to the needed refrigeration or freezing units. Access to the site is restricted to facility employees, authorized management personnel and authorized contractors. The regulated substance used at our facility is anhydrous ammonia. The maximum amount of ammonia stored at this facility is 48,000 pounds. We have the capacity for 60,000 pounds but our policy is not to exceed IIAR recommendations of 80%. 3. THE WORST CASE RELEASE SCENARIO(S) AN D THE ALTERNATIVE RELEASE SCENARIO(S), INCLUDING ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS AND MITIGATION MEASURES TO LIMIT THE DISTANCES FOR EACH REPORTED SCENARIO. Worst Case Scenario The worst case scenario would be failure of our largest receiver. Our policy restricts the maximum capacity of this 26,060 pound tank to 80% of capacity. The maximum quantity stored in this receiver is 20,888 pounds. It is assumed that the entire contents are released as a two phase flow (gas and aerosol-ALOHA). Distance to endpoint: 1.9 miles Alternative Scenario The alternative scenario would be the release of ammonia due to the failure of a pressure relief valve. The emergency alarms would signal monitoring personnel to notify a technician to take action. The maximum time of the release would be 60 minutes and maximum quantity released would be approximately 1,619 pounds of ammonia. Distance to endpoint: 0.09 miles (or 169 yards) 4. FIVE-YEAR ACCIDENT HISTORY. To date, this Wal-Mart D. C. facility has no t incurred a reportable release. 5. THE RMP MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. The management of the RMP program will be handled by the Maintenance Manager. He/She will administrate in conjunction with the Wal-Mart D. C. management and personnel. Other entities or organizations that will be coordinated with include the Bedford County Local Emergency Planning Committee and the Bedford Fire Department. 6. THE GENERAL ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION PROGRAM AND THE SPECIFIC PREVENTION STEPS. The Wal-Mart D. C. facility complies with all applicable Federal, State and Local regulations including the EPAs Accidental Release Prevention Rule. Our personnel are trained about this during our Hazard Communications Training and through access to our Written Programs. Our Refrigeration Maintenance operators receive a combination of classroom plus On-The-Job training (OJT). The ammonia system is operated, tested and maintained to the standard of International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration, the mos t stringent standards of the industry. 7. THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM. Wal-Mart D. C. has onsite Hazardous Materials trained personnel to immediately respond to adverse conditions. We have monthly meetings as well as annual certification. This helps minimize the potential of an off-site release. We work very closely with the Local Emergency Planning Committee and the Bedford Fire Department on emergency preparedness. We meet periodically with representatives of each to address any changes in the facility or any new concerns. 8. PLANNED CHANGES TO IMPROVE SAFETY. Currently, Wal-Mart D. C. trains and tests all refrigeration technicians. Our preventative maintenance program is above standard and our total ammonia Process Safety Program is reviewed annually and updated periodically. Our program is improved continuously through annual updated of our written program and annual training of our technicians. We also take advantage of new technologies when safer and more econom ical alternatives are available. In December of 1999, Wal-Mart D. C. is implementing the IIAR training protocol for their refrigeration technicians. The program consists of classroom training, viewing various training/safety videos and written testing procedures. The training will be conducted on at least an annual basis. |