Western Iowa Co-Op - Executive Summary

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Risk Management Plan for Western Iowa Coop 
P.O. Box 106, Hornick, Iowa 51026 
For Locations at: 
Blencoe, Correctionville, Hornick, Moville, Pierson, Sloan, Washta 
 
Executive Summary 
 
1.    Facility Policy 
 
The owners, management and employees of Western Iowa Coop are committed to the prevention of any accidental releases of anhydrous ammonia or propane.  If an accidental release should occur, the facility is prepared to work with the local fire department, or other authorities to mitigate any release and minimize the impact of the release to people and the environment. 
 
2.    Facility Information 
 
The primary activity at our anhydrous ammonia facilities is the storage and blending of fertilizers for sale to farmers.  The primary activity of our propane facilities is the storage and resale of propane to our member patrons. 
 
Anhydrous ammonia is received, stored and distributed for both direct application and for blending into mixed grade fertilizers for crop production nutrients.  Propane is  
stored and delivered to member patrons for use in heating and grain drying. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The maximum quantity of anhydrous ammonia stored (85% of capacity) varies by location: 
 
Tank Size (gallons)    Pounds 
 
Blencoe, IA        30,000            131,325                 
Correctionville, IA     25,000            109,438             
Hornick, IA        11,000             48,152 
11,000             48,152 
12,000             52,530 
Total        34,000            148,834 
 
 8,000             35,020 
 
Pierson, IA        12,000             52,350 
30,000            131,325     
Total        42,000            183,675 
 
Sloan            25,000            109,438 
 
Washta        18,000             78,795 
 
The maximum quantity of propane stored (85% of capacity) varies by location: 
 
Tank Size (gallons)    Pounds 
 
Blencoe, IA        28,000             99,996                 
Correctionville, IA     26,000             92,820             
Hornick, IA        18,000             64,260 
 
Pierson, IA        18,000             64,260 
18,000             64,260 
Total        36,000            128,520 
 
Washta        12,000             42,840 
 
Moville        18,000            64,260 
3.    The Worst Case Release Scenario and the Alternative Release Scenario.   
 
a.     The worst case release scenario for anhydrous ammonia would be the relea 
se of the total contents of a storage tank released as a gas over 10 minutes.  The maximum quantity release would be 183,675 pounds, which represents the volume of the storage tank(s) at 85 percent capacity as limited by design standards.  The distance to the endpoint (point of 200 PPM) is 2.8 miles at the location with the largest storage. 
    The worst case release scenario for propane would be the release of the total contents of a storage tank released as a gas.  The maximum quantity release would be 128,520 pounds, which represents the volume of the storage tank(s) at 85 percent capacity as limited by design standards.  The distance to the endpoint (point of 1-psi overpressure) is a maximum of .4 miles at the location with the largest storage. 
 
b.     The alternative release scenario based on the five-year history (or the most likely potential incident) is a release from a break in a transfer hose.  The distance to the endpoint for anhydrous ammonia (point of dispersion to 200 ppm) is  
8.5 miles. 
 
The alternative release scenario based on the five-year history (or the most likely potential incident) is a release from a break in a transfer hose.  The distance to the endpoint for propane (point of dispersion to 1 psi) is .3 miles. 
 
4.         Accidental Release Prevention Program. 
 
Western Iowa Coop has implemented the provisions of ASafety Requirements for the Storage and Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia, K-61.1@, published by the American National Standards Institute Inc., and the standards of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OAHA), 29 CFR 1910.111, A Storage and Handling of Anhydrous  
Ammonia@.  In addition, we comply with all applicable federal (EPA), state and local requirements. 
 
 
Western Iowa Coop has implemented the provisions of ALP-Gas Safety Handbook@, part of NFPA-58, 1998 Edition, as well as applicable portions of the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) Certified Training Program and safety bulletins, and the EPA=s accident prevention po 
licies. In addition, we comply with all applicable, state and local requirements. 
 
5.           The Five Year Accident History 
 
Western Iowa Coop has had one accidental release of anhydrous ammonia in the past five years. 
 
- 12-24-98: 118,450 pounds were released; the town of Blencoe was evacuated. This incident occurred when a railroad car derailed, hitting the anhydrous ammonia tank, shearing off the piping, including the excess flow valve.  No deaths, injuries, environmental damage or property damage occurred, except to our storage tank and the railroad car. 
 
Western Iowa Coop has had no accidental releases of propane in the last five years that: have caused any deaths, injuries, or significant property damage; not to our knowledge have resulted in offsite deaths, injuries, evacuations, sheltering place, property damage or environmental damage. 
 
6.    The Emergency Response Program.     
 
Western Iowa Coop has: 
a.    a written emergency action plan, in accordance with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.38; 
 
 
b.    provided state and local authorities the emergency planning and Community Right to Know information as required under SARA Title II (EPCRA). 
 
c.    A written emergency response program in accordance with OSHA standard, 29 CR 12910.120, including pre-emergency planning and employee training. 
 
 
 
7.     Planned Changes to Improve Safety 
 
Safety improvement is an on-going process at Western Iowa Coop.  Periodic evaluations are performed to assess the maintenance of safe conditions.  There are no additional new specific anhydrous ammonia or propane recommendations for implementation at this time.
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