Jessop Steel Company Washington Facility - Executive Summary |
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The Risk Management Plan (RMP) has been developed by Earth Sciences Consultants, Inc. (Earth Sciences) for the Washington Facility of the Jessop Steel Company located at 500 Green Street, Washington, Pennsylvania, and is pursuant to the requirements of 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 68. Process Description and Regulated Substances The Jessop Steel Company Washington facility has designed and operates a process for the storage and transfer of 70 percent hydrofluoric acid (HF) into process tubs. This process includes a 6,400-gallon storage tank located in an acid storage area and piping used to supply 70 percent HF to the process tubs. This process is located in a part of the plant that is designed for the handling and use of hydrofluoric acid. The storage and use of 70 percent HF at the plant is hereafter referred to as "the process" in the remainder of this document. The North American Industrial Classification System code for the facility is 331111. The Washington fac ility process is classified as a Tier II program since the facility is not subject to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Process Safety Management (PSM) requirements under 29 CFR 1910.119 Accident Release Prevention and Emergency Response Policies The Jessop Steel Company Washington facility has an excellent record in preventing and minimizing releases of HF. The Jessop Steel Company Washington facility remains committed to the prevention of releases of HF. In the event of a release, the Washington facility is committed to a timely response in accordance with their Emergency Response Plan (ERP) and the applicable components of this RMP. Accident prevention and emergency response programs are described in this RMP. Worst-Case Scenario and Alternative Release Scenario The worst-case scenario for the process is a failure of the 70 percent HF storage tank and piping system when filled to capacity. This scenario is highly unlikely since the double walled HF storage tank is equipped with a leak detection system. An administrative control (i.e., visual inspection to maintain less than or equal to 90 percent fill volume in the tank) is in place at the facility. A release from this process would be controlled by an acid resistant diked area that provides secondary containment to accommodate 110 percent of the maximum tank capacity. RMP Comp was used to determine the distance to the toxic end point associated with a worst-case scenario release. According to the modeling results, the distance to the specified end point for a worst-case accidental release scenario associated with this process is 2.6 mile, which is greater than the distance to the nearest public receptor. The most likely alternative release scenario is a leak from the piping connected to the HF storage tank. Due to a series of shut-off valves, including one near the storage tank, any leak from the piping would not likely exceed the amount contained in approximately 75 linear fee t of 2-inch-diameter piping which is approximately 12 gallons or 119 pounds. RMP Comp was used to determine the distance to the toxic end point associated with this alternative release scenario. According to the modeling results, the distance to the specified end point for the alternative release scenario associated with this process is 0.1 mile, which is greater than the distance to the nearest public receptor. General Accidental Release Prevention Program and Chemical-Specific Prevention Steps The Washington facility has safe job procedures (SJP) in place: 7 to evaluate the HF tank capacity and volume already in place before unloading begins; 7 for the use of HF in pickling operations; and 7 for the inspection of all process equipment including the HF tank, piping, and isolation valves. In addition, the Washington facility trains employees regarding safe job procedures, safe work practices, emergency evacuation and response, and routine and nonroutine work authorization. Finall y, the Washington facility maintains the ongoing mechanical integrity of the process equipment. Five-Year Accident History There have been no accidental releases associated with this process in the last 5 years that have resulted in deaths, injuries, or significant property damage on site, or known off-site deaths, injuries, evacuations, sheltering in place, property damage, or environmental damage. Emergency Response Program The Washington facility maintains an Emergency Response Plan. The Washington facility has trained employees for an initial response team. This team will don personal protective equipment (PPE) and be dispatched to control or stop a minor emergency or an accidental release or help move any employee(s) that has been affected by a 70 percent HF release. If necessary, employees will be evacuated to a safe zone. In the event of an emergency where off-site response is appropriate, it will be the policy of the Washington facility to notify the Washington, Pa. Fire Department and/or the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and request that they respond to the emergency. A fire, explosion, or other occurrence with the potential to create a release of the regulated substance (HF) from the process may pose a danger to public emergency responders. Public emergency responders will not be permitted to enter this area except as previously arranged with the Primary Emergency Coordinator (PEC), or other personnel as identified within this RMP. Finally, the Washington facility has equipped an emergency control center. The emergency control center is sited in a safe zone and will serve as the major communication link between the PEC and plant and/or corporate management as well as with local community officials. Planned Changes to Improve Safety No additional measures to prevent off-site impacts from accidental releases have been identified or are required at this time. If reasonable measures are subsequently identified that would lower the risk of an off-site release, such measures will be implemented. Responsible Person I, Deborah L. Calderazzo, Manager of Environmental Affairs, have been assigned as the qualified person with the overall responsibility for the development, implementation, and integration of the RMP and subsequent program elements for the Jessop Steel Company Washington facility. Currently, I have the responsibility for implementing the individual requirements of this RMP. Should this responsibility be assigned to another person (or persons) other than myself, the names and positions of these people will be documented and the lines of authority will be defined through an organization chart or similar document. |