PCS Nitrogen Fertilizer, L. P.--Geismar, LA - Executive Summary

| Accident History | Chemicals | Emergency Response | Registration | Source | Executive Summary |

3732 LDEQ Facility ID Number                                                                                                                             The PCS Nitrogen (PCS) facility in Geismar manufactures liquid nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers and industrial grade nitric and phosphoric acids.  Applicable SIC Codes for the Geismar Complex include 2819, 2873, and 2874.  Regulated substances on site above the threshold quantity include ammonia, chlorine, and oleum.  The Geismar Complex is subject to the requirements of Program 3 as stated in 40 CFR Part 68.12 because of the SIC Code applicability.  The facility is also subject to the requirements of the OSHA Process Safety Management Standard, 29 CFR 1910.119. 
 
PCS employs numerous systems at the Geismar Complex designed to prevent the occurrence of accidental releases.  The foundation of the prevention program is strict adherence to the OSHA PSM Standard, which is an ongoing program at the facility.  Additionally, the implementati 
on and updating of operational, maintenance, safety, and environmental procedures designed to prevent accidental releases are an integral component of operations at the facility. 
 
In the event of an accidental release, the Geismar Complex has a proven emergency response plan that would be implemented to mitigate potential environmental damage and minimize chemical exposure to employees, the public, and the environment.  Employees trained in emergency response activities are on site 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 
 
The worst case scenario (WCS) for the Geismar Complex is the release of the entire contents of the refrigerated ammonia storage tank.  This scenario would result in the release of 44,000,000 pounds of ammonia into a secondary containment area.  The modeled distance to endpoint is 4.34 miles from the tank.  The alternate release scenarios (ARS) or those incidents more likely to occur, involve the release of ammonia from a pressure safety valve (PSV), the rupture of a one-ton  
chlorine cylinder, and the release of the partial contents of an oleum storage tank.  Estimated distances to endpoint for the ARSs are 0.19 miles, 1.3 miles, and 0.43 miles, respectively.  Flammable substances in excess of the threshold quantity are not kept at the facility. 
 
PCS has implemented, and will continue to improve, numerous programs designed to reduce the occurrence of accidental releases.  Improved operational controls, installation of emergency control devices, enhanced monitoring, and employee awareness training have resulted in reducing accidental releases and permit violations by over 90% since 1996.  The Geismar Complex has had two accidental release in the previous five-year period that resulted in offsite sheltering in place.   Incidents that occurred in the previous five years that exceeded the reportable quantity for ammonia, but for which no offsite impact occurred total 37.  No reportable quantity releases of chlorine or oleum have occured in the previous five ye 
ars.                                                                                                                                            The employees of PCS Nitrogen Corporation have the responsibility to manage operations, protect human health and the environment.  Sound health, safety, and environmental practices are an integral part of our everyday job requirements.  In recognition of this responsibility, we will correct any unsound health, safety, and environmental practices or conditions, call them to the attention of those who will do so, as soon as they are identified.  Specifically, we will conduct our operations in compliance with all applicable health, safety, and environmental laws and regulations.  We will continue to improve our health, safety, and environmental perfromance through the Quality Improvement Process. We will conduct periodic assessments fo our operations to ensure compliance and identify risks.  We will implement progressive health, safety, and enviro 
nmental practices that apply risk management and loss control principles to our operations.  We will establish health, safety, and environmental performance goals and assign responsibilities for developing and implementing related measurement systems.  We will provide education and training regarding applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to protect human health and the environment.  We will cooperate with our neighbors, industry trade groups, governmental agencies, and others to develop effective, reasonable rules and regulations to protect human health and the environment.  PCS Nitrogen's success depends upon our positive health, safety, and environmental attitude and actions to achieve continuous improvement.
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