Nevada Chemical Company - Executive Summary

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`EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
 
The Company has established a comprehensive Process Safety 
Management Program incorporating policies, procedures and 
training which will provide for the safe handling of chlorine.  
Procedures provide for a "Fail Safe" mode of operation, where the 
chlorine transfer lines are tested every time they are connected 
and before transfer begins,  This is a daily activity. 
 
The company's service for residential swimming pools includes the 
disinfection of pool water with chlorine gas.  Chlorine gas 
treatment of pools has proven to be the most effective method of 
disinfection as well as providing the highest water clarity.  IT 
is not only the preferred treatment by most pool owners, but 
provides for a better general state of public health related to  
residential pools. 
 
 
 
    Process Description: 
 
Chlorine is received in one-ton shipping and storage containers 
which are provided by the manufacturer.  One-ton containers have 
been in use for well over 50 years;  the design and  
maintenance 
of these containers has proven to be highly reliable and safe for 
transporting and storing chlorine.  They are also designed for 
rugged transportation and are virtually indestructible.  Special 
emergency repair kits are kept an hand to stop a leak from any 
point of the container, whether it be the valve , fusible safety 
plugs, or on the container itself. 
 
The primary activity at the facility is to transfer chlorine form 
the one-ton container into a number of small cylinders which hold 
20 pounds of chlorine.  It is these smaller cylinders which are 
carried to the pool site for use. 
 
The filling system is equipped with a vent system to absorb any 
residual chlorine from the transfer lines after filling is 
complete.  There is essentially no chlorine released to the 
atmosphere during or after this operation.  Once again, note that 
all lines are leak tested prior to chlorine transfer; this is a 
daily event. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Emergency Response Plan: 
 
The facility maintains a wri 
tten Emergency Action plan which 
establishes responsibilities and predetermined actions to follow 
in the event of an emergency.  Prevention is a major part of the 
company's operating policy, and to insure an emergency doesn't 
occur, the storage and transfer area are located in a separate 
protected area, extensive daily leak checks are performed before 
any transfer takes place, and equipment is inspected and tested 
regularly, and replaced as needed as part of a preventive 
maintenance program.  A comprehensive training program is also 
designed to insure only trained and qualified personnel handle 
chlorine. 
 
 
 
    Emergency Response Program: 
 
The Emergency Response Program provides for coordination with 
outside emergency response agencies.  Primary response will be 
performed by trained emergency response personnel.  Training 
and/or drills are conducted periodically.  The plan also provides 
for procedures to notify the public if needed during an 
emergency.  
 
 
 
    Five Year Accident Hist 
ory: 
 
There have been no accidents, releases, or incidents involving 
chlorine at the facility during the past five years, or prior to 
that.  
 
 
 
    Worst Case Scenarios: 
 
Two worst case scenarios were evaluated to determine the 
potential off site impact from a release of chlorine.  The first 
scenario, which is specified by the guidelines calls for the 
release of the entire contents of the largest container within a 
ten minute period.  This also must be evaluated for the absolute 
worst case weather conditions.  That is during a calm night when 
the highest off site concentrations would occur.  This scenario 
shows a potential adverse impact up to 4.5 miles from the source.  
The same release occurring during the worst day time conditions 
would have a potential effect up to 2.5 miles from the source.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Alternate Worst Case Scenario: 
 
A more realistic alternate worst case scenario was evaluated, and 
showed a potential adverse impact for a distance of 600 yards.  
This scenario is 
based on a total line break during a filling 
operation, and also assuming the operator can not close the main 
shutoff valve, which is easily accessible. 
 
 
 
    Prevention Program:  
 
A comprehensive "Prevention Program" has been instituted to 
insure hazardous chemicals are safely handled and the risk of an 
accident or release are minimized.  A "Process Hazards Analysis" 
was performed to review the design and operation of the chlorine 
filling and storage area.  This evaluation identified potential 
accident scenarios which are addressed in the design of the 
equipment and incorporated in the training and operating 
procedures. 
 
The program also provides for policies and procedures for 
contractors, maintenance, and any future modifications to the 
system. 
 
 
 
    Planned Safety Improvements: 
 
Chlorine handling equipment and procedures have been refined many 
years ago and have proven to be highly successful.  The "Process 
Safety Analysis" indicated that the system and procedures are 
adequate 
.  However, based on potential hazards identified in this 
detailed analysis, training and operating procedures are being 
revised to more thoroughly address these items.
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