Hasa, Inc. - Executive Summary |
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HASA is subject to the Federal Risk Management Program because there are, on-site, in a rail road tank car or cars more than 1,500 pounds of liquefied chlorine gas. It is highly unlikely that an event involving either liquefied or gaseous chlorine will occur at HASA because repeated, fail-safe controls, and chlorine monitors have been installed and HASA's HAZMAT employees, who unload chlorine at the site, are well-trained. At the facility chlorine is reacted with an alkaline solution to form bleach solution, known by its chemical name as sodium hypochlorite. HASA has been a good neighbor in the Saugus community for over twenty-five years. HASA is proud of its safety record. During these past twenty-five years there has never been an accident which resulted in a chlorine release. Besides the manufacture of bleach solutions, HASA repackages disinfectants, sanitizers, additives, and specialty products for use in potable (drinking quality), recreational, and waste water disinfection and maintenance. Recreational waters include those found in swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, and water parks. Chlorine is stored and used in virtually every city and county in the United States at water and waste water treatment plants, sewage facilities, high school and college swimming pools, meat and milk packaging plants, fruit and vegetable washing operations at packing plants, etc. It is a major component of many plastics, solvents, and refrigerants. HASA is located on the east side of San Fernando Road and the Union Pacific Rail Road (Southern Pacific) tracks on the north side of Drayton Street. The company, family-owned and operated, employs over 80 local residents --with an annual payroll in excess of $1.6 million -- in many capacities: receptionists, accountants, telephone operators, sales and management personnel, and transportation and plan workers. Railroad tank cars containing liquefied chlorine are shipped from the states of Washington and Nevada to our site in Saug us by the Burlington Northern Railroad (formerly known as the Southern Pacific Railroad) and unloaded to the bleach-making process from our private siding. There are less than 100 pounds of liquefied chlorine at any one time in our unloading line and in the bleach-making process. The chlorine unloading process and the unloading equipment are in accordance with nationally recognized standards including recommendations from the Chlorine Institute, ANSI B31.3, and an exemption issued by the U. S. Department of Transportation, DOT-E-10552. Bleach solution, the result of our process, does not contain liquefied chlorine or any other substance regulated under the Federal RMP Program. When HASA is not manufacturing bleach solution, all liquefied chlorine is removed from the unloading line, and remains in the railroad tank car located on HASA's private railroad track or siding. Schedule 80 black iron pipe, fittings, and appurtenances used in the chlorine unloading line have been installed i n accordance with the material specifications in ANSI B31.3. There are two flexible lines which connect the chlorine tank car with the unloading system: the one for transfer of liquefied chlorine, the other for application of dry air or padding the tank car to maintain constant pressure within the tank car while liquefied chlorine is being unloaded. Each flexible line is connected to the railroad tank car by a fail-safe to close, remotely activated valve. If power and/or air pressure are lost for any reason, a powerful spring closes the valve. A remote chlorine detection system is installed adjacent to the chlorine tank car unloading area. If chlorine were detected at approximately 1.0 ppm (1 part chlorine in 1 million parts of air), the detector would actuate a warning signal. HASA HAZMAT employees are trained to respond to a chlorine leak. Self-contained breathing apparatuses and a Chlorine Institute Emergency Kit C are on-site in case a leak is detected in the tank car. The C Kit contains tools and repair parts for tank car vales, punctures, pressure relief valves, etc. The HAZMAT employees are regularly trained to respond to emergency situations. The chlorine unloading line has been designed to resist damage from seismic and other emergency occurrences. The line withstood -- without damage or leakage -- both the Northridge earthquake and a plant fire in 1996. HASA implemented a Risk Management and Prevention Plan in 1989 under the requirements of California Health and Safety Code Chapter 6.95, Article 2, which addresses many of the subjects required under the Federal plan. HASA also has in place a Process Safety Management Plan in accordance with CalOSHA regulations at 8 CCR '5189. |