Boskovich Farms, Inc. - Executive Summary |
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1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The following Risk Management Program / Accidental Release Prevention Plan has been prepared for the Boskovich Farms, Inc. (Boskovich) facility located at 711 Diaz Avenue in Oxnard (see Figure 1). This facility is a produce preparation and distribution facility, which operates various connected ammonia systems to cool produce prior to distribution. This program has been prepared pursuant to Title 19, Division 2, Chapter 4.5 of the California Code of Regulations. The ammonia refrigeration systems at Boskovich contain approximately 23,000 pounds of ammonia. The maximum quantity of ammonia at the facility is approximately 33,300 pounds due to the presence of the Aqua Ammonia Absorption Refrigeration Plant (AAARP) located on the northeast corner of the Boskovich facility. The AAARP system is owned by Sithe Energies and operated by E.F. Oxnard, Inc. (E.F. Oxnard). The land where the AAARP system is located is leased from Boskovich by E.F. Oxnard. Because th e AAARP system is owned and operated by E.F. Oxnard, risk management and accident prevention issues pertaining to this system are addressed in the E.F. Oxnard facility RMP documents. In July 1993, Boskovich prepared a Process Safety Management (PSM) Plan and a Risk Management and Prevention Program (RMPP). These documents were updated in August 1997. Boskovich's PSM and RMPP are referenced by this RMP because they contain many of the elements required by the new RMP requirements. 1.1 Accidental Release Prevention and Emergency Response Policies To prevent the accidental release of ammonia, Boskovich has developed the following: - Maintenance and inspection procedures to ensure that equipment is properly maintained and functioning properly. - Operating procedures to ensure that equipment is operated in a manner that minimizes the possibility of an ammonia release. - Employee training to ensure that operators know how to properly use the equipment and non-operators are aware o f the dangers of ammonia and the necessary steps to take in the event of an ammonia release. - The facility is secured by fencing around the site and a 24-hour guard to minimize the possibility of a third party damaging equipment or releasing ammonia. The programs are contained in Binder 2: Risk Management and Prevention Program. Boskovich has prepared an Emergency Response Plan to respond to ammonia releases. In general the plan includes: - A list of safety equipment available at the Boskovich facility; - Response procedures for minor leaks; - Response procedures for major emergencies; - Agency notification procedures; and - Emergency procedures. A copy of the Emergency Response Plan (ERP) for Boskovich can be found in Binder 2: Risk Management and Prevention Program, Section 10. Further description of the ERP is contained in Section 6.0 Emergency Response Program in this document. 1.2 Stationary Source and Substance Handled As explained above, Boskovich operates various ammonia cooling systems to cool produce prior to shipment. The systems contain approximately 23,000 pounds of ammonia. 1.3 Accidental Release Scenarios The Worst Case Scenario (WC), atmospheric release of the maximum contents of the largest high pressure vessel (East Freezer; 4,635 lb) in 10 minutes, which is based upon Title 19 CCR Chapter 4.5 Article 4 criteria, is considered improbable and would result in offsite impacts. Alternate Scenario 1 (A1) is a one-minute release of a pressure safety valve (PSV) due to the overcharging of the system from a leaking AAARP solenoid valve. This scenario also assumes the high pressure switch fails. This scenario is considered occasional. Alternate Scenario 2 (A2), is a five-minute release from of a PSV due to the overcharging of the system from a leaking AAARP solenoid valve. This scenario is the same as A1, except it assumes a slower response time by on-site safety personnel (i.e. the release occurs at night). This scenario is co nsidered occasional. Alternate Scenario 3 (A3), is a release from a faulty ammonia transfer hose in the Hydrovac system. This scenario is considered possible. In order to reduce the distance to the endpoint from an accidental release, the following administrative controls and mitigation measures are in place at Boskovich: - System operation and emergency response training; - Routine maintenance schedule and procedures; - Written operating procedures; - Release detection sensors promote early detection of a release; and - Security personnel who monitor the facility to ensure that no unauthorized personnel are on- site. Details regarding the offsite consequence analysis for the worst case and alternative release scenarios can be found in Section 3.0 of this document. 1.4 General Accidental Release Prevention Program Components and Substance-Specific Prevention Steps The following components are contained in the following sections of this Risk Management Plan document: - Registration - Offsite Consequence Analysis - Five-year Accident History - Program 3 Prevention Program Component - Emergency Response Program - Certification - Update Procedure In order to further mitigate the effects of a ammonia release, the following risk management components are in place: - Maintenance and standard operating procedures for the ammonia systems. - The site is prevented from being accessed by trespassers with the use of fencing and on-site security personnel. - Emergency Response Plan. - Training for employees. - Incident investigation documentation and procedures. - Automatic system shutdowns. - Windsock for direction of wind visible on neighboring property. - Ammonia sensors (solid state) set at 150 ppm at various locations at the facility. 1.5 Five-year Accident History Boskovich has had no incidents in the past five years from the ammonia system that resulted in on site injuries that required medical attention. 1.6 Emergency Response Plan Com ponents The Emergency Response/Action Plan (ERP) for the Boskovich facility has been prepared and contains information for responding to an ammonia release. The general emergency response policy for the site when ammonia is released is to: - Determine the severity of the release; - Evacuate non-emergency response personnel to a safe area; - Have two trained employees don self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA); - Isolate and / or fix leak; and - Notify the appropriate personnel and authorities. 1.7 Planned Changes to Improve Safety The original RMPP plan identified recommendations, all of which have been implemented at the facility. The RMPP plan was revised in 1997 and no additional recommendations were identified at the time. There are currently no planned changes to improve safety. The following recommendations have been made based on a review of Boskovich's previous Process Hazard and Seismic Analyses, the recent Offsite Consequence Analysis, and site visits: - Continue to document the implementation of the RMP Program 3 prevention items. |