Mills Branch Water Plant - Executive Summary

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General Executive Summary for Chemical, Manufacturing and Oil Refining Facilities 
 
1.    Accidental Release Prevention and Emergency Response Policies 
We at Mills Branch Water Plant are strongly committed to employee, public and environmental safety.  This commitment is demonstrated by our comprehensive accidental release prevention program that covers areas such as design, installation, operating procedures, maintenance, and employee training associated with the processes at our facility.  It is our policy to implement appropriate controls to prevent possible releases of regulated substances. 
 
 
2.    The Stationary Source and the Regulated Substances Handled 
Our facility's primary activities encompass production of potable water.  We have 1 regulated substances present at our facility. Chlorine is used for. 
 
The maximum inventory of Chlorine at our facility is 4000.00 lbs. 
 
3.    The Worst Case Release Scenario(s) and the Alternative Release Scenario(s), including administrative controls and m 
itigation measures to limit the distances for each reported scenario 
To perform the required offsite consequence analysis for our facility, we have used the EPA's RMP Guidance for Drinking Water Systems Reference Tables or Equations.  The following paragraphs provide details of the chosen scenarios. 
 
The worst case release scenario submitted for Program 3 toxic substances as a class involves a catastrophic release from Chlorine.  In this scenario 2000 lbs. of Chlorine is released over a 10-minute period.  At Class F atmospheric stability and 1.5 m/s windspeed, the maximum distance of 1.3 miles is obtained corresponding to a toxic endpoint of 3 ppm. 
 
The alternative release scenario for Chlorine involves a release from a 1/2 inch hole in a vessel..  The scenario involves the release of 370 lbs. of Chlorine.in a 10 minute period...Under neutral weather conditions, the maximum distance to the toxic endpoint of 3 ppm of Chlorine is 0.4 miles. 
 
 
4.    The General Accidental Release Prevention  
Program and the Chemical-Specific Prevention Steps 
Our facility has taken all the necessary steps to comply with the accidental release prevention requirements set out under 40 CFR part 68 of the EPA.  This facility was designed and constructed in accordance with NFPA-58 Standard, 1967 Edition.    The following sections briefly describe the elements of the release prevention program that is in place at our stationary source. 
 
Process Safety Information 
Mills Branch Water Plant maintains a detailed record of safety information that describes the chemical hazards, operating parameters and equipment designs associated with all processes. 
 
Process Hazard Analysis 
Our facility conducts comprehensive studies to ensure that hazards associated with our processes are identified and controlled efficiently.  The methodology used to carry out these analyses is What If/Checklist (combined) and HAZOP.  The studies are undertaken by a team of qualified personnel with expertise in engineering and proc 
ess operations and are revalidated at a regular interval of 2 years.  Any findings related to the hazard analysis are addressed in a timely manner.  The most recent PHA/update was performed on 06/18/1999. 
 
Operating Procedures 
For the purposes of safely conducting activities within our covered processes, Mills Branch Water Plant maintains written operating procedures.  These procedures address various modes of operation such as initial startup, normal operations, temporary operations, emergency shutdown, emergency operations, normal shutdown and startup after a turnaround.  The information is regularly reviewed and is readily accessible to operators involved in the processes. 
 
Training 
Mills Branch Water Plant has a comprehensive training program in place to ensure that employees who are operating processes are competent in the operating procedures associated with these processes.  Refresher training is provided at least annually and more frequently as needed. 
 
Mechanical Integrity 
Mil 
ls Branch Water Plant carries out highly documented maintenance checks on process equipment to ensure proper operations.  Process equipment examined by these checks includes among others; pressure vessels, storage tanks, piping systems, relief and vent systems, emergency shutdown systems, controls and pumps.  Maintenance operations are carried out by qualified personnel with previous training in maintenance practices.  Furthermore, these personnel are offered specialized training as needed.  Any equipment deficiencies identified by the maintenance checks are corrected in a safe and timely manner. 
 
Management of Change 
Written procedures are in place at Mills Branch Water Plant to manage changes in process chemicals, technology, equipment and procedures.  The most recent review/revision of maintenance procedures was performed on 03/31/1999.  Process operators, maintenance personnel or any other employee whose job tasks are affected by a modification in process conditions are promptly ma 
de aware of and offered training to deal with the modification. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pre-startup Reviews 
Pre-start up safety reviews related to new processes and to modifications in established processes are conducted as a regular practice at Mills Branch Water Plant.  The most recent review of the procedures was performed on 6/7/99.  These reviews are conducted to confirm that construction, equipment, operating and maintenance procedures are suitable for safe startup prior to placing equipment into operation. 
 
Compliance Audits 
Mills Branch Water Plant conducts audits on a regular basis to determine whether the provisions set out under the RMP rule are being implemented.  The most recent comliance audit was conducted on 06/07/1999.  These audits are carried out at least every 3 years and any corrective actions required as a result of the audits are undertaken in a safe and prompt manner. 
 
Incident Investigation 
Mills Branch Water Plant promptly investigates any incident that has resulted in, or cou 
ld reasonably result in a catastrophic release of a regulated substance.  These investigations are undertaken to identify the situation leading to the incident as well as any corrective actions to prevent the release from reoccurring.  All reports are retained for a minimum of 5 years. 
 
Employee Participation 
Mills Branch Water Plant truly believes that process safety management and accident prevention is a team effort. Employees are strongly encouraged to express their views concerning accident prevention issues and to recommend improvements.  In addition, our employees have access to all information created as part of the facility's implementation of the RMP rule, including information resulting from process hazard analyses in particular. 
 
Contractors 
On occasion, contractors are hired to conduct specialized maintenance and construction activities.  Prior to selecting a contractor, a thorough evaluation of safety performance of the contractor is carried out.  Mills Branch Water Plant 
has a strict policy of informing the contractors of known potential hazards related the contractor's work and the processes.  Contractors are also informed of all the procedures for emergency response should an accidental release of a regulated substance occur. 
 
 
5.    Five-year Accident History 
Mills Branch Water Plant has had an excellent record of preventing accidental releases over the last 5 years.  Due to our stringent release prevention policies, there has been no accidental release during this period. 
 
6.    Emergency Response Plan 
Mills Branch Water Plant carries a written emergency response plan to deal with accidental releases of hazardous materials.  The plan includes all aspects of emergency response including adequate first aid and medical treatment, evacuations, notification of local emergency response agencies and the public, as well as post-incident decontamination of affected areas. 
 
To ensure proper functioning, our emergency response equipment is regularly inspected and  
serviced.  In addition, the plan is promptly updated to reflect any pertinent changes taking place within our processes that would require a modified emergency response. 
 
7.    Planned Changes to Improve Safety 
Several developments and findings have resulted from the implementation of the various elements of our accidental release prevention program. Safety audits and additional training are some of the major steps we want to take to improve safety at our facility.  These changes are expected to be implemented by 6/30/99.
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