BROWNTON CO-OP AG CENTER - Executive Summary

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BROWNTON CO-OP AG CENTER 
BOX 189 
BROWNTON   MN   55312 
 
BRUCE LOESCHEN, PLANT MANAGER, 320-328-5211 
 
RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN-EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
 
1.  THE FACILITY POLICY 
 
THE OWNERS, MANAGEMENT, AND EMPLOYEES OF BROWNTON CO-OP AG CENTER ARE  COMMITTED TO THE PREVENTION OF ANY ACCIDENTAL RELEASES OF ANHYDROUS AMMONIA.  IF AN ACCIDENTAL RELEASE SHOULD OCCUR, THE FACILITY IS PREPARED TO WORK WITH THE LOCAL FIRE COMPANY, OR OTHER AUTHORITIES, TO MITIGATE ANY RELEASE AND MINIMIZE THE IMPACT OF THE RELEASE TO PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT. 
 
2.  FACILITY INFORMATION 
 
THE PRIMARY ACTIVITY AT THE FACILITY IS THE STORAGE AND BLENDING OF FERTILIZERS FOR SALE TO FARMERS. 
 
ANHYDROUS AMMONIA IS RECEIVED, STORED AND DISTRIBUTED FOR DIRECT APPLICATION.  ANHYDROUS AMMONIA IS USED FOR CROP PRODUCTION NUTRIENTS. 
 
THE MAXIMUM QUANTITY OF AMMONIA STORED WOULD BE 153,000 POUNDS IN OUR STORAGE TANKS AND NURSE TANKS.  THE MAXIMUM QUANTITY HANDLED WOULD BE THE UNLOADING OF A TANK TRUCK HOLDING 40,000 POUNDS 

 
3.  THE WORST CASE SCENARIO AND THE ALTERNATIVE RELEASE SCENARIO 
 
A.  THE WORST CASE RELEASE SCENARIO FOR ANHYDROUS AMMONIA WOULD BE THE RELEASE OF THE TOTAL CONTENTS OF A STORAGE TANK RELEASED AS A GAS OVER TEN MINUTES.  THE MAXIMUM QUANTITY RELEASED WOULD BE 53,000 POUNDS, WHICH REPRESENTS THE VOLUME OF THE STORAGE TANK AT 85% CAPACITY AS LIMITED BY DESIGN STANDARDS.  THE DISTANCE TO THE ENDPOINT (POINT OF DISPERSION TO 200 PPM) IS 0.85 MILES. 
 
B.  THE ALTERNATIVE RELEASE SCENARIO FOR ANHYDROUS AMMONIA BASED ON THE HAZARD REVIEW IS A 2 MINUTE RELEASE FROM A BREAK IN A 3 INCH PIPE.  THE DISTANCE TO THE ENDPOINT (POINT OF DISPERSION TO 200 PPM) IS .78 MILES. 
 
4.  THE ACCIDENTIAL RELEASE PREVENTION PROGRAM. 
 
THE FACILITY HAS IMPLEMENTED THE PROVISIONS OF "SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STORAGE AND HANDLNG OF ANHYDROUS AMMONIA,K-61.1", PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE, INC. AND THE STANDARDS OF THE U.S. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA), 29 CFR 19 
10.111, "STORAGE AND HANDLING OF ANHYDROUS AMMONIA."  IN ADDITION, MINNESOTA DEPT. OF AG RULES.   
 
5. THE FIVE-YEAR HISTORY. 
 
A. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTAL RELEASES OF ANHYDROUS AMMONIA IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS THAT: 
HAVE CAUSED ANY DEATHS, INJURIES, OR SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE AT THE FACILITY; NOR TO OUR KNOWLEDGE, HAVE RESULTED IN OFFSITE DEATHS, INJURIES, EVACUATIONS, SHELTERING IN PLACE, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE.   
 
6.  THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM 
 
THE FACILITY HAS: 
 
A.  A WRITTEN EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH OSHA  STANDARD, 29 CFR 1910.38; 
 
B.  PROVIDED STATE AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES THE EMERGENCY PLANNING AND COMMUNITY RIGHT-TO-KNOW INFORMATION AS REQUIRED UNDER SARA TITLE!!!!  (EPCRA) 
 
C. COORDINATED WITH LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONDERS. 
 
7.  PLANNED CHANGES TO INPROVE SAFETY. 
 
SAFETY INPROVEMENT IS AN ON-GOING PROCESS AT THE FACILITY.  PERIODIC EVALUATIONS ARE PERFORMED TO ASSESS THE MAINTENANCE OF SAFE CONDITIONS.  THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC ANH 
YDROUS AMMONIA SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION AT THIS TIME.
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