Hillside Chemical - Executive Summary |
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Accidental Release Prevention and Emergency Response Policies: The facilities overall approach to safety is ensuring that the equipment used at the facility is maintained and updated as required by each process. The facility is also committed to providing its employees with the skills necessary to safely handle the chemicals used at the site. For the anhydrous ammonia, the tanks and associated piping are visually inspected and maintained to ensure the tank and its components are in good condition and they do not develop defects which could compromise the tanks integrity. Both tanks contain manual shut-off valves which will stop the flow out of the piping if a rupture in any of the connected hosing should develop. The anhydrous tanks are also equipped with automatic valves which will shut off the flow if a pipe break were to occur. The anhydrous ammonia tanks are equipped with break away piping which will prevent damage to the tank and loss of substantial product if a transfe r tank is not disconnected prior to moving away from the loading area. The applicator tanks for the anhydrous operations are also inspected regularly and maintained to prevent releases. Facility Description and Regulated Substances Handled: Hillside Chemical has processes present on the site for anhydrous ammonia which require the facility to complete a Risk Management Plan (RMP) The facility contains anhydrous ammonia for resale. The anhydrous ammonia is stored in two 12,000 gallon tanks at the facility. Facility personnel are responsible for transferring the anhydrous ammonia to transfer tanks which are used in conjunction with injection equipment to inject the product into the ground for use as a fertilizer. Worst Case Release Scenarios and Alternative Release Scenarios: The worst case scenario for the anhydrous ammonia stored and handled on the site would be a tank rupture releasing 112,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia which would create a liquid spill and vaporization. The worst case scenario would have an impact of approximately 5.6 miles from the tank source. The EPAs RMP comp program was used to determine the worst case scenario impacts. The alternative release scenario chosen for the anhydrous ammonia storage and handling was a pipe leak for two minutes from the tank resulting in a smaller release of anhydrous ammonia and vaporization. The alternative release scenario would have an impact extending to approximately 0.83 miles from the pipe leak. An EPA reference table was used to determine this alternative release scenario. General Accidental Release Prevention Program and Specific Prevention Steps: The facility complies with OSHA (29CFR 1910.111) for anhydrous ammonia. In the event of an anhydrous ammonia release our first steps will include, calling 911 which will in turn notify the local fire department. The processes utilized to prevent injuries from the release will be to evacuate residences downwind of the release which could be i mpacted by the anhydrous ammonia vapors. The fire department will utilize water to minimize the amount of vaporization. Water is also the first means of first aid for persons that come into contact with the anhydrous ammonia. Five Year Accident History: The site has not had a release of anhydrous ammonia within the last five years which resulted in any injury to site personnel or to surrounding residences. Emergency Response Program: All of the sites emergency procedures are conducted with the local volunteer fire department. In case of an accident at the site, the local fire department would be called upon for assistance. The facility personnel are trained in the proper handling of the anhydrous ammonia equipment and in basic first aid procedures in case of contact with the anhydrous ammonia. Water tanks for utilizing in case of accidental contact with anhydrous ammonia are present on all of the transfer tanks. Planned Changes to Improve Safety: We have no immediate plans for changes at the facility to improve our overall safety. |