Vlasic Foods International - Executive Summary |
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VLASIC FOODS Fayetteville, Arkansas RISK MANAGMENT PLAN Executive Summary 1. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE POLICIES. At Vlasic Foods, we utilize anhydrous ammonia which is considered hazardous by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The properties which make ammonia valuable as a refrigerant also necessitate certain safety precautions. Vlasic strives to protect all its valuable resources and assets - both personnel and property. We live and have families in this community. We want to prevent exposure to all our personnel as well as nearby members of our community, existing natural resources, and the surrounding environment. It is our policy to comply with Federal, State, and Local regulations. Through continual, accurate training and various safety devices and procedures, we work to minimize potential releases. Our emergency response program has specific procedures for accidental releases of anhydrous ammonia as well as other emergencies. We w ork in conjunction with the Fayetteville Fire Department and the Local Emergency Planning Committee to prepare for necessary notification of all affected neighbors. 2. THE STATIONARY SOURCE AND REGULATED SUBSTANCES HANDLED. The primary purpose of our facility is the production of frozen foods. We utilize anhydrous ammonia as the primary means for refrigeration, cooling and freezing. A nationally recognized, reputable and professional ammonia delivery company is used to fill our main receiver tanks. Steel piping then carries the ammonia to the needed refrigeration, cooling or freezing units. Access to the site is restricted to facility employees, authorized management personnel and authorized contractors. The regulated substance used at our facility is anhydrous ammonia. Our ammonia refrigeration system has a 330,000 pound capacity but our policy limits that storage and operating charge to 300,000 pounds, i.e., 90% of total capacity. 3. THE WORST CASE RELEASE SCENARIO(S) AN D THE ALTERNATIVE RELEASE SCENARIO(S), INCLUDING ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS AND MITIGATION MEASURES TO LIMIT THE DISTANCES FOR EACH REPORTED SCENARIO. Worst Case Scenario The worst case scenario would be failure of one of our three high pressure receivers. Vlasic policy restricts the maximum capacity of these 26,000 pound tank to 90% of capacity. The maximum amount stored in any one of these tanks is 23,459 pounds. It is assumed that the entire contents are released as a two phase flow (gas and aerosol-ALOHA). Distance to endpoint: 1.6 miles Alternative Scenario The alternative scenario would be the release of ammonia due to the failure of a pressure safety relief valve. In the event that a safety relief valve should open, only a portion of the ammonia will likely be released from the system at any one time. Under normal circumstances, it will be detected by nearby ammonia detectors, routine engineering systems checks and/or by workers in the area because of ammonias low odor thres hold. Upon detection, the emergency valves shut-down release would engage and stop the flow or the on-screen monitoring system would alert personnel to manually shut the valve. The maximum time of the release would be 10 minutes and maximum quantity released would be approximately 2,500 pounds of ammonia. Distance to endpoint: .074053 miles (or 391 yards) 4. FIVE-YEAR ACCIDENT HISTORY. To date, this Vlasic Foods facility has had one reportable release. It occurred June 29, 1995, during some construction and remodeling. It involved an outside contractor and resulted in various new process controls and revised emergency procedures. Approximately 1,390 pounds of anhydrous ammonia was released and 530 people were evacuated from the facility. Off-site consequences were minimized due to several factors. Vlasic Foods has an in-house HAZMAT team that initially responded and worked in conjunction with the Fayetteville Fire Department and HAZMAT teams. Also, the release occurre d inside the facility and much product was neutralized using CO2. No evacuation was required for off-site receptors (persons off the Vlasic Foods property). 5. THE RMP MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. The management of the RMP program will be handled by Mr. Fred McLane, Environmental Manager. Mr. McLane will administrate in conjunction with the Vlasic Foods management and personnel. Other entities or organizations that will be coordinated with include the Washington County Local Emergency Planning Committee and the Fayetteville Fire Department and HAZMAT team. In the event Mr. McLane is unavailable, the following personnel will have the authority to execute the Emergency Response Program elements: Manager of Engineering/Maintenance; Supervisor of Boiler/Refrigeration. 6. THE GENERAL ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION PROGRAM AND THE SPECIFIC PREVENTION STEPS. The ammonia refrigeration system design and construction is based upon accepted and proven engineering design practices for a safe op erating refrigeration plant. The system was designed and constructed to meet the Uniform Building Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, Uniform Fire Code, SHARAE Standard 15 and the National Electrical Code. Shut-off valves are strategically located throughout the refrigeration system to allow emergency shut-off, periodic maintenance and repair. Depending on location and use in the system, pressure vessels are ASME rated and fitted with either a single or dual safety relief valve as required by ASME. The Vlasic Foods facility complies with applicable Federal, State and Local regulations including the EPAs Accidental Release Prevention Rule. Our personnel are trained about this during our Hazard Communications Training and through access to our Written Programs. Our Refrigeration Maintenance operators receive a combination of classroom training plus On-The-Job (OTJ) training. They are given written tests and are able to demonstrate proper job skills and knowledge. 7. THE EMERGENCY R ESPONSE PROGRAM. We work very closely with the Local Emergency Planning Committee and the Fayetteville Fire Department and HAZMAT team on emergency preparedness. We meet periodically with representatives of each to address any changes in the facility or any new concerns. 8. PLANNED CHANGES TO IMPROVE SAFETY. Currently, Vlasic trains and tests all refrigeration technicians. Our preventative maintenance program is above standard and our total ammonia Process Safety Program is reviewed annually and updated periodically. Our program is improved continuously through annual updating of our written program and annual training of our technicians. We also take advantage of new technologies when safer and more economical alternatives are available. |