ConAgra Poultry Company - Executive Summary |
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. Accidental release prevention and emergency response policies ConAgra Poultry Company - El Dorado is committed to both the safety of our employees and that of the surrounding public, including both human health and the environment. Safety is ensured through careful prevention measures and emergency planning. The intent of our Prevention Program is the minimization of all risks that could possibly lead to an accidental release. This program focuses primarily on the mechanical integrity of the process equipment and the training of its operators. The Emergency Response Plan focuses on minimizing the potential impacts of an accidental release. This is done by coordinating emergency actions with the El Dorado Fire Department and ensuring that employees are trained on the proper response to an emergency situation. 2. The stationary source and regulated substances handled 7 ConAgra Poultry Company - El Dorado is a poultry processing plant. 7 The regulated subs tance handled at this plant is ammonia. Ammonia is used as a refrigerant in the plant cooler and freezer system. 7 The maximum quantity of ammonia stored at this facility is 40,000 pounds. 3. The worst-case release scenario and the alternative release scenario, including administrative controls and mitigation measures to limit the distances for each reported scenario 7 Worst-Case Scenario: Failure of the high pressure receiver for the main engine room when filled to the greatest amount allowed would release 34,000 pounds of ammonia. Company policy limits the maximum filling capacity of this vessel to 75%. It is assumed that the entire contents are released as vapor over a ten minute time span and are subjected to a wind speed of 1.5 m/s with a stability class of F. The distance to the toxic endpoint for the worst-case scenario is 2.16 miles. 7 Alternative Scenario: The lifting of a pressure relief valve on the ammonia storage vessel for the new engine room. Relief valves allow t he escape of ammonia at a total flow rate of 119.6 lbs/min. Weather conditions are assumed to be average values of 3 m/s wind speed and stability class D. The valves are assumed to be open 75% of the time during the release as the pressure builds and is relieved. The distance to this endpoint is 450 feet and extends beyond the facility boundary. 4. The general accidental release prevention program and the specific prevention steps ConAgra Poultry Company believes that the best way to prevent an accidental release is by being proactive in its approach to safety. This facility maintains information about the proper use of its equipment and the possible hazards. By following set operating procedures and maintenance routines, the process equipment within the facility will continue to operate in optimum condition. Additionally, the release prevention program is constantly being improved by sustained employee training and regular compliance audits. Compliance with all applicable sta te codes and regulations ensures the continued safety of ConAgra. 5. Five-year accident history In the last five years, ConAgra Poultry Company - El Dorado facility has only experienced one significant, accidental ammonia release. The release happened as a result of a fire on December 29, 1998. The release occurred when the fire caused walls within the plant to collapse and break ammonia piping. The accident led to the release of approximately 1500 pounds of ammonia. The El Dorado Fire Department assisted in putting out the fire and the El Dorado Police Department was used for local traffic control and security. 6. The emergency response program A well planned emergency response program can make a tremendous difference in the potential off-site impacts of an accidental release. Swift, efficient actions can minimize the damage to both human population and the natural surroundings. To this end, ConAgra Poultry Company - El Dorado has coordinated emergency response efforts with the El Dorado Fire Department and has instructed employees on the proper actions to take in the event of an accidental release. ConAgra maintains a well trained emergency response team and has a written emergency response plan which specifies the details of the actions that will be taken in the event of an accidental release. 7. Planned changes to improve safety There are no planned changes to improve safety at this time. |