Arnie's Bakery, Inc. - Executive Summary

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Executive Summary 
System Overview 
 
The ammonia refrigeration system has a capacity of 15,533 lbs. of ammonia which is used to provide refrigeration for a Northfield Spiral Freezer, Freezer warehouse (10,000 sq. ft.) and process air conditioning. The ammonia refrigeration equipment is housed in a concrete block building addition.  This includes Frick compressors, intercooler, accumulator vessel, holding vessel, auto purging system, water pumps for roof top cooling tower and Stellar control system. The Stellar designed control system includes provisions via software and redundant safety devices, including relief valves, check valves automated valves and manual values. Ammonia sensors are located in the refrigeration engine room and throughout the production area and freezer warehouse. 
 
1.    Accidental Release Prevention and Emergency Response Policies 
We at Arnie's Bakery, Inc. are 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.  Unforeseeably, if such a release does occur, our highly trained emergency response personnel are at hand to control and mitigate the effects of the release.  We are also completely coordinated with Nebraska City Fire Department which provides additional emergency response expertise. 
 
 
2.    The Stationary Source and the Regulated Substances Handled 
Our facility's primary activities revolve around the production, storage and shipping of frozen  bakery goods.   
 
Anhydrous ammonia is the only regulated substance present at our facility.  All of the ammonia inventory is attributed to its use as a refrigerant. 
 
The maximum inventory of ammonia at our facility is 15,533 lbs. 
 
3.    The Worst Case Release  
Scenario(s) and the Alternative Release Scenario(s), including administrative controls and mitigation measures to limit the distances for each reported scenario 
To evaluate the worst case and alternative release scenarios for ammonia we have used the methodology given in the Model Risk Management Program and Plan for Ammonia Refrigeration by SAIC.  The following paragraphs provide details of the chosen scenarios. 
 
 
The worst case release scenario submitted for the Program 3 toxic substance as a class involves a catastrophic release from ammonia used as a refrigerant.  The scenario involves the release of 15,533 pounds of ammonia from a liquid spill evaporating to a gaseous form over 10 minutes.  At Class F atmospheric stability and 1.5 m/s windspeed, the maximum distance of 1.50 miles is obtained corresponding to a toxic endpoint of 0.14 mg/L. 
 
One alternative release scenario has been submitted for the toxic substance present in the Program 3 process. 
 
The alternative release scenario 
for Ammonia involves a release from a relief valve in the ammonia refrigeration process.  The scenario involves the release of 600 pounds of ammonia in a gaseous form over 10 minutes.  Under neutral weather conditions, the maximum distance to the toxic endpoint of 0.14 mg/L of Ammonia is 0.10 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.  In addition, our facility is subject to the OSHA PSM standard under 29 CFR 1910.119.  Our facility is also subject to EPCRA Section 302 notification requirements.  The following sections briefly describe the elements of the release prevention program that is in place at our stationary source. 
 
Process Safety Information 
Arnie's Bakery maintains a detailed record of written safety information that describes the chemical hazards, operating paramet 
ers and equipment designs associated with all the processes. 
 
Process Hazard Analysis 
The methodology used to carry out the analysis is What If-Checklist.  The analysis was undertaken by a team of qualified personnel with expertise in engineering and process operations and are revalidated at a regular interval of 5 years.  Any findings related to the hazard analysis are addressed in a timely manner. 
 
Operating Procedures 
For the purposes of safely conducting activities within our covered process, Arnie's Bakery 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 reviewed and is readily accessible to operators involved with the process. 
 
Training 
Arnie's Bakery has a training program in place to train employees who are operating the process or are associated with the proces 
s.  Refresher training is provided at least every three (3) years and more frequently as needed. 
 
Mechanical Integrity 
Arnie's Bakery carries out documented maintenance checks on process equipment to ensure proper operations.  Process equipment examined by these checks includes pressure vessels, storage tanks, piping systems, relief and vent systems, emergency shutdown systems, controls and compressors.  Maintenance procedures are carried out by qualified personnel with a background in maintenance practices.  Training is provided to the personnel as needed.  Any equipment deficiencies identified during maintenance checks are corrected in a safe and timely manner. 
 
Management of Change 
Written procedures are in place at Arnie's Bakery to manage changes in process chemicals, technology, equipment and procedures.  Process operators, maintenance personnel and all other employees whose job tasks are affected by a change in a process are promptly made aware of and offered training to deal wi 
th the changes. 
 
Pre-startup Reviews 
Pre-start up safety reviews related to new processes and to modifications in the established process are conducted as a regular practice at Arnie's Bakery.  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 
Arnie's Bakery conducts audits on a regular basis to determine whether the provisions set out under the RMP Rule are being implemented.  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 
Arnie's Bakery promptly investigates any incident that could 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 reoccurri 
ng.  All reports are retained for a minimum of 5 years. 
 
Employee Participation 
Arnie's Bakery truly believes that process safety management and accident prevention is a team effort.  Company employees are encouraged to express their views concerning accident prevention issues and to recommend improvements.  In addition, our employees have access to all information collected as part of the facility's compliance with the RMP Rule including information resulting from process hazard analyses. 
 
Contractors 
On occasion, our company hires contractors to conduct specialized maintenance and construction activities.  Prior to selecting a contractor, a thorough evaluation of safety performance of the contractor is carried out.  Arnie's Bakery 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 applicable procedures for emergency response to an accidental release of a regulated substance 

 
 
5.    Five-year Accident History 
Arnie's Bakery has an excellent record of preventing accidental releases over the last 3 years.  Due to our release prevention policies, there has been no accidental release during this period. 
 
6.    Emergency Response Plan 
Arnie's Bakery has 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 updated to reflect any pertinent changes taking place within our processes that would require a modified emergency response. 
 
Otoe County LEPC is the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) with which our emergency plan has been coordinated and verified. 
 
7.    Pl 
anned Changes to Improve Safety 
Several developments and findings have resulted from the implementation of the various elements of our accidental release prevention program.  Continued training, and program reviews are some of the major steps we want to take to improve safety at our facility.  These changes are expected to be implemented in a timely manor.
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