P & W AG - Executive Summary

| Accident History | Chemicals | Emergency Response | Registration | Source | Executive Summary |

            Risk Management Plan (RMP) - Combined 
                      Executive Summary 
                         P & W Ag. 
                      Tekamah, Nebraska 
 
 
 1. Accidental Release Prevention and Emergency Response Policies 
We at P & W Ag. in Tekamah are strongly committed to employee, public, and environmental 
safety.  This commitment is an inherent part of 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.  If such a release does 
occur, our trained emergency response personnel are at hand to control and mitigate the effects of 
the release.  We also coordinate our response efforts with the Tekamah Fire Department, which 
provides additional emergency  
response expertise. 
 
 2. Stationary Source and Regulated Substances Handled 
Our facility's primary activities include support services for crop production.  We have 
anhydrous 
ammonia stored in a 18,000-gallon tank at our facility in Tekamah (Figure 1, ammonia).  The 
maximum amount stored is 15,300 gallons (78,734 pounds) at the maximum fill capacity of 85 
%. 
 
We also have propane stored in a 18,000-gallon tank located at our facility in Tekamah (Figure 1, 
propane).  The maximum amount stored is 15,300 gallons (64,612 pounds) at the maximum fill 
capacity of 85 %. 
 
 3. Worst Case Release and Alternative Release Scenarios 
We utilized RMP PRO for the worst case and alternate case scenarios of the required offsite 
consequence analysis for our ammonia and propane facility.  The following details these 
scenarios. 
 
           3.1     Ammonia 
 
The worst case release scenario involves a catastrophic release of the entire contents of the 
anhydrous ammonia storage tank (78,734 pounds) in gaseou 
s form over a 10-minute period.  At 
Class F atmospheric stability, 1.5 m/s wind speed, and urban topography, the maximum distance 
to 
a toxic endpoint of 0.14 mg/L is 4.2 miles (Figure 2).  The estimated population within a 
4.2-mile 
radius of this facility is 2,500. 
 
The alternative release scenario involves a release from an anhydrous ammonia product line.  
The 
scenario involves the release of 11,873.12 pounds of ammonia in a gaseous form over a period of 
30 minutes.  Under neutral weather conditions, the maximum distance to the toxic endpoint of 
0.14 
mg/L of ammonia is 0.31 mile (Figure 3).  The estimated population within a 0.31-mile radius of 
the 
facility is 900. 
 
           3.2     Propane 
 
The worst case release scenario involves a catastrophic release of the entire contents of the 
propane 
storage tank (64,612 pounds) in gaseous form over a 10-minute period.  At Class F atmospheric 
stability and 1.5 m/s wind speed, the maximum distance to an endpoint of 1 psi overpressure is 
0.32 
 
miles (Figure 2).  This amount of overpressure can cause partial demolition of houses and can 
result 
in serious injury to people within this distance.  The estimated population within a 0.32-mile 
radius 
of this facility is 900. 
 
The alternative release scenario involves a 30-minute release of propane from a product line that 
contacts an ignition source and detonates, resulting in a vapor cloud fire.  Under neutral weather 
conditions, the maximum distance to a lower flammability endpoint of 35 mg/L at a release rate 
of  
5,000 pounds per minute is less than 0.06 mile (Figure 3).  The estimated population within a 
0.06- 
mile radius of this facility is 50. 
 
 4. General Accidental Release Prevention Program 
Our facility has taken all the necessary steps to comply with the EPA's accidental release 
prevention 
requirements as set forth in 40 CFR part 68.  The following sections briefly describe the elements 
of the release prevention program that is in place at our stationary source. 
 
Process 
Safety Information 
P & W Ag. maintains a detailed record of safety information that describes the chemical hazards, 
operating parameters, and equipment designs associated with all processes. 
 
Process Hazard Analysis 
Our facility conducts comprehensive studies to ensure that hazards associated with our processes 
are 
identified and controlled effectively.  Any findings from the hazard analysis are addressed in a 
timely manner. 
 
Operating Procedures 
P & W Ag. maintains written operating procedures to ensure that activities within our covered 
processes are conducted safely.  These procedures address various modes of operation; the 
information is regularly reviewed and is readily accessible to operators involved in the processes. 
 
Training 
P & W Ag. has a comprehensive training program in place to ensure that employees who are 
operating processes are competent in the operating procedures associated with these processes. 
 
Mechanical Integrity 
P & W Ag. conducts documented maintenance checks 
on process equipment to ensure proper 
operation.  Maintenance checks are conducted by qualified personnel with previous training in 
maintenance practices.  Examples of process equipment that would receive maintenance checks 
include:  pressure vessels, storage tanks, piping systems, relief and vent systems, emergency 
shutdown systems, controls, and pumps.  Any equipment deficiencies identified by the 
maintenance 
checks are corrected in a safe and timely manner. 
 
Management of Change 
Written procedures are in place at P & W Ag. to manage changes in process chemicals, 
technology, 
equipment, and procedures.  Process operators, maintenance personnel or other employees whose 
job tasks are affected by a modification in process conditions are promptly notified of the 
modification and offered training to deal with it. 
 
Pre-startup Reviews 
P & W Ag. routinely conducts pre-startup safety reviews related to new processes and 
modifications 
in established processes.  These reviews are conducted to  
confirm that construction, equipment, 
and 
operating and maintenance procedures are suitable for safe startup prior to placing equipment 
into 
operation. 
 
Compliance Audits 
P & W Ag. conducts compliance audits on a regular basis to determine whether the plan's 
provisions, set out under the 40 CFR part 68, are being implemented.  Any non-compliance issue 
discovered during the audit is promptly corrected. 
 
Employee Participation 
P & W Ag. truly believes that process safety management and accident prevention is a team 
effort.  
Company employees are strongly encouraged to express their views concerning accident 
prevention 
issues and to recommend improvements.  In addition, our employees have access to all 
information 
created as part of the facility's implementation of the RMP, particularly information resulting 
from 
process hazard analyses. 
 
 5. Five-year Accident History 
P & W Ag. has had an excellent record of preventing accidental releases over the last 5 years.  
Due 
to our stringent rel 
ease prevention policies, no accidental release has occurred during this period. 
 
 6. Emergency Response Plan 
P & W Ag. maintains a written emergency response plan to deal with accidental releases of 
hazardous materials.  The plan addresses all aspects of emergency response including first aid 
and 
medical treatment, evacuations, and notification of local emergency response agencies and the 
public.
Click to return to beginning