Minco Grain & Feed Center - Executive Summary |
Shawnee Milling Company operates rural feed stores offering anhydrous ammonia to local farmers. ONsite storage and dispensing of this toxic chemcial varies in quantities based on seasonal application demand. For approximately 3-4 months of the year, maximum quantities of anhydrous ammonia is reduce to less than 20% (14,000 pounds) of the maximum 70,260 pounds held in storage. The company ensures that tanks and components are regularly maintained by qualified contractors. The facility is regularly inspected by both employees, its insurance carrier, and the State of Oklahoma Department of Agriculture. This facility would ahve a maximum of 70,260 pounds of anhydrous ammonia onsite at its peak sales periods. Administrative operating procedures limit the storage tank to 85% of its capacity. The worst case scenario is structural damage to the bulk storage tank containing, at peak operating periods, up to 70,260 pounds of NH3. Failure would result in a near-full release of ammonia wit hin 10 minutes in a rural environment. The toxic endpoint has been calcualted to be 4.7 miles from the tank at which point it would be dispersed enough to no longer pose a hazard to the public. Public receptors includes residences, schools, and recreation areas. There are no environmental receptors within the distance to endpoint. The more probable alternative accidental release would involve overfilling a tank with a maximum potential release of up to 100 pounds. Quantities in the 3-10 pounds are more likely. In this alternative worst case scenario, the toxic endpoint would be limited to under 0.2 miles which would expose less than 100 people and no other commerical or public receptors. This facility has not had a reportable accidental release in the last five years. Employees are trained in the safe handling and storage of anhydrous ammonia by the State of Oklahoma, Department of Agriculture. This facility follows the emergency response plan established by the Grady County LEPC. Employees are not permitted to respond to any accidental release that would require the donning of respirators and full body protection. Employees are instructed to notify the Minco Fire Department in the event of an accidental release and to evacuate the area as appropriate. The stores prevention program includes: * ONly trained employees permitted to dispense anhydrous ammonia |