Fairmount Chemical Company, Inc. - Executive Summary |
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Fairmount Chemical Company Inc. has carefully developed and implemented this risk Management Plan in full compliance with the Federal law 40CFR CH.1, Part 68, Subparts A thru H and the N.J. Toxic Catastrophe Prevent1on Act. The Management at Fairmount is fully committed to safety and to the effective implementation of safe procedures. It has in place at this time an extensive environmental health and safety compliance program which addresses all Federal, State and local laws and regulations applicable to the facility including an effective RMP for Hydrazine (64%). Fairmount is a specialty chemicals manufacturer located at 117 Blanchard Street, Newark, NJ which employs approximately fifty employees. Like many other companies in the area, Fairmount receives, stores, uses and ships some hazardous chemical. the chemicals at Fairmount include Hydrazine (64%), an EPA regulated toxic substance. Fairmount receives, stores, blends and re-packages this chemical (but does not produce the che mical at this site). An extensive accidental release prevention and risk management plan has been carefully developed and implemented to ensure the safety and health of all persons in the community in the unlikely case of an explosion, fire or other emergency. This includes a management system, hazard assessment, safety information, operating procedures, training, preventive maintenance, emergency response procedures, prevention programs, passive and active mitigation systems and many other related programs and procedures. The worst case chemical release scenario the law requires Fairmount to examine is a rupture of the main Hydrazine Storage Tank (ST-15t) which may contain up to 3,500 gals of Hydrazine (64%) at any one time. Fairmount has in place a properly designed and maintained spill dike with provisions for enclosure to prevent any hydrazine liquid or fumes from escaping offsite. The enclosure currently includes an emergency tarp covering, which is planned to be replaced by a more sophisticated enclosure system by 9100. If needed, a comprehensive Emergency Response Plan is in place which utilizes the cooperative efforts of trained onsite responders, local, county, state and federal responders (if needed) as well as Chem-Trec Hazmat experts (if needed) to help ensure the safety of all persons in the community. The nationally recognized first response guide #153 designated applicable to Hydrazine (64%) would be utilized (if needed) for the worst case or any other alternative release scenario. Written operating procedures prevent more than 8,500 gals. of Hydrazine (64%) from being present in the 10,000 gal. tank. An alternative chemical release scenario required by law to be considered is a transfer hose failure while unloading hydrazine from the delivery truck. A Fairmount employee is continuously present during the written unloading procedure. He could close the proper valve within one minute, limiting the release to 80 lbs. Such a small release would no t result in Hydrazine (64%) liquid or fumes escaping offsite. The RMP* Comp Model, NASA Publications on Hydrazine, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Publications on Hydrazine, the U.S. Census Bureau Intranet Site, Responsible Care Recommendations from Manufacturers, the National Safety Council Environment Writer on Hydrazine and the National First Responders Guidebook were used in developing toxic endpoint information during the initial phases of investigation for this RMP. The initial worst case and alternative release models were later modified with proprietary information including passive mitigation, active mitigation and administrative controls. There have been no accidental releases from the facility involving Hydrazine liquids or fumes in the past five years. Fairmount has a thorough followup system including updates, inspections, retraining, incident audits, etc. to ensure the continued effectiveness of this Risk Management plan and the continued safet y of all persons in the community. |