Percival Farm Service, Inc. - Executive Summary |
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PERCIVAL FARM SERVICE, INC. PERCIVAL, IOWA 51648 I. Regulated Substance Handled at this Facility: Percival Farm Service, Inc. is a supplier of farm fertilizer and chemicals in the Percival, Iowa area. Our anhydrous ammonia facility is a new installation with the latest safety features. In consideration for public safety, the facility is located in a non-populated area. II. Accidental Release Prevention and Emergency Response Policy: Because of the hazardous nature of NH3 and in compliance with Section 112 (r) of the Clean Air act, we have accidental release prevention programs and emergency response policies, as well as employee safety training and programs. Our employees have been trained in the safe handling of NH3, the hazards of NH3 and the use of personal protective equipment for safety. This safety equipment includes face masks, neoprene gloves, and proper clothing when in the vicinity of NH3. Water for emergency flushing is located on the NH 3 use tanks, and at the storage area. Our safety policy firmly states that employees must never handle NH3 without always following these rules. There are emergency shut off and relief valves on all storage tanks and nurse tank filling stations are equipped with breakaway couplers. In case of accidental exposure, we have posted telephone numbers of the plant manager after hours, emergency responders which include the fire department and rescue department. The emergency plan states employees will meet at a pre-designated collection point for further direction from the Emergency Coordinator, or in their absence, the Assistant Emergency Coordinator. Within fifteen minutes of the incident of accidental release, the E.C. or the Asst. E.C. will notify the Fremont County LEPC and will cooperate with the Incident commander from the fire department at the scene in order to expedite the notification and safe evacuation of persons from the area to prevent exposure. We have invited our loca l fire department and emergency response teams to our facilities so that they are familiar with our plant layout and emergency shut off systems. III. Worst Case Scenario Vs Alternate Release Scenario: The worst case scenario that we were required to develop for this Risk Management Plan involved a total release of product from the largest storage tanks at this facility. We emphasize that this is highly unlikely. The integrity of the storage tank is certified by professionals, and inspected annually. The more common release, failure of a transfer hose, is the one we used as an alternate release scenario. Transfer hoses are checked annually, and replaced if necessary. If a transfer hose developed a leak, the leak could only happen when an employee was present, as all valves to the transfer hose are closed except during transfer of product by an employee. This leak would be obvious immediately, and the employee would close the valve to the supply hose. The leak would more than l ikely be a small one, and not the diameter of the transfer hose. Therefore, even the alternate release scenario is exaggerated. IV. Five Year Accident History: This is a new facility, therefore we have had no releases during the past five years. V. Emergency Response Program: We are in contact with our local fire and rescue department and the Local Emergency Response Commission regarding our operations. Because we are in a small community, several of our customers and employees are members of our local fire, rescue and emergency response teams. In addition to the training our employees receive, we encourage any emergency responders to attend our safety meetings and to understand our operations. VI. Planned Changes to Improve Safety: We will document the safety inspections of storage and nurse tanks, transfer hoses, valves and application equipment. We will continue training for all new and current employees to insure their safety and the safe operation of our facility. |