PACTIV Corporation - Beech Island, SC Facility - Executive Summary

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Executive Summary for Bedford Park Warehouse 
 
1.Accidental Release Prevention and Emergency Response Policies 
We at Chicagoland-Quad Cities Express, Inc.- Bedford Park are strongly committed to employee, public and environmental safety. This commitment is demonstrated by our comprehensive accidental release prevention program that covers areas such as hazardous materials segregation procedures. Material handling equipment maintenance, and employee training associated with storage of hazardous materials at our facility. It is our policy to implement appropriate controls to prevent possible releases of regulated substances. 
 
 
2.The Stationary Source and the Regulated Substances Handled 
We have 3 regulated substances present at our facility.  
1.Hydrazine 
2.Hydrofluoric Acid 70% Aqueous Solution 
3.Peracetic Acid. 
 
We have varying inventories for these chemicals for this reason we are filing this RMP report under the predictive filing concept. The maximum inventories for these chemicals are 
: Hydrazine 31,000 pounds packaged in 55-gallon drums and 350-gallon IBC. Hydrofluoric Acid 70% Solution 30,400 pounds packaged in 55-galon drums and Peracetic Acid 36,400 pounds packaged in 55-gallon drums. 
 
Drums are transported and stored in wooden pallets and secured with metal strips to protect a drum from falling from a pallet. 
 
3.The Worst Case Release Scenario and the Alternative Release Scenario, including administrative controls and mitigation measures to limit the distances for each reported scenario 
To perform the required offsite consequence analysis for our facility, we have used RMP*Comp?.  The worse case scenario will be a liquid spill and vaporization of the biggest container present in our warehouse. A 350-gallon Intermediate Bulk Container or Tote of Hydrazine is our biggest container. We are considering the building as passive mitigation for the calculation of the toxic endpoint. The alternative scenario will be the release of hydrofluoric acid 70% from a plastic dr 
um damaged with a forklift during handling operations. For the calculations of the toxic endpoint we considered the same passive mitigation and a sprinkler systems as active mitigation components available. Our results from the worse case scenario indicate that we could have public receptors within the distance to the endpoint; therefore we are reporting a prevention program level 2 for our facility. Public Receptors were estimated using Landview III - Environmental Mapping Software. 
 
4.The General Accidental Release Prevention Program Level 2 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. The following sections briefly describe the elements of the release prevention program that is in place at our stationary source. 
 
Process Safety Information 
Chicagoland-Quad Cities Express, Inc. maintains a detailed record of safety information that descri 
bes the chemical hazards (MSDS) for the regulated substance. The drums or tote-tanks used to transport Hydrazine, hydrofluoric acid and Peracetic Acid are manufactured according to DOT 49 CFR 178. Specifications for plastic drums and Specifications for Composite drums (Metallic drums). 
 
Process Hazard Analysis 
Our facility conducted a comprehensive study to ensure that hazards associated with our warehousing process were identified and controlled efficiently.  The methodology used to carry out this analysis was Industry Checklist as recommended by CMA's Warehouse Assessment Protocol. Any findings related to the hazard analysis were addressed in a timely manner.   
 
Operating Procedures 
For the purposes of safely conducting activities within our covered processes, Chicagoland-Quad Cities Express, Inc. maintains written operating procedures. These procedures address various modes of operation such as segregation and storage procedures. Use of forklifts, Loading and Unloading, Examination  
of damage containers and labeling of containers, bracing and stacking and handling damaged containers. 
 
Training 
Chicagoland-Quad Cities Express, Inc. 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.  Refresher training is provided on a yearly basis and more frequently as needed. 
 
Mechanical Integrity 
Chicagoland-Quad Cities Express, Inc. carries out highly documented maintenance checks on forklift equipment to ensure proper operations.  Materials handling equipment examined by these checks include forklifts.  Any equipment deficiencies identified by the maintenance checks are corrected in a safe and timely manner. 
 
5.Five-year Accident History 
Chicagoland-Quad Cities Express, Inc. has had an excellent record of preventing accidental releases over the last 5 years.  Due to our stringent release prevention policies, there has been no accidental release during this 
period. 
 
6.Emergency Response Plan 
Chicagoland-Quad Cities Express, Inc. carries 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. 
 
To ensure proper functioning, our emergency response plan is promptly updated to reflect any pertinent changes taking place within our warehousing process that would require a modified emergency response. 
We at Pactiv Corporation are strongly committed to employee, public and environmental safety.  This commitment is inherent in a comprehensive accidental release prevention program that covers areas such as design, installation, operation, and maintenance of the processes at our facility.  It is our poicy to implement appropriate controls to prevent possible releases of regulated substances and to train employees regarding the safe ope 
ration of processes involving regulated substances.  Although such an event is unlikely, employees are trained to react to unplanned releases of regulated substances.  In addition the plant has coordinated with the local and other emergency response organizations which provide highly trained emergency response personnel to help control and lessen the effects of any unplanned release. 
 
2. The Stationary Source and the Regulated Substances 
The primary manufacturing activity at this plant involves the production of plastic consumer products such as polystyrene foam plates, bowls, and food containers.  We have one substance present at our facility which is regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) under the Risk Management Program.  This substance is CBI-Flammable substance; and is referenced in this document by the term "regulated substance".  The products are also often called "blowing agents" or "expansion agents". 
 
The maximum inventory of CBI-Flammable sub 
stance possible at our facility is approximately 100,000 pounds.  Written operating procedures and high-level alarms prevent more than this amount from being present in this tank. 
 
3. Worst Case Scenario(s) and Alternative Release Scenario(s), including administrative controls and mitigation measures to limit the distances for each reported scenario.  Under RMP, USEPA requires facilities to determine the effects of catastrophic releases of regulated substances.  In the facilities which use flammable regulated pressure as a result of an instaneous release of the largest tank volume utilizing no active measures to control the release of the regulated substance under the worst-case weather conditions.  USEPA defines alternative release scenarios as 1psi over-pressure as a result of a timed release of a portion of the largest tank volume utilizing active measures to control the release of the regulated substance under the neutral weather conditions. 
 
To evaluate the worst case scenario for 
the particular regulated substances and conditions at this facility, we used equations from Appendix D of the USEPA RMP Offsite Consequence Analysis Guidance and RMP Compute, a simplified EPA model based on the EPA's Offsite Consequence Analysis Guidance.  For analysis of alternative release scenarios, we also employed the equations provided by the USEPA in the RMP Offsite Consequence Analysis Guidance and RMP Compute.  The following paragraphs provide details of the chosen scenarios. 
 
The activities at the plant can be categorized by Program 3 of the RMP guidance.  The projected worst case release scenario would involve a catastrophic release from the CBI-Flammable substance storage.  The scenario involves the release of 100,000 pounds of CBI-Flammable substance.  Passive mitigation systems such as dikes were not considered when evaluating this scenario.  The worst case release scenario assumes that the entire quanity of the CBI-Flammable substance storage tank is released as a vapor 
, an ignition source is present and 10 percent of the released quanity participates in a vapor cloud explosion.  Under worst case weather conditions, the maximum distance of 0.40 miles corresponds to an endpoint of 1 psi overpressure. 
 
The alternative release scenario involves a release from the CBI-Flammable substance storage tank assumed to result in a vapor cloud explosion.  The scenario involves the release of 330 pounds of CBI-Flammable substance.  The release is controlled by active mitigation measures that include a deluge system, an automatic shut off valve.  Under neutral weather conditions, the maximum distance to the flammable endpoint of 1 psi overpressuer is 0.03 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 the EPA's 40 CFR Part 68.  This facility was designed and constructed in accordance wit 
h the NFPA-58 Standard, 1967 Edition.  A number of processes at our facility are subject to the OSHA PSM standard under the 29 CFR 1910.119.  We also have an air operating permit under the Title V of the Clean Air Act.  The following sections briefly describe the elements of the release prevention program that are in place at our stationary source. 
 
Process Safety Information 
Pactiv Corporation maintains a detailed record of safety information that describes the chemical hazards, operating guidelines and equipment designs associated with the processes. 
 
Process Hazard Analysis 
Our facility conducts extensive studies to ensure that hazards associated with our processes are identified and controlled efficiently.  The approach used to carry out these analyses is a HAZOP process.  The studies are undertaken by a team of qualified personnel with expertise in engineering, process operations and safety and are revalidated at a regular interval of approximately every 5 years.  Any findings rel 
ated to the hazard analysis are addressed in a timely manner. 
 
Operating Procedures 
For the purpose of safely conducting activities within our covered processes, Pactiv Corporation 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 regularly reviewed and is readily available to operators involved in the processes. 
 
Training 
Pactiv Corporation utilizes a detailed training and certification program to ensure that employees who are operating processes using regulated substances are skilled in the handling, operation, and maintenance procedures associated with these processes.  Refresher training is provided at least every 2 years and more frequently as needed. 
 
Mechanical Integrity 
Pactiv Corporation carries out  routine, periodic maintenance inspections and preventive maint 
enance on process equipment to ensure proper operations.  Process equipment examined during inspections include but are not limited to pressure vessels, storage tanks, piping systems, relief and vent systems, emergency shutdown systems, controls and pumps.  Maintenance operations are carried out by qualified personnel with training in maintenance practices.  These personnel are provided specialized training as needed.  Any equipment deficiencies identified by maintenance inspections are corrected in a safe and timely manner. 
 
Management of Change 
Written procedures at Pactiv Corporation are in place to manage changes in process chemcials, technology, equipment and procedures.  Process operators, maintenance personnel or any other employee whose job tasks are affected by a modification in process conditions are promptly made aware of changes and provided training, as needed, to deal with these changes. 
 
Pre-startup Safety Reviews 
Pre-start up safety reviews related to new processes and  
to modifications in established processes are conducted as a regular practice at Pactiv Corporation.  These reviews are conducted to confirm that equipment and procedures are complete and suitable for safe startup prior to placing equipment into operation. 
 
Compliance Audits 
Pactiv Corporation conducts audits on a regular basis to determine whether the requirements 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 promt manner. 
 
Incident Investigation 
Pactiv Corporation promptly investigates any incident that results in, or could reasonably result in a catastrophic release of a regulated substance.  Thes investigations are undertaken to identify the situation leading to the incident as well as any corrective actions to prevent a potential release from reoccurring.  Reports are kept for a minimum of 5 years. 
 
Employee Participation 
Pactiv Corpor 
ation 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.  Many employees participate in safety initiatives within the plant.  In addition, our employees have access to all information created as part of our facility's implementation of RMP rule, including information resulting from process hazard analyses, in particular.  Production employees sit in all HAZOP studies. 
 
Contractors 
On occasion, our company hires contractors to conduct specialized maintenance and construction activities.  Proir to selecting a contractor, a thorough evaluation of safety performance of the contractor is carried out.  Pactiv Corporation has a strict policy of informing contractors of known potential hazards related to the contractor's work and the processes.  Contractors are also informed of the procedures for emergency response should an 
accidental release of a regulated substance occur. 
 
Hot Work 
The facility maintains a hot work program and issues a hot work permit for hot work conducted on or near the covered process.  Hot work is performed by qualified personnel who complete each permit and fulfill its requirements prior to the start of a hot work operation.  These permits are kept on file until the conclusion of the hot work operation. 
 
5.  Five-year Accident History 
Pactiv Corporation has an excellent record of preventing accidental releases over the last 5 years.  There has been no accidental release during this period. 
 
6.  Emergency Response Plan 
Pactiv Corporation has developed a written emergency response plan to deal with incipient stage fires and minor releases of hazardous materials such as leaking packing on valves.  The plan includes all aspects of emergency response including prompt notification of local emergency response agencies and the public;  emergency evacuations, if necessary ; adequate first  
aid and medical treatment should any be necessary.  The plan is promptly updated to reflect any pertinent changes taking place within our processes that would require a modified emergency response.  In addition, emergency response equipment (fire extinguishers, etc.) is regularly inspected and serviced. 
 
7.  Planned Changes to Improve Safety 
 
Our facility has exemplary occupational safety and health programs which encompass employee involvement, recognition for safe work, and continuous hazard identification activities.  To enhance our continuous improvement in occupational safety and health, we have a Central Safety Committee made up of hourly employees and management staff working together. 
We at Pactiv Corporation are strongly committed to employee, public and environmental safety.  This commitment is inherent in a comprehensive accidental release prevention program that covers areas such as design, installation, operation, and maintenance of the processes at our facility.  It is ou 
r poicy to implement appropriate controls to prevent possible releases of regulated substances and to train employees regarding the safe operation of processes involving regulated substances.  Although such an event is unlikely, employees are trained to react to unplanned releases of regulated substances.  In addition the plant has coordinated with the local and other emergency response organizations which provide highly trained emergency response personnel to help control and lessen the effects of any unplanned release. 
 
2. The Stationary Source and the Regulated Substances 
The primary manufacturing activity at this plant involves the production of plastic consumer products such as polystyrene foam plates, bowls, and food containers.  We have one substance present at our facility which is regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) under the Risk Management Program.  This substance is CBI-Flammable substance; and is referenced in this document by the term "r 
egulated substance".  The products are also often called "blowing agents" or "expansion agents". 
 
The maximum inventory of CBI-Flammable substance possible at our facility is approximately 100,000 pounds.  Written operating procedures and high-level alarms prevent more than this amount from being present in this tank. 
 
3. Worst Case Scenario(s) and Alternative Release Scenario(s), including administrative controls and mitigation measures to limit the distances for each reported scenario.  Under RMP, USEPA requires facilities to determine the effects of catastrophic releases of regulated substances.  In the facilities which use flammable regulated pressure as a result of an instaneous release of the largest tank volume utilizing no active measures to control the release of the regulated substance under the worst-case weather conditions.  USEPA defines alternative release scenarios as 1psi over-pressure as a result of a timed release of a portion of the largest tank volume utilizing acti 
ve measures to control the release of the regulated substance under the neutral weather conditions. 
 
To evaluate the worst case scenario for the particular regulated substances and conditions at this facility, we used equations from Appendix D of the USEPA RMP Offsite Consequence Analysis Guidance and RMP Compute, a simplified EPA model based on the EPA's Offsite Consequence Analysis Guidance.  For analysis of alternative release scenarios, we also employed the equations provided by the USEPA in the RMP Offsite Consequence Analysis Guidance and RMP Compute.  The following paragraphs provide details of the chosen scenarios. 
 
The activities at the plant can be categorized by Program 3 of the RMP guidance.  The projected worst case release scenario would involve a catastrophic release from the CBI-Flammable substance storage.  The scenario involves the release of 100,000 pounds of CBI-Flammable substance.  Passive mitigation systems such as dikes were not considered when evaluating this s 
cenario.  The worst case release scenario assumes that the entire quanity of the CBI-Flammable substance storage tank is released as a vapor, an ignition source is present and 10 percent of the released quanity participates in a vapor cloud explosion.  Under worst case weather conditions, the maximum distance of 0.40 miles corresponds to an endpoint of 1 psi overpressure. 
 
The alternative release scenario involves a release from the CBI-Flammable substance storage tank assumed to result in a vapor cloud explosion.  The scenario involves the release of 330 pounds of CBI-Flammable substance.  The release is controlled by active mitigation measures that include a deluge system, an automatic shut off valve.  Under neutral weather conditions, the maximum distance to the flammable endpoint of 1 psi overpressuer is 0.03 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 acci 
dental release prevention requirements set out under the EPA's 40 CFR Part 68.  This facility was designed and constructed in accordance with the NFPA-58 Standard, 1967 Edition.  A number of processes at our facility are subject to the OSHA PSM standard under the 29 CFR 1910.119.  We also have an air operating permit under the Title V of the Clean Air Act.  The following sections briefly describe the elements of the release prevention program that are in place at our stationary source. 
 
Process Safety Information 
Pactiv Corporation maintains a detailed record of safety information that describes the chemical hazards, operating guidelines and equipment designs associated with the processes. 
 
Process Hazard Analysis 
Our facility conducts extensive studies to ensure that hazards associated with our processes are identified and controlled efficiently.  The approach used to carry out these analyses is a HAZOP process.  The studies are undertaken by a team of qualified personnel with experti 
se in engineering, process operations and safety and are revalidated at a regular interval of approximately every 5 years.  Any findings related to the hazard analysis are addressed in a timely manner. 
 
Operating Procedures 
For the purpose of safely conducting activities within our covered processes, Pactiv Corporation 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 regularly reviewed and is readily available to operators involved in the processes. 
 
Training 
Pactiv Corporation utilizes a detailed training and certification program to ensure that employees who are operating processes using regulated substances are skilled in the handling, operation, and maintenance procedures associated with these processes.  Refresher training is provided at least every 2 years and mor 
e frequently as needed. 
 
Mechanical Integrity 
Pactiv Corporation carries out  routine, periodic maintenance inspections and preventive maintenance on process equipment to ensure proper operations.  Process equipment examined during inspections include but are not limited to pressure vessels, storage tanks, piping systems, relief and vent systems, emergency shutdown systems, controls and pumps.  Maintenance operations are carried out by qualified personnel with training in maintenance practices.  These personnel are provided specialized training as needed.  Any equipment deficiencies identified by maintenance inspections are corrected in a safe and timely manner. 
 
Management of Change 
Written procedures at Pactiv Corporation are in place to manage changes in process chemcials, technology, equipment and procedures.  Process operators, maintenance personnel or any other employee whose job tasks are affected by a modification in process conditions are promptly made aware of changes and pro 
vided training, as needed, to deal with these changes. 
 
Pre-startup Safety Reviews 
Pre-start up safety reviews related to new processes and to modifications in established processes are conducted as a regular practice at Pactiv Corporation.  These reviews are conducted to confirm that equipment and procedures are complete and suitable for safe startup prior to placing equipment into operation. 
 
Compliance Audits 
Pactiv Corporation conducts audits on a regular basis to determine whether the requirements 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 promt manner. 
 
Incident Investigation 
Pactiv Corporation promptly investigates any incident that results in, or could reasonably result in a catastrophic release of a regulated substance.  Thes investigations are undertaken to identify the situation leading to the incident as well as any correctiv 
e actions to prevent a potential release from reoccurring.  Reports are kept for a minimum of 5 years. 
 
Employee Participation 
Pactiv Corporation 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.  Many employees participate in safety initiatives within the plant.  In addition, our employees have access to all information created as part of our facility's implementation of RMP rule, including information resulting from process hazard analyses, in particular.  Production employees sit in all HAZOP studies. 
 
Contractors 
On occasion, our company hires contractors to conduct specialized maintenance and construction activities.  Proir to selecting a contractor, a thorough evaluation of safety performance of the contractor is carried out.  Pactiv Corporation has a strict policy of informing contractors of known potential h 
azards related to the contractor's work and the processes.  Contractors are also informed of the procedures for emergency response should an accidental release of a regulated substance occur. 
 
Hot Work 
The facility maintains a hot work program and issues a hot work permit for hot work conducted on or near the covered process.  Hot work is performed by qualified personnel who complete each permit and fulfill its requirements prior to the start of a hot work operation.  These permits are kept on file until the conclusion of the hot work operation. 
 
5.  Five-year Accident History 
Pactiv Corporation has an excellent record of preventing accidental releases over the last 5 years.  There has been no accidental release during this period. 
 
6.  Emergency Response Plan 
Pactiv Corporation has developed a written emergency response plan to deal with incipient stage fires and minor releases of hazardous materials such as leaking packing on valves.  The plan includes all aspects of emergency respon 
se including prompt notification of local emergency response agencies and the public;  emergency evacuations, if necessary ; adequate first aid and medical treatment should any be necessary.  The plan is promptly updated to reflect any pertinent changes taking place within our processes that would require a modified emergency response.  In addition, emergency response equipment (fire extinguishers, etc.) is regularly inspected and serviced. 
 
7.  Planned Changes to Improve Safety 
 
Our facility has exemplary occupational safety and health programs which encompass employee involvement, recognition for safe work, and continuous hazard identification activities.  To enhance our continuous improvement in occupational safety and health, we have a Central Safety Committee made up of hourly employees and management staff working together.
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