Ashland Specialty Chemical Co.- Neville Island, PA - Executive Summary

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The accidental release prevention and emergency response policies at your facility:  
 
Ashland Specialty Chemical Company (Ashland) relies on numerous policies and programs to ensure early identification of and proper response to potential emergencies, including:  
 
    Training and drills in emergency preparedness, hazardous materials training, disaster response  
    and control, first-aid, and fire-and-rescue techniques;  
 
    Frequent auditing of all preparedness programs; safety training and education; and 
 
    Regular review, follow-up, and maintenance of all company operations and equipment. 
 
Our facilities regularly invite local fire departments and other emergency response agencies to tour and inspect our plants, participate in joint emergency drills, and gain familiarity with our operations.  Many of our employees are members of the Local Emergency Planning Committee, area volunteer fire departments, and local emergency response units.  Our facilities have written emergenc 
y preparedness plans that are updated regularly. 
 
Ashland facilities typically host open houses every 3 to 5 years as an opportunity for neighbors to learn about our commitment to safety.  Ashland makes an effort to support our communities through sponsorship of local activities and participation in many local organizations. 
 
A description of your facility and the regulated substances handled:   
 
This facility produces maleic anhydride by the oxidation of butane and air in the presence of a catalyst.  Butane is the single regulated substance handled above the regulatory threshold quantity.  Butane is received as a raw material in bulk tank trucks at the truck unloading pad and is pumped via flexible hoses into two storage tanks.  Butane is also delivered and stored at the facility in rail cars in the event of weather conditions that would not allow delivery by truck.    
 
For more information, visit our web site at www.ashspec.com or contact the Plant Manager. 
 
The worst-case release sc 
enario: 
 
The USEPA RMP regulations require the worst-case release scenario to assume that the entire contents of the largest vessel are released.  This event is highly unlikely and has never occurred at our facility.  The USEPA also requires the worst-case scenario for butane to be a vapor cloud explosion of the released material.  Vapor cloud explosions are extremely rare events, even when large quantities of flammable materials are released.   Based on our analysis using USEPA-approved methods, the worst-case scenario release of butane could potentially affect offsite public receptors.  In the worst-case analysis, no administrative controls were considered. 
 
The alternative-case release scenario: 
 
The USEPA RMP regulations require an analysis of the alternative-case release scenario.  The alternative-case release scenario represents an accidental release that is more reasonable than the worst-case, but is still highly unlikely to occur.  Based on our analysis using USEPA-approved met 
hods, the alternative-case release scenario for butane could possibly impact offsite public receptors.  In the alternative-case analysis, no passive mitigation measures were considered however, an excess flow valve was considered as an active mitigation measure. 
 
The general accidental release prevention program and chemical-specific prevention steps: 
 
This facility is operated in strict accordance with the USEPA prevention program requirements.  A written management system is in place with operating and maintenance procedures for the covered process.  Our management system procedures ensure rigorous training for operations employees, an effective mechanical integrity program, numerous management checks and balances, and strict attention to changes in the operations with a thorough review and examination of potential incidents that could lead to an accidental release. 
 
Ashland also maintains a 24-hour corporate emergency reporting system that can speedily coordinate emergency response  
with top management and quickly communicate key first-aid or medical information to local health care providers.  This facility has emergency medical treatment information readily available for use in the event of an emergency.   
 
Five-year accident history.  
 
This facility has never had an incident involving butane that resulted in or could have resulted in an offsite impact.  There have been no significant releases of butane at our facility within the past five years.   
 
The emergency response program.  
 
Our employees are trained and equipped to respond to accidental chemical releases.   Our employees regularly undergo extensive training in emergency response actions and methods.  Our facilities regularly invite local fire departments and emergency responders to tour and inspect our plants, gain familiarity with our operations, and participate in joint emergency drills.  This facility has a written emergency response plan that is updated regularly.   
 
Planned changes to improve safet 
y.  
 
Our facility continually evaluates and implements employee suggestions and recommendations resulting from process hazard analyses.  We make changes to improve reliability and safety based on comments and information developed within our organization and the industry.  Toward continuous improvement, we are looking at ways to minimize risk through process improvement, process re-design, and formulation substitution.  Ashland is committed to the Chemical Manufacturers Association's Responsible CareSM Initiative Management Code on Process Safety.
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