Deshler Fertilizer Plant - Executive Summary |
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Accidental Release and Emergency Response Policies: Management and employees of the Deshler Farmers Elevator are committed to the prevention of any accidental release of anhydrous ammonia. This facility complies with OSHA 1910.111 standard requirements. It is our policy to adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. If an emergency does occur, it is our policy to notify the Deshler Volunteer Fire Department and request that they respond. We are prepared to work with the Deshler Volunteer Fire Department, or other authorities, to mitigate any release and minimize the impact of the release to people and the environment. Facitilty Description and Regulated Substances: This facility is a branch location of the Deshler Farmers Elevator Co. We are a farmer-owned cooperative serving our member-customers by providing goods and services to assist them in producing agricultural products. One such product sold to producers is anhydrous ammonia, which is used as a crop production nutrient. One of the primary functions of this facility is storage and distribution of anhydrous ammonia. At this site are two 12,000 gallon storage tanks with a capacity of 104,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia and associated delivery and application equipment. Worst-Case Scenario: Our worst-case scenario is a total failure of one of the anhydrous ammonia storage tanks and damaging the other one, thus releasing the total contents of both tanks within a ten minute span. The maximum amount released would be 104,000 pounds. The distance to the endpoint (point of dispersion to 200 ppm) in this situation is 2.41 miles. Private dwellings with an estimated population of 2200 are within the impact zone endpoint. Alternative Release Scenario: The alternative release scenario based on the most likely potential incident is a break in a transfer hose from the storage tank to a delivery wagon. In this scenario, 4,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia would be released, resulting in an impact zone endpoint distance of .88 mile, affecting private dwellings with an estimated population of 1000. Accident Release Prevention Program: This facility has implemented the provisions of "Safety Requirements for the Storage and Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia, K61.1" published by The American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI) and the standards of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.111, "Storage and Handling of Anydrous Ammonia". Employees are given proper training and the facility is on a regular inspection schedule. Five Year Accident History: We have not had an accident involving the release of anhydrous ammonia that has caused deaths, injuries, property or environmental damage, evacuations or shelterings in place. Emergency Response Program: This facility has a written emergency action plan, in accordance with OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.138. We have provided state and local authorities with the emergency planning and rig ht-to-know information as required under SARA Title III. A written emergency response program, in accordance with OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.120, including pre-emergency and employee training is in place. In the event an emergency does occur, it is our policy to notify the Deshler Volunteer Fire Deparment and request that they respond. We have discussed this with the fire department and a member of the fire department has inspected this facility. Planned Safety Changes: Safety improvement is an on-going process. Periodic evaluations are performed to assess the preservation of safe conditions. There are no specific anhydrous ammonia safety recommendations for implementation at this time. |