Equity Group - Pennsylvania Division - Executive Summary

| Accident History | Chemicals | Emergency Response | Registration | Source | Executive Summary |

Equity Group - Pennsylvania Division is a subsiduary of keystone Foods corporation.  We further process trimmed beef into hamburger patties, package, and sell them to our customer.  Our freezing process uses the thermal medium Anhydrous Ammonia that is alternately compressed and condensed in a closed system to develop the low temperatures operating our freezers.  We currently have 12,000 pounds of Anhydrous Ammonia contained in our freezing system. 
 
Equity Group has implemented a written safety and health program that covers hazardous communication, personal protective equipment, hearing conservation, respiratory protection, bloodborne pathogens, lockout/tagout, confined space, hot work, and forklift training to insure the well being and safety of all of our employees.  Along with these porgrams, Equity Group has an in house emergency response team that has been trained and equipped to the level of Hazardous Materials Technician (level B) to handle limited chemical emergencies.  We als 
o have CPR and First Aid trained personnel to assist with emergencies that could occur at the facility.  Every employee at the facility receives initial new hire orientation training and then annually, a refresher training session on all of the programs. 
 
Equity Group has also implemented a Process Safety Management Program to address the proper operation, maintenance, and modification procedures to the Anhydrous Ammonia System.  All preventative maintenance on the system is maintained and driven by a computerized preventative maintanence program.  The Anhydrous Ammonia system is also required to have non-destructive testing to insure that the system is maintaining its integrity. 
 
This system was installed in 1995 and to date has not had any reportable incidents involving the release of Anhydrous Ammonia. 
 
We have a good working relationship with the Folcroft Fire Company who will be providing services in the event of an emergency.  They have toured the facility to familiarize themselv 
es with the site which allowed for open dialog to take place.  We also have provided information to the Deleware County LEPC so that they can also develop the necessary contingency plans and resource allocations. 
 
The alternate scenerio was developed from an actual event that occurred that involved a safety relief valve lifting resulting in a slow release.  The results of this incident has prompted the facility to move up the required replacement of SRV's every 5 years to the present.  Completion is planned to take place over the next several months.
Click to return to beginning