Fisher Scientific Co-Midwest Distribution Center - Executive Summary |
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Facility Overview: The Midwest Distribution Center in Hanover Park, Illinois is a distribution center for laboratory equipment, apparatuses, and laboratory-grade chemicals. The facility is regulated under 40 CFR Part 68 of the Clean Air Act Amendments due to onsite storage capacities of chloroform, hydrochloric acid, and ethyl ether. At the time of the submittal, the facility had approximately 26,000 pounds of chloroform; 9,300 pounds of hydrochloric acid; and 16,000 pounds of ethyl ether in storage. The amount of hydrochloric acid differs from the quantity reported in Section 1.17 of this document; the amount in Section 1.17 is the threshold quantity of hydrochloric acid. The facility predictively filed for hydrochloric acid in the event that the quantity of this material stored on site exceeds the threshold quantity. Chemical storage is the only regulated process at the facility. Accidental Release Prevention and Emergency Response Policies: The facility's overall approach an d committment to proper chemical management is demonstrated by training, procedures, and maintenance systems currently in place at the facility. The facility is committed to ensuring safe operations in accordance with Part 68 requirements and has established a senior manager responsible for Part 68 implementation and compliance. Release Scenarios: Worst-case scenarios were conducted for chloroform, hydrochloric acid, and ethyl ether for each chemical's single largest vessel based on US EPA's Offsite Consequence Analysis guidance and EPA-approved modeling. The worst-case release scenarios for chloroform and hydrochloric acid consisted of a liquid spill and vaporization. The largest container size of chloroform was 200 liters; the largest container size of hydrochloric acid was 6.5 gallons. The distance to the toxic endpoint for chloroform was 0.02 miles, and the distance to the endpoint for hydrochloric acid was 0.03 miles. The worst-case release scenario for ethyl ether involv ed a vapor cloud explosion of a 20 liter container. The distance to the endpoint was 0.02 miles. None of the worst-case scenarios resulted in an impact to the public or environmental receptors. General Accidental Release Prevention Program and Chemical-specific Prevention Steps: New employees are trained on chemical handling and release prevention during the orientation process. Existing employees receive annual refresher training on proper chemical handling, proper loading and unloading of chemicals, and on material safety data sheets through hazard communication and Department of Transportation training. Five-year Accident History: The facility has had no RMP-reportable accidents/releases of ethyl ether, hydrochloric acid, or chloroform within the five years preceding RMP submittal. Emergency Response Program: The facility has instituted an emergency response team consisting of employees from various shifts. The team has received training as described in 29 CFR 1910.120. The facility has contracted with Clean Harbors to provide assistance in the event of a release. In addition, the facility has coordinated response efforts with the Bloomingdale Fire Department and established a notification mechanism to ensure that the Bloomingdale Fire Department will be properly notified when response is required. The facility has submitted copies of its SARA 302, 311, and 312 reports to the Bloomingdale Fire Department. The Midwest Distribution Center is subject to emergency response plan requirements including 29 CFR 1910.38 and 1920.120. In addition, the facility is subject to the preparedness and prevention requirements of 40 CFR 265 Subpart C since the facility is a small quantity generator of hazardous waste. Planned Changes to Improve Safety: Periodic reviews of the program, training, and maintenance procedures are conducted to ensure that any necessary and appropriate changes are made to maintain and improve safety. Summary: As documented in this s ubmittal, the facility has met Part 68 requirements and has certified compliance. |