Agrilink Foods, Inc. - Darien - Executive Summary

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Risk Management Plan 
Agrilink Foods, Inc. - Darien 
 
Executive Summary 
 
This is to inform all interested persons, including employees, that Agrilink Foods is complying with OSHA's Process Safety Mangement Standard (called Process Safety Management or PSM), Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.119, and EPA's Risk Management Program regulations (called RM Program), Title 40 CFR Part 68, to manage the risks involved with the storage, handling, and processing of hazardous chemicals.  In this way, we promote overall plant, worker, and public safety.  These programs enable our facility to minimize the occurance and consequences of significant releases of toxic substances, as well as fires, explosions, and other types of catastrophic accidents.  Overall, these programs prevent accidental fatalities, injuries and illnesses and avoid physical property damage. 
 
Our safety programs are applied to any activity involving hazardous chemicals including any use, storage, handling, or the on- 
site movement of such chemicals.  Any group of vessels which are interconnected and seperate vessels which are located such that a hazardous chemical could be involved in a potential release shall be considered a single process. 
 
Our safety programs minimize accidents because they focus on the rules, procedures and practices that govern individual processes, activities, or equipment.  These programs are detailed and improved as necessary.  They are also communicated to and accepted by all employees at the facility. 
 
Description 
 
The ammonia refrigeration process at the facility consists of various pumps, compressors, and condensors that are used to change the state of ammonia from a gas to a liquid in three closed systems.  The system operation is very similiar to the operation of a household refrigerator.  The total ammonia inventory on site includes 58,000 pounds.  The liquified ammonia is used in the freezing of corn, lima beans, carrots, celery, and other vegetables received at thi 
s facility.  The ammonia is also used to cool packaging rooms and maintain temperature in frozen warehouses. 
 
Worst-Case Scenario(s) 
 
Failure of an engine room containing 23,000 pounds of ammonia with the receiver quantity limited to 23,000 pounds of the vessel capacity by facility procedures resulting in a one-minute release.  Under worst-case weather conditions, ammonia could travel 2.9 miles before dispersing enough to no longer pose a hazard to the public or the environment.  This scenerio is unlikely for the following reasons:  worst-case weather conditions are uncommon; industry standards for the manufacture and quality control of pressure vessels; ammonia is not corrosive in this service; pressure safety valves limit operating pressure in this vessel; the accident prevention program in place at the facility including the mechanical integrity program for regular maintenance, inspection and testing, and replacement of equipment, as necessary; installed ammonia sensors in the syste 
m to warn of leaks; alarms are in place to warn operating personnel of process upsets; and the emergency response plan and equipment in place at the facility. 
 
Alternative Release Scenerio(s) 
 
Failure of a 1/4 inch diameter pipe would result in the release of approximately 6000 pounds of ammonia over a time period of 60 minutes.  Under common weather conditions, ammonia could travel 0.2 miles before dispersing enough to no longer pose a hazard to the public or environment.  The 1/4 inch pipe was chosen because it is used to temporarily bleed off a pump so that maintenance activities can be conducted.  This scenario is unlikely due to the following reasons:  the pump is isolated with valves in the closed position and only a few pounds of ammonia would be released; the valves to the pump would have to fail completely;  the facility has an accident prevention program in place including operational procedures that includes having personnel present at all times during maintenance of a pump; 
a mechanical integrity program for regular maintenance of a pump is in place at the facility; routine inspection and testing of valves is conducted; replacement of defective equipment if necessary; and the facility emergency response plan and equipment in place at the facility. 
 
Prevention Program 
 
The general accident prevention program and ammonia-specific prevention steps were developed as required and they comply with OHSA PSM Standard 29 CFR 1910.119 and EPA RM Program regulations in 40 CFR; Part 68.  The key prevention steps at the facility consist of the following: 
 
- Process Safety Information 
- Process Hazard Analysis 
- Standard Operating Procedures 
- Training 
- Mechanical Integrity Program 
- Management of Change 
- Prestartup Safety Review 
- Compliance Audits 
- Incident Information 
- Employee Participation 
- Hot Work Permit 
- Contractor Qualifiactions 
 
Five year Accident History 
 
On April 16, 1999, an ammonia release of 90 pounds resulted in an outside contractor being taken  
to a doctor for observation.  He was treated and released immediately. 
 
Emergency Response Program 
 
The Darien emergency response program is based on the OSHA requirements for Emergency Action Plans (29 CFR 1910.38 and 1910.119) and HAZWOPER (29 CFR 1910.120).  We have trained employees for emergency response and maintain a written emergency response plan.  This plan is coordinated with the Walworth County Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and the Darien Fire Dept.
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