Akzo Nobel Chemicals Inc. Deer Park - Executive Summary |
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Akzo Nobel Chemicals is a portion of Akzo Nobel b.v., which is a worldwide manufacturer of Health Care Products, Coatings, Chemicals and Fibers. It is our corporate policy that: Concern for health, safety, and the environment is an integral part of our business policy. We actively support the guiding principles of the Business Charter for Sustainable Development (International Chamber of Commerce), the Responsible Care. (chemical industry), and the Coatings Care Program (coatings industry). In addition to compliance with regulatory requirements, we pursue the following general objectives: We seek to conduct our activities in such a way as to prevent harm to the health of our employees and others. We strive to prevent all injuries associated with our activities or those of our contractors. We protect the environment by preventing or reducing the environmental impact of our activities and products through appropriate design, ma nufacturing, distribution, use, and disposal. To meet these objectives, Akzo Nobel is guided by the following principles: integration of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) into operations as a line of responsibility implementation of an HSE policy for all of our activities and products leading to a sustainable business open internal and external communication including HSE reporting; cooperation with others in the development of HSE regulations, industry standards and in resolving problems created by past handling and disposal of hazardous substances improvement of HSE aspects of products and processes through targeted research motivation of employees to work in an HSE-responsible manner by proper education and training The policy of Akzo Nobel, Inc. Deer Park Plant is to manage Metal Alkyl manufacturing activities in a responsible manner. We will protect the safety and health of our employees, contra ctors, customers, the public and ensure maximum protection of the environment. In carrying out this policy: ( Safety, Health & Environmental (SH&E) activities will not be compromised by production or operating expediency. ( Safety, Health and the Environment are a line responsibility. All employees will be actively involved in daily SH&E activities. Management and supervision at all levels will lead a continual improvement effort in SH&E performance through example, active involvement and the commitment of resources. ( Akzo Nobel will comply with applicable Federal, State and Local SH&E laws, regulations and permits. ( Akzo Nobel will continue it's Responsible Care and ISO 14001 commitment and where applicable, establish standards, procedures or guidelines consistent with Corporate policy where guidelines are non-existent or require clarification. ( Exposure to hazards that could cause physical harm, injury, or adverse health and environmental effects will be evaluated an d eliminated or minimized through the use of engineering controls and/or accepted industrial practices. ( Periodic performance measurements will be used to ensure continual improvement in SH&E management systems. ( Akzo Nobel will eliminate, where possible, environmental impacts of manufacturing activities. We will actively reduce the generation of waste and emissions to air, water and land. The site will provide and maintain a healthful working environment. ( Akzo Nobel, Deer Park will communicate the SH&E policy to employees, contractors and interested parties. All employees and contractors will participate to ensure the successful implementation of this policy as a condition of employment and/or contract. Our goal is to create an accident and injury free work environment at the Deer Park Plant. We will foster a work environment where we have a positive and proactive attitude and commitment to safety, health and environmental issues. It is the responsibility of each emplo yee to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with this policy. Akzo Nobel Deer Park manufacturers metal alkyl compounds which are primarily used as catalyst or co-catalyst for polymer manufacturing. The site has one toxic chemical, Methyl Chloride, which is above the Risk Management reporting threshold. The Site also uses several flammable chemicals, five of which are covered RMP chemicals. Specific details of the chemicals and impact distances are in the Risk Management plan submitted to the EPA and emergency responders in the Deer Park / LaPorte Texas area. Additionally, the site participated in voluntary public information dissemination activities where the stakeholders -- neighboring plants, public officials and general public -- were invited and educated on the Risk Management Plan. The impacts of both Worst Case Scenarios and Alternate Release Scenarios were presented in oral, printed and graphical forms in three separate public events in the Pasadena and LaPorte areas. Copies of the printed materials, beyond the required RMP submittals, have been given to the LaPorte and Deer Park LEPC's, as well as neighboring schools and area libraries. The site keeps copies of the submitted materials for interested parties. The Worst Case Scenario reported per the RMP regulation for flammable chemicals has the theoretical potential to impact surrounding facilities (chemical manufacturing facilities) and the public access state highway (State Highway 143 - Battleground Road) that is adjacent to the facility. The Alternate Release Scenario is predicted to impact only the site and vacant land directly adjacent to the site. The Worst Case Scenario for the toxic chemical located on the site can theoretically impact neighboring facilities, State Highway 143 (Battleground Road), State Highway 225 (LaPorte Freeway) and neighboring industrial and light industrial businesses. The Alternate Release Scenario for the toxic chemical is predicted to impact an area n early equivalent to the flammable chemical Worst Case Scenario. None of the toxic or flammable chemical Worst Case or Alternate Release Scenarios is expected to impact local residencies, schools, hospitals or environmentally sensitive areas. The plant has had an active program to prevent potential incidents, respond quickly to emergencies and reduce impacts of any materials it handles in the plant. Examples of activities under the program include trained personnel operating and maintaining our processes, cooperative industry response alliances (Channel Industries Mutual Aid or CIMA) and close interaction with Community response agencies (LEPC, Fire Departments). The storage of chemicals on site is minimized and chemicals are kept on site on an as needed basis. Fail safe systems are installed to protect our personnel as well as the public from effects of release or impacts of on site chemicals. Personnel are trained to quickly respond to mitigate damage to personnel, public an d property. A community notification system is in place and personnel are trained to inform the public of any incident or event that has an impact or possible effect with an emphasis on public protection. There have been no releases of RMP, SARA or CERCLA reportable toxic or flammable chemicals in the five-year accident history of the plant. As a mitigation measure, the site maintains an Emergency Action Plan which has been developed based on best management practices, regulatory requirements, voluntary compliance programs (OSHA VPP, ISO 14001), corporate guidance and industry sharing of experience. The plan includes specific response to many possible emergency and release scenarios. The plan is refined continually as a result of practice and drills, including critiques by outside experts and community advice. The site is strengthening its safety program via participation in the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program, its environmental program by maintaining its ISO 14000 certificat ion. The site has an active program for continual improvement through objective development, planning, project development and management review. |