Farmers Cooperative Company - Executive Summary

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Farmers Cooperative Company 
Box 39 
Winger, MN 56592 
 
For further information contact Robbie Jones, Manager-Phone 218-938-4126. 
 
Risk Management Plan-EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
 
1.  The Facility Policy 
 
     The owners, management and employees of the Farmers Cooperative Company are committed to the prevention of any accidental releases of anhydrous ammonia.  If an accidental release should occur, the facility is prepared to work with the local fire company, or other authorities, to mitigate any release and minimize the impact of the release to people and the environment. 
 
2.  Facility Information 
 
    The primary activity at the facility is the storage and blending of fertilizers for sale to farmers. 
 
    Anhydrous ammonia is received, stored and distributed for direct application.  Anhydrous ammonia is used for crop production nutrients. 
 
    The maximum quantity of ammonia stored would be 250,000 pounds in our 30,000 gallon storage tank and nurse tanks.  The maximum quantity handled would 
be the unloading of a tank truck holding 40,000 pounds. 
 
3.  The worst case release scenario and the alternative release scenario. 
 
    a.  The worst case release scenario for anhydrous ammonia would be the release of the total contents of a storage tank released as a gas over ten minutes.  The maximum quantity released would be 130,000 pounds which represents the volume of the storage tank at 85  endpoint (distance to the percent capacity  is limited by design standards.  The distance to the endpoint (point of dispersion to 200 ppm) is 1.12 miles. 
 
    b.  The altenative release scenario for anhydrous ammonia based on the hazard review is a 2 minute release from a break in a 3 inch pipe.  The distance to the endpoint (point of dispersion to 200ppm) is .78 miles. 
 
4.  The accidental release prevention program. 
 
    The facility has implemented the provisions of "Safety Requirements for the Storage and Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia, K-61.1", published by the American National Standa 
rds Institute, Inc. and the Standards of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 29 CFR 1910.111, "Storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia".  In addition, Minnesota Dept. of Ag Rules.   
 
5.  The Five-year Accident History 
 
    a.  There have been no accidental releases of anhydrous ammonia in the past five years that: 
           have caused any death, injuries, or significant property damage at the facility; nor to our     knowledge, have resulted in offsite deaths, injuries, evacuations, sheltering in place, property damage or environmental damage. 
 
6.  The Emergency Response Program. 
 
    The facility has: 
 
    a.  A written emergency action plan, in accordance with OSHA standard, 29 CFR 1910.38. 
 
    b.  Provided state and local authorities the emergency planning and community right-to-know information as required under SARA Title III (EPCRA): 
 
    c.  Coordinated with local emergency responders. 
 
7.  Planned Changes to Improve Safety 
 
     Safety imp 
rovement is an on-going process at the facility.  Periodic evaluations are performed to assess the maintenance of safe conditions.  There are no additional specific anhydrous ammonia safely recommendations for implementation at this time.
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