FARMERS UNION OIL CO. - Executive Summary

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Farmers Union Oil Co. 
P. O. Box 70 
Climax, MN  56523 
 
Cummings Branch 
 
For further information contact Robert Burner,  General Manager, 218-857-2165 
 
Risk Management Plan-EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
 
1.  The Facility Policy 
 
The owners, management, and employees of Farmers Union Oil Co. 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 of anhydrous ammonia. 
 
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 200,000 pounds in our 30,000 gallon storage tank and nurse tanks.  The maximum quantity handled would be the unloading of a tank truck hol 
ding 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 131,000 pounds, which represents the volume of the 30,000 gallon storage tank at 85 percent capacity as limited by design standards.  The distance to the endpoint (point of dispersion to 200 ppm) is 1.12 miles. 
 
b.  The alternative 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 200 ppm) 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 Standards Institute, Inc. and the Standards of the U.S. Occupational S 
afety and Health Administration (OSHA), 29 CFR 1910.111, "Storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia".  In addition, Minnesota Dept. of Ag rules are followed.   

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 deaths, 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 improvement 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 safety recommendations for implementation at this time.
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