HERKIMER COOP BUSINESS ASSOCIATION - Executive Summary |
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THE HERKIMER COOP BUSINESS ASSOCIATION IS AN AGRICULTURAL RETAIL BUSINESS WHICH SELLS ANHYDROUS AMMONIA TO AREA CROP PRODUCERS. THE FACILITY HAS ONE 30,000, ONE 18,000 AND TWO 11,000 GALLON TANKS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 306,000 POUNDS. THE TANKS ARE DESIGNED AND MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE LOCAL, STAE AND FEDERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS. THE KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE INSPECTS OUR TANKS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AND WE COMPLY WITH ALL OF THEIR REQUEST FOR IMPROVEMENTS. THE WORST CASE SCENARIO WOULD HAVE A TOXIC GAS RELEASE OF 131,000 POUNDS OF AMMONIA WITH A DISTANCE TO ENDPOINT OF 2.5 MILES AFFECTING APPROXIMATELY 200 AREA CITIZENS. THIS COMPANY'S POLICY HAS BEEN TO TRAIN EMPLOYEES IN THE SAFE HANDLING OF ANHYDROUS AMMONIA ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE EMPLOYEES WHO WORK IN THE AMMONIA PLANT ARE TRAINED IN THE SAFETY INFORMATION, HAZARDS, OPERATING PROCEDURES AND THE MAINTENANCE PRACTICES OF THE TYPICAL FACILITY. THE EMPLOYEEES ALWAYS WEAR GOGGLES AND THE APPROPR IATE GLOVES WHILE FILLING NURSE TANKS. ABOVE ALL, THEY MAKE SURE TO HAVE CLEAN SAFETY WATER ON HAND DURING AMMONIA OPERATIONS. OUR SAFETY RECORD ALLOWS US TO PROUDLY REPORT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO INJURY ACCIDENTS AT THIS PLANT IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN IS SHARED WITH OUR THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT. THEY'VE TOURED OUR FACILITY AND ARE AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF ANHYDROUS AMMONIA. THEY'VE ALSO, AGREED TO ASSIST US IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. |