Hanson Cold Storage Co. - Hartford Division - Executive Summary |
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The Hanson Cold Storage Co. - Hartford Division facility located in Hartford, Michigan is a cold storage warehouse that has a refrigeration system containing ammonia which is considered toxic by EPA. The primary purpose of this warehouse is to store products for various companies at either subzero temperatures or at "refrigerator" temperature to preserve and / or extend the life of the product. The warehouse started up the ammonia refrigeration system in 1965 and is continually upgrading the equipment. Ammonia is used at the warehouse to refrigerate rooms to maintain a correct temperature as required by the customer. Ammonia is a valuable chemical used in the warehouse refrigeration system, providing the means to maintain specified temperature and / or remove heat from the products being handled. Ammonia is contained in equipment in the warehouse and is compressed, condensed and evaporated to remove heat from rooms within the warehouse. Since ammonia is classified by EPA as a toxi c chemical, it is necessary to observe certain safety precautions in handling the chemical to prevent unnecessary human exposure, to reduce the health threat to our own workers, and reduce the threat to nearby members of the community. It is our policy to adhere to all Federal and State rules and regulations. Safety depends upon the manner in which we handle ammonia combined with the safety devices inherent in the design of this warehouse. The warehouse was constructed using codes and standards existing at the time, including the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) guidelines as appropriate, and is in compliance with state codes. The original 1965 room refrigeration units are presently being replaced and will be placed in service in the near future. Warehouse expansions has occurred throughout the past two decades. This cold storage warehouse complies with EPAs Accidental Release Prevention Rule and with all applicable state codes and regulations. The war ehouse ammonia refrigeration operators are trained using various methods such as on the job training, Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (RETA), a nationally recognized authority in ammonia refrigeration, information used by trainers, and contractor explanation and training (contractors are members of IIAR). This program consists of having an effective preventative maintenance program and employee training to insure adequate response to equipment integrity. The emergency response program is based upon federal guidelines as they apply to this warehouse. The emergency response plan includes in-house response capabilities in the event of a release, procedures for notification of the local fire authority, local emergency response agencies, and notification of any potentially affected neighbors. The warehouse emergency response plan is based on all known applicable regulations and requirements and responders are trained as required. The emergency response plan has b een discussed with agencies involved with a response. There have been no reportable accidents in the past 5 years related to the ammonia system. Furthermore, there have been no reportable releases at this facility in the past 5 years. The worst case release scenario for ammonia as defined by EPA, is from the inside high pressure receiver and could extend beyond the Hanson Cold Storage Co. Hartford Division property. An alternative, more likely, release scenario could extend just beyond the property boundary but not in all directions. In all cases of a potential release, the extent of downwind areas affected is dependent on the amount of chemical released, weather conditions, wind speed and direction, etc.. |