Hormel Foods Corporation Atlanta Plant - Executive Summary

| Accident History | Chemicals | Emergency Response | Registration | Source | Executive Summary |

The Hormel Foods facility located in Tucker, Georgia  is a pork processing facility.  The primary purpose of this facility is to process raw pork into food products for distribution to retailers. 
 
Ammonia is contained in equipment in the facility and is compressed, condensed and evaporated to remove heat from within the facility to maintain safe storage areas and remove heat from the products being handled. 
 
Ammonia is classified by EPA as a toxic chemical and it is necessary to observe certain safety precautions in handling  to prevent unnecessary human exposure, to reduce the health threats 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 the ammonia, the safety devices inherent in the design of this facility, the safe handling procedures that we use and the training of our personnel. 
 
An accidental release prevention program has  
been in place for many years. The facility was designed and constructed in accordance with the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) guidelines, and is in compliance with State codes. This food processing facility complies with EPAs Accidental Release Prevention Rule and with all applicable State codes and regulations. 
 
All of our ammonia refrigeration operators are trained using a formal training program. This program consists of having an effective preventive maintenance program and  comprehensive employee training to insure to equipment integrity. The facility does replace Safety Relief Valves on a 5 year interval as recommended by IIAR. 
 
Our emergency response program is based upon Federal guidelines as they apply to this facility.  The emergency response plan includes procedures for notification of the local fire authority, local emergency response agencies, and notification of any potentially affected neighbors. The facility emergency response plan is based on  
all known applicable regulations and requirements.  The emergency response plan has been discussed with the Dekalb County Fire Department.   
 
The facility has a trained team of emergency responders that are available to contain any ammonia release.  These trained staff are skilled at responding to a release and isolating problem areas within the ammonia refrigeration system.   
 
There have been no reportable accidents or releases in the past 5 years related to the ammonia system.   
 
In regards to the worst and alternative case scenario's for ammonia, the release scenario will reach offsite receptors. 
 
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.
Click to return to beginning