Caledonia Farmers Elevator Co. Lake Odessa Branch - Executive Summary |
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Executive Summary for RMP. CFE, Lake Odessa Branch. Caledonia Farmers Elevator is a local supplier of agricultural crop production supplies to area farmers. We supply farmers with crop protection herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, seeds, fertilizers and professional consultation and custom application. Most of the products we warehouse and sell are similar to products consumers can buy in garden stores, just in larger quantities. However some are more hazardous and require special attention. The only product we store in sufficient quantities to require an RMP is Anhydrous Ammonia, a nitrogen product that farmers apply to fertilizer corn. We have a long-standing safety record in the handling of ammonia with no accidents in more than 5 years. We take our responsibility as a safe handler of Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3) very serious. We are a member of our community and strive to keep it safe from all environmental hazards. Along the line of safety we have developed policy and procedures fo r the safe handling of NH3. I'll attempt to summarize them here. Receipt of NH3 truck transports: * Chock wheels before connecting hoses * Inspect truck & hoses for visual signs of potential problems * Inspect connections from hoses to storage vessel * Inspect valve's for correct position to unload semi's * Begin pumping from truck to vessel * Check % full gauge and pressure gauge * Fill storage vessel only to 85% full * When transfer is completed reverse above order. * Insure the hoses and chocks are removed before releasing truck Transfer & filling of field nurse wagons: * Locate and understand the use of personal protective & emergency response equipment. PPE to include neoprene gloves, goggles, face shield, long sleeve shirt, pants and closed toe work boots. Emergency response equipment to include 2 full face breathing apparatus w/ NH3 canister. Do not take emergency response equipment to the loading stands with you. * Locate & check volume of 150-gallon water bath at the l oad stand. * Chock wagon wheels before connecting hoses * Inspect tank, hoses, valves, fittings and gauges for signs of potential problems * Inspect storage valve's for correct position to load nurse tanks * Begin pumping from vessel to nurse tank * Check % full gauge and pressure gauge * Fill nurse tank only to 85% full * When transfer is completed reverse above order. Maintenance of tanks and related equipment: * Tanks are to be inspected annually for * Visual signs of excessive wear, corrosion, stress fractures. * Operation of pressure & capacity gauges. Pressure relief & bleeder valves, excess flow valves. * Running gears inspected for tire condition, bearings, wear points and reach bar condition. Emergency Response Communication: In the event of the release of a reportable quantity of NH3 * Call 911 this will activate the sheriff, and local emergency response teams * Call the facility and corporate manager * Minimize & contain spill as safely possible. * Notify and evacua te as necessary In the event that all of our planning fails and we have an accidental release. The following information is needed. Worst Case Scenario: Rupture of the storage vessel and all product is released. * Distance to end point is 1.2 miles * Within this distance are 2 schools located southeasterly of the facility along MI. State Route 50 * The northwesterly boundary of this area encompasses the southeastern edge of the village of Lake Odessa and numerous summerhouses bordering the Eastern Shore of Jordan Lake. * There is 1 public cemetery northwest of the facility within the specified area. * Much of the ground to the east of the facility is sparsely populated rural area. Alternative Scenario: Rupture of hose during transfer. * Distance to end point is .1 mile * Notification only to residential household directly east of facility. Emergency Response Plan: As stated earlier we take emergency planning very serious. In so doing we work with the Ionia county emergency respon se planning committee, the local fires department and emergency personnel. We are prepared to in the case of a large release to notify and evacuate any persons in the affected area until such a time, as it is determined safe to return. We conduct training and drills on a regular basis for our employees in an effort to better prevent accidents and secondly what to do in response to an emergency. |