Oklee Farmers Coop Elevator - Executive Summary

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Oklee Farmers Coop Elevator 
PO Box 159 
Oklee, MN  56742 
 
For further information contact Ted Linder, Plant Manager - Phone 218-796-5125 
 
Risk Management Plan - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
 
1. The Facility Policy 
 
The owners, management and employees of Oklee Farmers Coop Elevator are committed to the prevention of any accidental releases of anhydrous ammonia and propane. 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 and blending of fertilizers for sale to farmers, and propane sales and delivery. 
 
Anhydrous ammonia is received, stored and distributed for direct application. Anhydrous ammonia is used for crop production nutrients. Propane gas is used for grain drying in the business. 
 
The maximum quantity of ammonia stored would be 410000 pounds in our  
30,000 gallon storage tank and nurse tanks. The maximum quantity handled would be the unloading of a tank truck holding 40,000 pounds.  
 
The maximum quantity of propane gas stored would be 17,000 pounds in our three 1500 gallon storage tank(s). The maximum quantity handled would be the unloading of a truck holding 3,000 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 130,000 pounds which represents the volume of the 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. 
 
The worst case release scenario for propane would be the failure of one 1,500 gallon tank when filled to 85 percent of capacity (5,400 pounds) resulting in a vapor cloud explosion causing a 1 psi overpressu 
re. According the EPA lookup tables, the distance to the endpoint is .17 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. 
 
The alternative release scenario for propane would be the failure of one 1,500 gallon storage tank when filled to 85 percent  of capacity (5,400 pounds) resulting in two-thirds of a vapor could explosion, causing a 1 psi overpressure. (factor .67 x .17) = .12 miles. According the EPA lookup tables, the distance to the endpoint is .12 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 Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 29 CFR 1910.111, "Storage and handling o 
f anhydrous ammonia". In addition, Minnesota Dept. of Ag Rules. For propane, NFPA-58 rules. 
 
5. The Five-year Accident History 
 
a. There have been no accidental releases of anhydrous ammonia or propane in the past five years that: 
have caused any death, 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 a 
nhydrous ammonia safety recommendations for implementation at this time.
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