[caption id="attachment_4352" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Ammonia gas"]
[/caption]SEATTLE, WASH - EPA/ GHN News - Environmental
issues continue to be part of the EPA targeting, as two Washington
ammonia fertilizer distributors have agreed to pay over $33,000 for
failing to update their plans for preventing chemical releases at eight
facilities throughout Washington.
AG Link, Inc. will pay $13,521 and Colfax Grange Supply Co., Inc. will pay
$19,986 to settle alleged violations of the Risk Management provisions
of section 112(r) of the federal Clean Air Act.
of section 112(r) of the federal Clean Air Act.
In
October 2009, EPA discovered that AG Link, Colfax and their eight
facilities located at Almira, Davenport, Edwall, Coulee City, Reardan,
Colfax, Wilbur, and Steptoe, Washington failed to update their risk
management practices at least every five years as required by the CAA.
The facilities store more than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia, which
exceeds the threshold quantity that triggers federal planning
requirements.
October 2009, EPA discovered that AG Link, Colfax and their eight
facilities located at Almira, Davenport, Edwall, Coulee City, Reardan,
Colfax, Wilbur, and Steptoe, Washington failed to update their risk
management practices at least every five years as required by the CAA.
The facilities store more than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia, which
exceeds the threshold quantity that triggers federal planning
requirements.
According
to Wally Moon, EPA’s prevention team leader in EPA’s Emergency Response
program in Seattle, having a solid prevention program in place can help
a facility keep a dangerous situation under control if a workplace
accident occurs.
to Wally Moon, EPA’s prevention team leader in EPA’s Emergency Response
program in Seattle, having a solid prevention program in place can help
a facility keep a dangerous situation under control if a workplace
accident occurs.
“Companies with large amounts of ammonia
on-site must have a solid, comprehensive leak prevention program in
place,” said EPA’s Moon. “They have a responsibility to protect workers,
emergency responders and the community to make sure a serious accident
doesn’t occur.”
As a result of this enforcement action, AG Link and Colfax are reported by the EPA to have corrected their violations.
The required risk management plans consists of the following:
- Identifying hazards
- Maintenance of equipment
- Training of operators
- Emergency response plan
Anhydrous
ammonia is a chemical used in refrigeration and agriculture. Ammonia is
a colorless gas that can cause severe burns to skin, eyes, throat, and
ammonia is a chemical used in refrigeration and agriculture. Ammonia is
a colorless gas that can cause severe burns to skin, eyes, throat, and
lungs, and with high enough exposure, death.
