A chemical company in Ohio has agreed to correct deficiencies in its risk management plan as part of a settlement with Ohio EPA. The company produces detergent-grade sulfonic acid, synthetic detergents, surfactants and emulsifiers. As part of its process, it uses sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide. During an October 2004 inspection, Ohio EPA determined that the facility had seven violations of the rules that govern risk management plans. These violations were resolved in December 2004. However, in March 2011, Ohio EPA conducted an audit and found four repeat violations of problems found in 2004. Outstanding issues include:
- three-year refresher training about operating procedures and
- updating drawings for the process after modifications from 2006.
The company must submit documentation that these have been resolved to Ohio EPA by March 23, 2012. Of the $21,250 civil penalty the company agreed to pay for the violations, $17,000 will go to Ohio EPA’s Risk Management Plan fund; $4,250 will go to Ohio EPA’s Clean Diesel School Bus Program Fund.