Respondent owns and operates a facility with the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code of 311230 Breakfast Cereal Manufacturing. The manufacturing facility produces cereal products and snack bars. A refrigeration system is used for the operation of chillers, compressors, and condensers that support manufacturing activities, including the cereal processing area. The refrigeration system uses anhydrous ammonia.
Based on the quantity of the extremely hazardous substance present at the facility, the published occupational exposure limits, the facility’s NAICS code, and an evaluation of on-site and off-site receptors, the refrigeration system in question at the Respondent’s facility is subject to the following requirements of the General Duty Clause:
a. Identify hazards that may result from accidental releases using appropriate hazard assessment techniques;
b. Design and maintain a safe facility taking such steps as are necessary to prevent releases; and,
c. Minimize the consequences of accidental releases which do occur:
On March 27, 2020, contractor utility technicians smelled ammonia. At the same time, they received a call from operations that there was a strong smell of ammonia in the cereal processing area. The plant personnel immediately evacuated the facility and called the city fire department. After 2:00 am on March 28, 2020, fire department emergency responders entered the ammonia room and shut the main refrigeration system valve (the “King Valve”). Facility personnel was then cleared by the fire department to go into the distribution area to start the ammonia compressors to move the ammonia supply into the receiver.