PSM and RMP Citations/Analysis

Respondent is the owner and operator of the petroleum refinery. Respondent has filed RMPs with EPA since June 21, 1999, with its most recent filings on April 22, 2015, April 23, 2020, and September 2, 2020. The Facility has 14 Program 3 covered processes at the Facility. Each of these 14 covered processes has greater…...

EPA has reached an agreement with a Nitrogen manufacturer to resolve federal civil environmental violations of the Clean Air Act’s chemical accident prevention measures and of federal laws requiring timely notification of chemical accidents. EPA identified these violations following an anhydrous ammonia release that led to thirteen workers being injured at the facility in Arizona…....

At the Facility, Respondent produces, processes, stores, or handles more than 10,000 pounds of ethylene oxide. On November 3, 2019, the Glycol 2 Production Unit experienced a release of ethylene oxide.  Respondent’s Glycol 2 Production Unit experienced an ethylene oxide release involving the knockout pot D-410 of the Ethylene Oxide Scrubber Process. In response to…...

Respondent operated a facility to store and distribute pesticides, fertilizers, and industrial chemicals, including chlorine. At all times relevant to this CAFO, the facility produced, used or stored more than 10,000 pounds of chlorine and was subject to the requirements of CAA § 112(r)(7). The process was subject to Program 3 requirements because it was…...

Respondent is the owner and operator of a facility where on October 13, 2019, there was an incident at the Facility that resulted in an accidental release. On April 4, 2020, the EPA requested, and Respondent provided, documentation and information concerning the Incident and Respondent’s compliance with Section 112(r) of the CAA and 40 C.F.R…....

Respondent is a Gourmet Pasta Company that uses anhydrous ammonia in two refrigeration “processes,” as defined by 40 C.F.R. § 68.3, in two separate systems of pipes and vessels at the Facility (the “Processes”). On October 12, 2016, Respondent conducted a Process Hazard Analysis (“PHA”) for the Facility. On March 30, 2017, Respondent filed an…...

Respondent is the owner and/or operator of a facility that uses chlorine in its chemical manufacturing process. EPA conducted an inspection of the Facility on November 29, 2017, to assess compliance with Section 112(r)(7) of the CAA (the “Inspection”) and the regulations at 40 C.F.R. Part 68. Respondent filed an RMP for the Facility with…...

Respondent stores and uses ammonia at the facility in parts of the storage and refrigeration process. Respondent’s storage and refrigeration process contains more than the threshold quantity (10,000 pounds) of ammonia. Respondent’s storage and refrigeration process does not meet the eligibility requirements for Program 1 under 40 C.F.R. § 68.10(b) and is subject to the…...

SPECIAL NOTE:  This is the first time I have seen a penalty reduction from the COVID-19 impacts on the business. Respondent operates an ammonia refrigeration process with 15,416 pounds of anhydrous ammonia. The Respondent has one RMProgram level 3 covered process, which stores or otherwise uses a toxic substance in an amount exceeding its applicable…...

Respondent owns and operates a beet sugar manufacturing facility…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

Respondent owns and operates an agricultural storage, feed, and supply business. On or about August 13, 2019, EPA conducted an inspection of Respondent’s Facility to determine compliance with Section 112(r) of the CAA and 40 C.F.R. Part 68. Information gathered during the EPA inspection revealed that Respondent had greater than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia…...

NOTE: I have posted this inspection because of the level of detail the inspectors went.  There has been a significant shift in the quality of findings from BOTH OSHA and EPA in their process safety inspections.  This EPA inspection team was well aware that the IIAR Bulletins are being phased out and replaced with ANSI/IIAR…...