PSM and RMP Citations/Analysis

Respondent owns and operates an ammonia refrigeration system at its ice cream novelty manufacturing facility, which maintained a maximum inventory of the regulated toxic substance anhydrous ammonia at the Facility, exceeding the threshold quantity of 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia. The ammonia refrigeration system at the Facility services 3 freezer rooms and consists of 12…...

This is an unusual case in that it involved a 20-pound release of NH3 during a “line break” on a refrigeration system.  There was only a single citation and it came at a price of $38,500.  The employee was injured.  I have been unable to locate an OSHA investigation regarding this incident, which occurred in…...

The Facility uses, handles, and/or stores more than a threshold quantity of ammonia (anhydrous), ammonia (concentration 20% or greater), and chlorine, which are regulated substances, as specified at 40 C.F.R. §§ 68.115 and 68.130. The Facility’s Cooling Tower 2 chlorine injection area contains up to 4,000 lbs of chlorine in two (2) 1-ton cylinders, above…...

Respondent has a P-Tank Farm Vinyl Acetate Monomer {VAM), D-Tank Farm Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI), and the Isopentane and Isopentane/n-Pentane blend Intermodal Transfer processes at the Facility, meeting the definition of “process,” as defined by 40 C.F.R. § 68.3. Isopentane, pentane, acrylonitrile, toluene diisocyanate (unspecified isomer), and vinyl acetate monomer are each a “regulated substance” of…...

Respondent owns and operates a cheese manufacturing facility. On March 22, 2022, EPA performed an inspection of the Facility to evaluate compliance with CERCLA Section 103, EPCRA Sections 304-312, and CAA Section 112(r). Based upon the information gathered during the Inspection and subsequent investigation, EPA determined that Respondent violated certain provisions of CERCLA, EPCRA, and…...

OSHA issued $290,358 in proposed penalties following an August 2023 explosion at a paint factory in Garland, TX. One employee was injured in the explosion at the factory. OSHA issued one repeat and eight serious citations. The repeat citation was a $161,310 proposed penalty. The proposed penalties for the eight other citations are $16,131 each…....

Respondent owns and operates a metal parts heat treatment operation and maintains a maximum inventory of 60,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia, at the Facility, which exceeds the threshold quantity of 10,000 pounds. Respondent uses anhydrous ammonia in its heat treatment process. EPA inspectors completed an announced CAA 112(r) inspection on June 15 through June 16,…...

Respondent is supplied with raw chemical feedstocks by tanker truck or railcar. Chemical unloading operations occur on the eastern portion of the Facility at dedicated tank truck and railcar unloading stations. Several chemicals are stored in bulk at the Facility in dedicated aboveground storage tanks (ASTs), including, nitric acid (one tank), hydrogen peroxide (four tanks),…...

Respondent operates a granular monoammonium phosphate (GMAP) process and a diammonium phosphate (DAP) process at the Facility, meeting the definition of “process” as defined by 40 C.F.R. § 68.3. A different Respondent operates an anhydrous ammonia process at the Facility, meeting the definition of “process” as defined by 40 C.F.R. § 68.3. The GMAP and…...

Responding to a report of workers being exposed to anhydrous ammonia, federal investigators found a Madison ice cream plant lacked sufficient process safety management procedures to control the release of hazardous chemicals.  Investigators with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined the Ice Cream facility failed to document that equipment was…...

Respondent formerly operated an ammonia refrigeration process at a distribution center and warehouse, maintaining a maximum inventory of the regulated toxic substance anhydrous ammonia at the facility exceeding the threshold of 10,000 pounds. At the Facility, the respondent operated a process, as defined in 40 C.F.R. § 68.3, that includes the use, storage, handling, and…...

On or about January 31, 2023, representatives of the EPA inspected 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 over 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia in a process at its facility. Information gathered during the EPA inspection…...