You are here:
MULTI-MEDIA ASSISTANCE GUIDE FOR THE AMMONIA REFRIGERATION INDUSTRY
Impact/Purpose:
Compliance Assistance
Description:
Multi-media Compliance Assistance Guide for the Ammonia Refrigeration Industry Both EPA and the Wharton School of Business have analyzed EPA = s Risk Management Plan (RMP) data on the chemical accident history of different industries. Nationally, the industry that was found to have the highest number of chemical accidents (those that involve injury, death, evacuation, or environmental damage) was the ammonia refrigeration or cold storage industry. This was surprising given the other industry groups that also were in the data set, e.g. refineries, chemical manufacturers, and other large chemical processors. Moreover, nationally the ammonia refrigeration industry represents only 4% of the RMP facilities, while accounting for 35% of all accidents. A compliance assistance guide for ammonia refrigeration could help this industry comply with EPA regulations, operate more safely and reduce accidents, and implement environmental management systems (EMS). Rationale and Expected Accomplishments: This activity targets a national industrial sector which has had a high public and environmental impact from chemical accidents and noncompliance. It is expected that increased attention on a sector with a high rate of chemical accidents will help reduce risk from chemical accidents substantially in the United States. Measures: After completion of a comprehensive multi-media guide to environmental compliance for this sector, measures will be based on a reduction of the number of accidents reported by the ammonia refrigeration sector from the 1999 baseline. A Intermediate measures @ may include a reduction of reportable spills (accidental releases over 100 pounds) from this industry; reductions in emissions in the Toxic Release Inventory from this sector; and, number of voluntary A self-disclosures @ from the ammonia refrigeration sector. Potential Partners or Subs : International Institute for Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) and/or the Industrial Ammonia Refrigeration Institute at the Garden City (KS) Community College have expertise with this industry. Regions 2, 3, & 7 have expressed interest in collaborating on this project. Contacts: Jaci Ferguson, EPA Region 7, (417) 891-4392 & Mark Smith, Region 7, 913.551.7876