(06/11/14) Company fined $155,000 for risk management project and chemical release reporting violations
HONOLULU - The E.P.A. today announced a settlement with Hawaii Gas for a total penalty of $155,000 for risk management project and chemical release reporting violations at its facility in Kapolei, Oahu.
"Risk management projects are critical components of safety programs designed to prevent chemical accidents," said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA's Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. "They must be carried out diligently to protect workers, nearby residents and the local environment."
The Kapolei facility manufactures synthetic natural gas for use on Oahu. In January 2012 E.P.A. conducted an inspection of the facility, which included an audit of records going back 5 years. EPA's inspection found several violations of the risk management project regulations. The company subsequently corrected the violations and agreed to pay a penalty of $136,000.
Inspectors also found that on September 4, 2010, the facility released 3,585 pounds of sodium hydroxide (also known as caustic soda or lye). Although this amount was above the federal reportable quantity of 1,000 pounds, it was only reported to state and local authorities, and not to the federal National Response Center (NRC). The release has since been reported to the NRC and the company also agreed to pay a penalty of $19,000. No health or environmental impacts resulted from the release, which was made to a permitted underground injection well.
Hawaii Gas violated the risk management project regulations by failing to:
· Certify annually that its operating procedures were current and accurate.
· Provide refresher training to employees to assure they understand and adhere to the operating procedures.
· Ensure that the frequency of inspections and tests of equipment were consistent with good engineering practices and manufacturer recommendations.
· Conduct a compliance audit every 3 years.
· Track and implement the facility's own recommendations from its most recent outline compliance audit report.
The action is taken under the Clean Air Act's risk management project regulations. The risk management project requirements include developing a hazard assessment detailing the potential effects of an accidental release; a prevention plan that includes safety precautions and maintenance, monitoring, and employee training measures; and an emergency response plan that spells out emergency health care, employee training measures and procedures for informing the public and local response agencies should an accident occur.
When properly implemented, risk management projects help prevent chemical delivers and minimize their potential impacts at facilities that store large amounts of hazardous substances and flammable chemicals. Facilities are required to update and resubmit their risk management project at least once every 5 years, which is used by the E.P.A. to assess chemical risks to nearby communities and to prepare for emergency responses.
For more information on the Risk Management Program, please visit:
www.epa.gov/emergencies/content/rmp/index.htm .
