A national ice cream manufacturer will pay $115,849 to settle claims by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it violated federal laws regulating the handling and storage of ammonia at its facility in Suffield, Conn. The settlement arises from a violation of the Clean Air Act's chemical accident prevention regulations, which puts public health and safety at risk.
An announcement on the case provides more detailed information about the firm's commitments under the settlement. According to a news release, HP Hood LLC also agreed to complete system safety audits of its six facilities nationwide that have requirements under the risk management program (RMP) regulation.
Statements from an EPA administrator shed light on how such violations can affect not only employees but also nearby communities and environments. "When a company falls short in meeting its safety obligations, it puts workers, local communities, and the environment at risk. With the company operating facilities across the country, we have a duty to call out a lack of accountability when we see it," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Ensuring safety and management practices of hazardous substances is key. We are dedicated to our core mission of protecting all communities, specifically focusing on mitigating environmental pollution and minimizing risks. This case serves as a reminder to companies that accountability and compliance is important. Chemical accident planning, prevention, and mitigation requirements are all steps we make certain of, in order to keep New England safe."
The specifics of HP Hood LLC's violations further underline their need for stricter oversight in their handling of hazardous materials. Information from the news release revealed that an EPA inspection of the company’s facilities revealed that the company failed to note that its ammonia refrigeration equipment complied with recognized and commonly accepted good engineering practices in violation of the Clean Air Act. Among the issues mentioned were inadequate labeling of critical equipment, missing ammonia alarms and failure to adhere to engineering best practices in equipment installation.
The company's disregard for certain provisions of the Clean Air Act underscores the gravity of its lapses. According to the news release, the mechanical integrity requirements of the Clean Air Act's chemical accident prevention regulations were not met by the company because they didn’t conduct piping inspections. EPA inspectors documented that there was damaged pipe insulation inside the facility with potential safety risks and a minor anhydrous ammonia leak. Aside from paying the fine, HP Hood LLC will conduct safety audits at its six RMP facilities nationwide.
