Tyson Foods will pay a civil penalty to the Environmental Protection Agency and create special programs to comply with the Clean Air Act after concerns were raised in regards to the maintenance of their their refrigeration systems.

The EPA’s expressed concerns about 23 Tyson Foods facilities in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, including the Perry Plant.

The company will pay a $3.95 million civil penalty for the mishandeling of chemicals.  According to the EPA, the release of anhydrous ammonia between 2006 and 2010 led to property damage, injuries and the death of a work in a Kansas plant.

Tyson will also provide $300,000 to help purchase emergency response equipment for fire departments in nine communities including Perry.

The new program that is being established will build on the company’s Risk Management Plans for refrigeration systems that use anhydrous ammonia as a refrigerant.  The plans are designed to prevent chemical emergencies by requiring a systematic process for managing chemical hazards including training, worker communication, maintenance and other activities.

A third party audit systen is also being developed to assure the EPA that the plans are in compliance of their Risk Management obligations.

 

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