San Francisco-Sausage-maker Columbus Manufacturing has agreed to pay $850,000 and make safety improvements to settle a lawsuit with the San Mateo County District Attorney Office over an anhydrous ammonia release, but still could face another substantial fine by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In its complaint, the district attorney’s office stated that Columbus failed to comply with California accidental release prevention requirements, including properly training employees, updating process safety information, and performing an adequate pre-startup safety review for new equipment. The incident in August 2009, in which approximately 200 pounds of ammonia were released, exposed over a dozen people and impacted local businesses for hours. According to the district attorney’s office, Columbus cooperated in the resolution of the action and is now evaluating the replacement of its existing ammonia refrigeration system with an ammonia glycol system, the ammonia component of which would be located within the interior of Columbus’ buildings. Columbus is also under orders from EPA to address safety concerns in the facility’s ammonia refrigeration systems. Agency officials have said that the company may also face substantial federal fines as a result of the dangerous accidental release.
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