The Environmental Protection Agency was set up by the United States Government to protect people and the environment for hazardous business practices. Tanner Industries was recently named in a suit that stated they violated the clean air act by not following chemical risk guidelines that were created to help prevent accidents. The specific plants named in the suit are located in Rhode Island and Michigan but the settlement terms require the company to improve leak detection systems, at a cost of around 350,000 dollars, in 14 of their plants across the country. Tanner Industries is a major distributer of ammonia.

The hazardous nature of ammonia makes Tanner Industries fall under the regulation of the EPA’s Clean Air Act. The company is required by law to take part and follow regulations set forth in the risk management planning section of the act. The Tanner Corporation did not fully asses all possible risks including any risks that could occur when their Rhode Island facility was not staffed. The company also failed to have a coordinated plan for emergency response in case of an accidental release. Proper coordination is required by law to ensure the public is notified immediately if an accident occurs.

The installation of the new warning system agreed to in the settlement will have newly improved leak detectors that can send a signal to the new alarms that will also be installed. The alarms will alert local communities in the event of an emergency. They will also send a direct warning to emergency responders to put a rescue effort in motion immediately.

The offences occurred at two separate plants so two separate settlements were reached. Both of the settlements feature similar stipulations and both carried a fine of 28,350 dollars each a penalty for violation of the United States Clean Air Act. In the first settlement in New England, the Tanner Corporation agreed to install the leak detection systems at plants in North Carolina, Rhode Island, and several in Pennsylvania. The second settlement was executed in Chicago. Eight additional plants will be receiving the new and improved detection system including plants in Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, North Carolina, and West Virginia, as a result of the violations at the companies Michigan plant.

These actions may seem harsh to some people who work outside the industries. Critics would argue that imposing regulations on corporations may be bad for the economy and stifle job creation. While it does cost businesses money to invest in complying with the Environmental Protection Agencies regulations, the cost of being unprepared for an accident or using irresponsible environmental practices can be devastating to surrounding communities. In this particular case, the Rhode Island facility was located only one tenth of a mile from a neighborhood. Not having a plan for containing an accidental leak with irresponsible and dangerous. The affects of exposure to the concentrated anhydrous ammonia can be deadly. Mild exposure can cause blindness, or respiratory problems including lung disease. So while these regulations may cause a few minor inconveniences for businesses they protect hundreds, thousands, and in some cases millions of people from exposure to toxic chemicals used by corporations.

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Category: Advice
Keywords: Environment, Business, Industry, Insurance