At 1530 hours on September 9, 2008, an 18,000 gallon propane recovery system began leaking at the American Welding & Tank LLC, 721 Graham Drive, Freemont, Ohio. The workers were unable to stop the leak. Ohio EPA was notified and requested U.S. EPA assistance with air monitoring at approximately 1930 hours.
At approximately 1930 hours on September 9, 2008, Ohio EPA requested air monitoring assistance from U.S. EPA at the Site. U.S. EPA and its START contractors mobilized and responded to assist with air monitoring.
At the time of the initial call, Ohio EPA was concerned that the leak of propane was continuing and attempts to stop the leak had failed. Although plans were being devised to deal with the leak, the ongoing release had caused the incident commander (IC)who was from the local fire department to shut down an adjacent highway.
While U.S. EPA and it's contractors were en route to the Site, Ohio EPA reported that readings of on-site monitoring equipment showed that vapors in the air at the highway were as high as 45% of the lower explosive limit (LEL). The fire department was trying to suppress the on-Site vapors via water fogging.
The PRP eventually hired EQ out of Detroit, MI, as their contractor and EQ was on site when U.S. EPA arrived and they were trying to stop the leak. U.S. EPA conducted air monitoring around the area and discussed a plan with the IC to further monitor the surrounding are if the leak was not stopped shortly. After several failed attempts to stop the leak, the decision was made to transfer the liquid propane to a tanker truck and then stabilize the leaking recover system.
Approximately 6,000 gallons of liquid propane were transferred to another vessel (truck), and the system pressure was reduced to a point where the leaking valve was able to be removed and replaced.
At approximately 0115 hours on September 10, 2008, the IC lifted the road closure on the freeway once it was clear that the leak had been completely stopped.
At approximately 0130, U.S. EPA and its contractors demobilized from the response.
None, ER complete.
None
Owner had to be reminded several times to call in the spill to the National Response Center (NRC). The spill began at 1530 hours and notification was not made to the NRC (although Ohio EPA was notified)until 2143 hours that evening.
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