EPA v. RICHARDSON FARMS INC

Case summary

On May 28, 2014, EPA Region 1 issued a unilateral Notice of Violation and Administrative Order (NOV/AO) to Richardson’s Farms, Inc. for Clean Air Act Section 112(r) General Duty Clause violations at the company’s Middleton, MA, ice-cream manufacturing facility. The facility has a refrigeration system that cycles ammonia through various physical states to cool and freeze its products. EPA Inspectors visited the facility on May 6, 2014 and found some dangerous conditions. The NOV/AO cites two violations of the General Duty Clause (failure to identify hazards and failure to minimize releases that do occur). It requires the company to correct those violations by conducting a process hazard analysis, improving ammonia detection and alarm capability, and developing an emergency response plan. This enforcement action will help protect the company’s employees, neighbors, and emergency responders from the effects of ammonia, which is toxic and can be flammable under certain conditions. The facility is located on a busy street, near an elementary school, a golfing facility, several business, and homes. Also, the company’s on-site ice cream store and petting zoo are open to the public.

Defendants (1)

• RICHARDSON FARMS INCNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• RICHARDSON FARMS INC

  156 SOUTH MAIN STREET, MIDDLETON, MA, 01949-2452

  Registry ID: 110024325559

Statutes cited

• CAA 112[R][1] — Prevention of Accidental Release/General Duty Clause

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• RICHARDSON FARMS INCentered 2014-05-28

  Primary law: CAA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 2014-05-28Final Order Issued
• 2014-08-12Enforcement Action Data Entered