Tyson settlement includes Monett facility

Springdale, Ark.-based meat processor Tyson Foods Inc. last week agreed to pay a $3.95 million civil penalty settling alleged violations of the national Clean Air Act. Tyson facilities involved span four states, including one in Monett.

The settlement absolves allegations that in eight separate incidents between 2006 and 2010, Tyson facilities accidentally released anhydrous ammonia - a poisonous gas commonly used in industrial refrigeration systems - resulting in property damage, multiple injuries and one death, according to a news release from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“This settlement will protect workers at Tyson facilities throughout Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska that use anhydrous ammonia, and make the communities surrounding these 23 facilities safer,” said Ignacia Moreno, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, in the release. “It will also provide emergency response equipment for first responders to chemical releases.

"The requirements of this agreement, which include comprehensive third party audits, will help mitigate the impact of releases of anhydrous ammonia by ensuring compliance with the risk management program under the Clean Air Act.”

Dating back to October 2006, EPA officials found multiple violations of the Clean Air Act's chemical accident prevention provisions at Tyson's facilities, including failures to follow industry standards to test or replace safety relief valves and improperly located machinery.

The 23 facilities listed in the settlement have a combined anhydrous ammonia inventory of more than 1.7 million pounds, the release said.

In addition to the $3.95 million penalty, Tyson also will spend at least $300,000 to purchase anhydrous ammonia related emergency response equipment for fire departments in eight communities, including $26,855 in Monett.[[In-content Ad]]