Risk Management
Working Together to Manage Risk
Dakota Gasification Company has a long-standing commitment to protect the safety of our employees and the public through risk management – continuously reviewing and improving our accident prevention and emergency response program and procedures. Employees are highly skilled and trained to perform their jobs and safely design, construct, operate, and maintain the plant. The facility is also thoroughly prepared to respond to accidents and other incidents with fully trained response teams.
The employees at Dakota Gasification Company work hard to follow all applicable safety regulations and have established strict safety programs and procedures to make the plant as safe as possible. Coordinated emergency response drills are conducted to test response equipment, procedures, and capabilities.
Local Emergency Officials
Dakota Gasification plays an active role in its Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). A DGC Employee serves as a member of the LEPC Board. A primary goal of the LEPC is to protect local citizens by developing and maintaining a coordinated emergency response plan and working with industry to minimize the impact of chemical hazards. Through the LEPC, citizens can obtain information about hazardous substances handled at local facilities and about emergency planning efforts designed to successfully cope with accidents if they occur. The LEPC maintains a coordinated emergency response plan for the community, detailing operational procedures to be followed in the event of an accident involving hazardous materials. The plan is available for public inspection. Dakota Gasification must file detailed information with local, state, and federal agencies concerning hazardous materials located on site and emissions of hazardous materials.
DGC's Commitment to the Public
DGC and local officials are PREPARED to take the following actions to protect the public if incident occurs.
DGC Takes the Following Actions:
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Detects the Incident
DGC has a monitoring system that would provide the opportunity for a rapid response to an incident. -
Responds to the Emergency
In an emergency, the plant response plan immediately goes into effect. The incident command system is established and the plant emergency response team is mobilized. The team is properly trained and uses well-maintained equipment. - Notifies Officials
While the emergency response team is taking action, the plant is notifying public officials of the emergency.
Local officials take the following actions:
- Notifies the Public
As soon as officials are notified of an emergency, they determine whether and how to notify the public about the incident.
- Recommend Protective Action
After further assessing the emergency, public officials determine whether an incident warrants protective action, such as shelter-in-place or evacuation.
- Issue the All Clear
Following an emergency, officials let the public know when the incident is over.
How will you be notified to Shelter-In-Place in Mercer County?
Emergency Alert System (EAS)
Those residences and business within 4 1/2 miles of the DGC Synfuels Plant will be called by telephone and informed of what emergency measures to take.
For those residences and businesses beyond the 4 1/2 miles, turn on your radio. Announcements concerning the emergency, any evacuation information, procedures for Shelter-In-Place, and all-clear signals will be broadcast by regional and local radio. Monitor emergency alert system information on your local radio station. Regional radio stations may also carry news of any significant chemical emergency.
What to do if you are notified about a chemical emergency.
How to Shelter-In-Place
What NOT to do if you are notified