Shell Oil Comments - A MUST READ!

Safety   Alert!  Here's  some reasons why we don't allow cell  phones in operating areas, propylene  oxide handling and  storage area, propane, gas and diesel refueling  areas.

The  Shell Oil Company recently issued a warning after three incidents in which  mobile phones (cell phones) ignited  fumes during fueling operations

In  the first case,  the phone was placed on the car's trunk  lid during fueling; it rang and the  ensuing fire  destroyed the car and the gasoline pump.

In the second, an  individual  suffered severe burns to their face when fumes ignited as they answered a call while  refueling their car!

And in the third, an  individual suffered burns to the thigh  and groin as fumes ignited when the  phone, which was in  their pocket, rang while they were fueling their  car.

You should know  that: Mobile Phones can ignite fuel or fumes

Mobile  phones that light up when switched on or when they  ring release enough  energy to provide a spark for  ignition

Mobile phones should not be   used in filling stations, or when fueling lawn mowers,  boat,  Etc.

Mobile phones should not be  used, or should be turned off,  around other materials  that generate flammable or explosive fumes or dust,   (I.e., solvents, chemicals, gases, grain dust, etc.)

TO of sum it up, here are the: Four Rules  for Safe  Refueling

1) Turn off engine 
2) Don't smoke 
3) Don't  us e your cell phone -  leave it inside the vehicle or turn it off 
4)  Don't re-enter your vehicle during fueling

Bob Renkes of Petroleum  Equipment Institute is  working on a campaign to try and make people aware of   fires as a result of 'static  electricity' at gas pumps.  His company has  researched 150  cases of these  fires.

His results  were very  surprising: 
1) Out of 150 cases, almost all of them  were  women. 
2) Almost all cases involved the person  getting back in their vehicle while the nozzle was still  pumping gas.  When finished, they  went back to  pull the nozzle out and the fire started, as a result  of  static. 
3) Most had on rubber-soled  shoes. 
4) Most men never get back  in their vehicle until completely finished. This is why they are seldom involved in these types of fires. 
5)  Don't ever use cell phones  when pumping gas 
6) It is  the vapors that come out of the gas th at cause  the fire, when connected with static charges. 
7) There were 29  fires  where the vehicle was re-entered and the nozzle  was touched during refueling  from a variety of makes and models.  Some resulted in extensive damage  to the vehicle, to  the station, and to the customer. 
8)  Seventeen fires  occurred before, during or immediately after the gas cap was removed and  before fueling began.

Mr.  Renkes stresses to NEVER get back into your  vehicle while filling it with  gas.

If you absolutely HAVE to get in your vehicle   while the gas is pumping, make sure you get out, close the  door TOUCHING THE  METAL, before you ever pull the  nozzle out.  This way the static from your body will be  discharged before you ever remove the nozzle.

As I  mentioned earlier, The Petroleum Equipment Institute,  along with several  other companies now, are really  trying to make the public aware of this  danger.   You can find out more information by going to  http://www.pei.org. Once there,  click in the center of the screen where it says 'Stop   Static'.

Please share this information with your family and friends,  especially  those who have children in the car with them while pumping gas.   If this were to happen to them, they may not be  able to get the children out in time. Thanks for passing this along.