2024/03/30
1. Safety First, Fire Prevention Trash Bags
We present a success story from G company, a chemical manufacturer.
G company uses organic solvents and paints in their manufacturing process.
During operations, excess solvents and paints are wiped off with rags, and ultimately those rags are discarded.
However, there was an incident where these rags ignited a fire in the trash bag.
The cause is believed to be a spark from static electricity generated in the trash bag.
General trash bags are made of polyethylene, and polyethylene has a property called “insulator,” meaning it does not conduct electricity.
Insulators tend to be easily charged with static electricity, becoming charged with slight contact or friction, and accumulating static electricity.
The static electricity accumulated in the trash bag can easily spark.
Many people have experienced feeling a static shock on their fingertip when touching something.
At G company, it seems that the rags used to wipe off organic solvents and paints ignited due to static electricity.
In such cases, trash bags that prevent static electricity buildup are used.
These bags have anti-static capabilities that clear the “surface resistivity value of 10 to the 12th power” recommended by the [National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health guidelines for electrostatic safety] (I assumed this is the intended meaning of “労働安全生成総合検収書の静電気安全指針”), preventing spark fires caused by static electricity.
Please direct all inquiries to the following email address, as replies to this message will be sent to a different address: kfujita@finepack.co.jp
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2. Life in the Philippines Diary
This month, I would like to talk about my diving experience in Puerto Galera.
The other day, I went on an overnight diving trip to Puerto Galera, one of the best diving spots in the Philippines!
Puerto Galera, which takes about 1-2 hours by boat from Batangas Pier, is a small island located off the coast of Mindoro Island, across from Luzon Island.
During this dive, something unexpected happened. While I was gazing at the beautiful coral reef, I suddenly felt a stinging pain around my mouth. I had been stung by a jellyfish!
It seems I was stung without noticing, and my mouth was tingling. Fortunately, I was wearing a wetsuit, so I was only stung on my mouth and escaped with minor injuries, but I felt the power of nature firsthand.
The water temperature was also a chilly 24°C (75°F). However, it was great to see schools of fish and beautiful coral reefs up close. Even though I was shivering from the cold, I was able to enjoy a fulfilling dive.
The town, which was deserted when I visited during the pandemic, is now full of life. There are restaurants lined up along the beach where you can enjoy your meal while feeling the sea breeze.
I thought Puerto Galera would become even more famous and prosperous in the future.
It is easily accessible even from Manila, so if you want to experience a resort feeling, please visit!
