WARNING FROM SHELL OIL COMPANY DO NOT DELETE, PLEASE

SHELL OIL COMPANY DO NOT DELETE, PLEASE READ



Please send this information to ALL your family & friends, especially
those who have kids in the car with them while pumping gas. If this were
to happen, they may not be able to get the children out in time.

Safety Alert!

Here are 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 fuelling
operations.

In the first case, the phone was placed on the car's trunk lid during
fuelling; 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 refuelling 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 fuelling 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 fuelling
lawn mowers, boats, 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 sum it up, here are the Four Rules for Safe Refuelling:

1) Turn off engine.

2) Don't smoke.

3) Don't use your cell phone - leave it inside the vehicle or turn it
off.

4) Don't re-enter your vehicle during fuelling.

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 vapours that come out of the gas that 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.

I ask you to please send this information to ALL your family and
friends, especially those who have kids 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.


 ____________________________________________________________


           Jack Wing
   US. Marine Corps (RET)