Logistics

Transporting Products Safely

Dialog with Logistics Contractors

We are committed to conducting safety activities in partnership with our logistics contractors here at the Mitsui Chemicals Group.
The department responsible for logistics at each of our works organizes logistics meetings with the works' logistics contractors, usually once a month, in order to share information about accidents and other relevant matters, review details of hiyari-hatto (near-miss)^* incidents, carry out onsite patrols and training, and improve communication. We also make every effort to prevent accidents as part of our logistics operations by requiring contractors to undergo responsible care audits and engaging in safety dialog with onsite operators, based on the principle of Sangen Shugi, or “the three actuals” (solving problems by going to the actual location (genba), inspecting the actual situation (genbutsu) and ascertaining the actual facts (genjitsu)).

*: Near-miss: Any narrowly-avoided major accident or disaster

Safety Measures using MSDS and Yellow Cards

As we handle high-pressure gas and numerous chemical substances legally specified as hazardous or toxic, we take the utmost care to ensure that our products are transported safely.
In order to provide logistics contractors with information about essential precautions when handling and storing our products (e.g. hazardous or toxic products), we supply them with material safety data sheets (MSDS). We also require drivers and other operators transporting our products to carry yellow cards outlining measures that need to be taken and information that needs to be reported in the event of an accident.

Yellow card

Eliminating transport-related and occupational accidents

Logistics operators have to perform numerous tasks in high places. Filling a tanker for instance involves working at a height of at least three meters off the ground. In the interests of safety, operators wear safety harnesses to prevent them from falling. They are also required to wear protective gear to prevent burns or injuries from exposure to chemicals.
We are committed to promoting and enforcing basic safety rules.
1. If you cannot see well, get out of the truck and make sure it is safe before reversing.
2. When parked, pull on the handbrake twice and put stoppers under the tires.
3. Always do a full walk-around inspection before starting the truck.
We are also running a nationwide campaign to reduce and eliminate accidents as part of our logistics operations.

Minimizing damage in the event of an accident

In an effort to minimize damage in the event of an accident whilst transporting our products, we have introduced a set of regulations outlining the Mitsui Chemicals Group Logistics Emergency Network (MENET). The network is divided into six areas covering different parts of the country and can be mobilized 24 hours a day.
We also conduct emergency contact and mobilization drills twice a year.