AIST REPORT 2012

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At the briefingThe drillThe drill●Briefing session for employeesIn recent years, the public awareness of environmental issues has increased as demonstrated by the amendment of the Water Pollution Control Law. Since a variety of chemical substances are used at AIST, we gave employees who use chemical substances a briefing session, with a focus on the amended Water Pollution Control Law, on safety precautions when handling chemical substances, and the importance of inspecting equipment to prevent environmental accidents, such as leaks of pollutants into public water areas and groundwater (8 sessions with 286 participants in total). ●Implementation of a drill to prepare for an environmental accidentWe conduct a communication, reporting and emergency-measure drill to minimize damage in the event of an environmental accident, such as an oil and chemical substance leak or spill. In FY2011, we conducted a drill to prepare for a leak of a hazardous substance from the exhaust gas cleaning system located on the roof of an AIST Tsukuba building. If there is a leak of a hazardous substance on the roof, the substance will flow through the rain gutters into public water areas. In the drill, we practiced locating the rainwater drain line and stopping the flow at the rain water pit, and confirmed emergency contact and reporting procedures.We will conduct similar drills on a regular basis and revise the emergency procedures as needed.Reporting of accidents in FY2011●Fire at AIST Tsukuba WestOn May 24, 2011, a fire occurred in the propylene rectification system in the research facility for producing propylene from bioethanol, which is located outdoors at AIST Tsukuba West. This accident caused no personal injury and no impact on the surrounding environment. However, we extend our apologies to those in the neighborhood for causing anxiety.Immediately after the accident, we set up an accident investigation committee to investigate the cause of the accident and to draw up recurrence prevention measures. The committee indicated that the accident was caused by a problem with the construction of the facility and the inadequate operating manual. Also, the committee suggested that for recurrence prevention, facility modifications should be made; the design of a research facility should be reviewed by safety management specialists; and operating manuals and an operation and safety management system should be improved. We confirmed that these measures and a safety management system had been put in place, and approved the resumption of the facility.●Detection of a nuclear fuel material without registration at AIST Tsukuba Central 3On October 10, 2011, uranium oxide (about 54 g) was found at AIST Tsukuba Central 3. Immediately, this was reported to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and to Tsukuba City. The nuclear fuel material found was immediately stored in a lockable safe and is under strict control. We took the incident seriously and performed a thorough inspection of all AIST Tsukuba sites to check if there were similar incidents in other sites. No nuclear fuel materials without registration were found. We will make efforts to prevent recurrence by providing thorough safety training. In addition, in FY2011, we had two complaints about noise and vibration from residents in the neighborhood. We limited construction work on holidays and stopped the operation of the exhaust fan, which were the cause of the noise and vibration.60|Environmental ReportEnvironmental ComplianceEnvironmental Report

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