Fukushima Daiichi NPS Prompt Report 2013

At around 2:30 PM yesterday (May 28), a cooperative company worker informed a TEPCO employee that oil used for control was leaking from a tube for the pressure indicator instrument of the outrigger* (a safety device against overturning) of a concrete pumping vehicle that was waiting outside of the main gate of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (included in the premises of the power station).

* An "outrigger" is a device installed in heavy equipment such as a crane vehicle, and used for stabilizing the vehicle body by projecting from the lateral side of the vehicle body and making contact with the ground when the equipment stretches out its arm or cranes an object.

The engine of this concrete pumping vehicle was immediately stopped, and the oil leakage was consequently stopped.

Further, a pail can* was used to accommodate leaked oil. Approx. 18 liters of leaked oil was accommodated by the can, and approx. 2 liters leaked onto the ground. The leaked oil is therefore estimated to total approx. 20 liters. Oil has been removed by means such as wiping.

* A "pail can" is a small drum can with a handle, the capacity of which is about 18 to 20 liters.

Since the site is paved with asphalt, it is considered unlikely that the leaked oil permeates the soil. Also, since the site is far from the sea, it is considered unlikely that the leaked oil flows into the sea.

The cause of the leakage is under investigation.

Please note that, as we informed the fire department of this incident at around 1:57 AM today (May 29), the fire department conducted a site inspection and confirmed at 3:10 AM that the leakage had been stopped.

We will explain about this incident at the regular lecture in Fukushima and the regular press conference at our Head Office to be held today.