If treated with care and taking the proper precautions, lead acid batteries can be handled safely with minimum risk. However, batteries contain sulphuric acid which is both poisonous and corrosive. This makes them potentially hazardous and can cause serious injury when standard handling procedures and safety measures are not respected.
BEFORE WORKING WITH BATTERIES PLEASE READ
THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES VERY CAREFULLY!
HANDLING PROCEDURES
Always wear acid resistant clothing, goggles, PVC gloves and rubber boots – especially where there is risk of splashes. Keep batteries upright and only top up cells of batteries with removable vent plugs with distilled water – do not overfill. Always have plenty of water available, in case of acid spillage.
STORAGE PROCEDURES
Keep batteries clean and always store in a cool, dry place. Where acid is stored or handled, good ventilation is also essential. Keep bungs on containers uppermost at all times.
SPILLAGE PROCEDURES
Wash down small spillages immediately from the windward side, wearing full protective clothing. Use plenty of water and direct the jet to the outside of the spillage, working your way inwards to the centre. Larger spillages should be contained with soda ash, sand or earth and finally washed down with water once absorbed.
DISPOSAL PROCEDURES
Once neutralised, the contaminated material should be swept up and taken to a suitable disposal site, provided by the local authority. Batteries must NEVER be disposed of in household waste.
CHARGING PROCEDURES
Batteries on charge emit highly flammable hydrogen gas. The charger must always be switched off before connecting and disconnecting. Electrolyte levels must also be checked where appropriate before, during and after charging to ensure that the plates are covered – top up with distilled water if necessary. Charging must always be done at the recommended rate of no higher than 1/10th of the battery’s capacity.
FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD
Sulphuric acid in contact with metals generates hydrogen which forms an explosive mixture with the air. If a battery is short circuited, a very high current flows and this can also cause fire through sparks and molten metal. |
