What to do if a battery explodes on you?

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On 2/13/19 A lead-acid battery exploded in a member county road shop. Battery acid splashed on to the employee. Luckily, the employee was not injured because he was wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which included safety googles, rubber gloves, boots, and a long sleeve shirt.

The employee states he brought the lead-acid battery in from outside (The temperature outside was below zero). He set the battery on the heated floor and let it warmup for over an hour. Then he moved the battery to a counter. Before hooking up the charger to the battery, he checked the battery for any damage or bulging. He set the charger to a slow charge. Forty-five minutes later he checked the battery and it was not charging. He wiggled one of the charging cables and the battery exploded. The employee did get some battery acid on him. He immediately stripped off his outer layer of clothes and flushed his skin. Today he has no visible skin irritation.

Why did the battery explode?

Lead-acid batteries can produce explosive mixtures of hydrogen and oxygen gases when they are being charged. When the employee wiggled the cable it probably sparked the explosive mixtures.

The employee believes he could have shut off the charger before he wiggled the cable but also believes the battery would have exploded once the charger was turned back on. Charging batteries is done routinely in this road shop and a battery has never exploded before.

This incident could have resulted in a very serious eye injury (blindness) or serious skin burns. I give kudos to this employee for wearing his PPE.

If employees have the task of charging batteries, please read the fact sheet below. Know the hazards, proper procedures, and proper PPE !

Fact Sheet: Charging Batteries

Why should you follow safety precautions when charging batteries?

Lead-acid batteries contain sulfuric acid and only trained and authorized personnel should handle them. When talking about lead-acid batteries, people usually call sulfuric acid battery acid or the electrolyte. An electrolyte is general term used to describe a non-metallic substance like sulfuric acid or salts that can conduct electricity when dissolved in water.

Lead-acid batteries can produce explosive mixtures of hydrogen and oxygen gases when they are being charged. Note that in some cases, hydrogen gas has been found to interfere with carbon monoxide detectors. Check with your detector manufacturer(s) for more information.

• Charge batteries only in approved, ventilated battery-charging areas.
• Install a safety shower and an eyewash station in a battery-charging area.

What are some precautions to use when handling battery acid?

• Wear splash-proof goggles and protective clothing (gloves and aprons). A face shield (with safety goggles) may also be necessary when handling sulfuric acid in an open system.
• Do not store acid in hot locations or in direct sunlight.
• Pour concentrated acid slowly into water: do not add water into acid. Use non-metallic containers and funnels.
• Use extreme care to avoid spilling or splashing the sulfuric acid solution. It can destroy clothing and burn the eyes and skin.
• Use an eyewash station if the sulfuric acid solution is splashed into the eye.
• Neutralize spilled or splashed sulfuric acid solution with a baking soda solution and rinse the spill area with clean water.

What do I do if someone gets sulfuric acid on their skin?

• Avoid direct contact. Wear chemical-resistant protective clothing, if necessary.
• As quickly as possible, flush the contaminated area with lukewarm, gently flowing water for at least 30 minutes.
• If irritation persists, repeat flushing. DO NOT INTERRUPT FLUSHING. If necessary, keep emergency vehicle waiting.
• Under running water, remove contaminated clothing, shoes and other leather goods (e.g., watchbands, belts). Discard contaminated clothing, shoes and leather goods.
• Transport the victim to an emergency care facility immediately.

What do I do if someone gets sulfuric acid in their eyes?

• Avoid direct contact. Wear chemical-resistant gloves, if necessary.
• Immediately flush the contaminated eye(s) with lukewarm, gently flowing water for at least 30 minutes, while holding the eyelid(s) open. Neutral saline solution may be used as soon as it is available.
• DO NOT INTERRUPT FLUSHING. If necessary, keep the emergency vehicle waiting.
• Take care not to rinse contaminated water into the unaffected eye or onto the face.
• If irritation persists, repeat flushing.
• Quickly transport the victim to an emergency care facility.

Why is there a danger of exploding batteries?

The charging of lead-acid batteries can be hazardous. When batteries are being recharged, they generate hydrogen gas that is explosive in certain concentrations in air (the flammability or explosive limits are 4.1% to 72% hydrogen in air). The spark-retarding vents help slow the rate of release of hydrogen, but the escaping hydrogen may form an explosive atmosphere around the battery if ventilation is poor. The ventilation system should be designed to provide an adequate amount of fresh air for the number of batteries being charged. This level of ventilation is essential to prevent an explosion.

• Always keep sparks, flames, burning cigarettes, and other sources of ignition away from the battery recharging area.
• Wear protective eye wear when working near batteries.
• Do not break live circuits at the terminals of batteries.

What should I do when charging batteries?

• Check the electrolyte level before recharging. If the battery has been outside in cold weather, make sure that the battery is not frozen before recharging it.
• If the electrolyte is covering the top of the plates, do not add more water. Recheck the fluid level after the battery has been recharged. If water is added, use distilled water, not tap water.
• Check that the battery ventilation holes/plugs are clear to allow hydrogen gas to escape.
• When vent plugs need adjustment, follow manufacturers instructions carefully.
• If the battery has sealed vents, do not recharge the battery with a current greater than 25 amps.
• To reduce the possibility of explosions, follow the recommendations of the recharger manufacturer for attaching and removing cables and for operating the equipment properly. Generally, this includes unplugging or turning off the charger before connecting or disconnecting the clamp connections. Carefully attach the clamps to the battery with the proper polarity (positive [+] clamp, usually red, to the positive terminal and negative (-) clamp, usually black, to the negative terminal).
• Ensure that area is ventilated when the batteries are being charged.
• If the battery becomes hot or if the electrolyte spits out from the vent, turn off the recharger temporarily. Resume recharging using a lower current or charging rate.

What should I do when servicing batteries?

• Keep metaltools and jewelryaway from the battery.
• Use non-metallic containers and funnels.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) including splash-proof goggles, apron, and rubber gloves. A face shield may also be necessary.
• Inspect for defective cables, loose connections, corroded cable connectors or battery terminals, cracked cases or covers, loose hold-down clamps and deformed or loose terminal posts.
• Replace worn or un-serviceable parts.
• Check the state of charge of non-sealed and sealed batteries with an accurate digital voltmeter while the engine is not running and lights and other electrically-powered equipment are turned off. Also check the electrolyte levels and specific gravity in each cell of non-sealed batteries. Follow the battery manufacturers recommendations about when to recharge or replace batteries.
• Tighten cable clamp nuts with the proper size wrench. Avoid subjecting battery terminals to excessive twisting forces.
• Use a cable puller to remove a cable clamp from the battery terminal.
• Remove corrosion on the terminal posts, hold-down tray and hold-down parts.
• Use a tapered brush to clean battery terminals and the cable clamps.
• Wash and clean the battery, battery terminals, and case or tray with water. The corrosive acid can be neutralized by brushing on some baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) solution. If the solution does not bubble, the acid is probably neutralized. Rinse the battery with water to remove the baking soda solution.
• To prevent electric shocks, never touch or come in contact with both terminals at the same time. If baking soda solution is applied with a cloth, remember that these solutions can conduct electricity.
• When battery cables are removed, ensure that they are clearly marked positive and negative so that they are reconnected with the correct polarity.
• Use a battery carrier to lift a battery, or place hands at opposite corners. Remember, batteries can weigh 30 to 60 lb (about 14 to 27 kg) so practice safe lifting and carrying procedures to prevent back injuries.
• Use a self-leveling filler that automatically fills the battery to a predetermined level. Never fill battery cells above the level indicator.
• Do not squeeze the syringe so hard that the water splashes acid from the cell opening.

Emelia McEwen | MACo PCT/WCT Sr. Loss Control Specialist |  | (406) 449-4370

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