Risk of explosion from oxyhydrogen gas leak. Risk of skin eye and mucous membranes caustic burn injuries from battery acid (contains diluted sulfuric acid) or metal spray through a short-circuit. Risk of burns from short-circuit.

Eventual risks

Risk of explosion

When recharging the lead-acid battery a highly explosive mix of oxyhydrogen gas is formed.

Risk of poisoning

When ingesting battery acid poisoning symptoms are expected as headaches, vertigo, stomach pain, lack of air, unconsciousness, vomit, caustic burns and convulsions.

Battery acid vapor causes eye burns.

When inhaling caustic burns arise in the mucous membranes and respiratory pipes.

Lead absorption by the body can impair the blood, nerves and kidneys, besides, lead compositions are harmful to human reproduction.

Risk of injury

Battery acid contains sulfuric acid, that causes serious caustic burns on skin and eyes. When handling damaged lead-acid batteries (removal from crashed vehicles), maximum caution is required due to the sharp edges of broken cases and in the direct contact with the lead plates.

Safety / procedure instructions

- Recharge lead-acid batteries in well ventilated rooms.

- Setting fire, generating sparks, voltaic arc welding and smoking are not allowed.

- Do not place tools or other metal objects on the lead-acid battery (Risk of short-circuit).

- To recharge, disconnect and remove the lead-acid batteries.

- Always disconnect the negative terminal first; always connect the positive terminal first.

- Only switch-on the charger after having connected the terminals; before disconnecting the terminals, switch-off the charger.

- Maintain the lead-acid batteries and the battery acid away from the reach of non-authorized personnel.

- Keep the battery acid in appropriate recipients duly identified.

- Only store lead-acid batteries upright.

- Observe the correct connection of the gas release duct.

- Be sure the gas duct is not kinked and has a free passage.

- Observe the service instructions of the respective lead-acid battery and the vehicle operation manual.

- Wear acid protective clothing and safety goggles with lateral protection.

Measures of first aid

Contact with the eyes

 Immediately wash the eyes with plenty of water.

Contact with the skin

 Immediately remove the impregnated clothes.

 Neutralize the acid action with neutralizer or soap lye and wash with plenty of water the acid splashes on the skin and/or on the clothing.

Inhaling battery acid vapor

 Take the poisoned person to an open air location.

Battery acid ingestion

 Drink plenty of water with addition of active charcoal.

Generally after the first aid, medical assistance is required.

Protection measures against fire

Appropriate fire extinguishers

- CO2 and Dry chemical

P54.10-0270-08

Emergency indications for lead-acid batteries

1 Setting fire, generating sparks, voltaic arc welding and smoking is not allowed.

2 Risk of explosion

3 Observe the service instruction

4 Risk of injury

5 Use eye protection

6 Keep children away

7 First aid