electrolyte, chemical burns, corrosive electrolyte
Category
Battery
If a battery is handled wrongly, its electrolyte can leak out and irritate the eyes, airways and skin. Battery electrolyte can also be toxic, and exposure can cause blindness or serious chemical burns. In some battery cells the electrolyte is acidic and corrosive, so skin contact burns and its vapors can burn the eyes or damage the airways. According to the manufacturer, exposure only happens when a battery has been mechanically or electrically abused or damaged. The highest risk is with vented batteries that have free liquid electrolyte, such as vented nickel-cadmium. Solid or immobilized electrolytes, as in most lithium and valve-regulated lead-acid batteries, carry little or no electrolyte hazard. Do a risk assessment before any battery work. Protect the battery enclosure, never open or deform the battery, and install, run, service and dispose of it the way the manufacturer specifies. When working on a battery, wear rubber gloves, an apron, rubber boots and goggles. If you service batteries with liquid electrolyte, keep an eye wash station in the work area; for other battery work, wear safety glasses. Rinse acid splashes with plenty of clear water for a long time and see a doctor. Get medical help right away if you breathe in acid fumes. Flow battery systems must have electrolyte spill containment, a leak alarm, and signs naming the electrolyte wherever it can be added or removed.
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sentence 3: support check: partial - The acidic, corrosive electrolyte and the burn and respiratory hazards are stated, along with the exposure-only-if-abused wording. The passages do not attribute that wording to the manufacturer, and they do not say it applies to only some cells.
sentence 4: support check: partial - Solid or immobilized electrolytes (most lithium, VRLA) are stated to present little or no hazard. The passages do not state that vented batteries with free liquid electrolyte carry the highest risk, nor give vented nickel-cadmium as the example, although they do describe corrosive potassium hydroxide electrolyte in Ni-Cad.
sentence 6: support check: partial - The PPE list is supported, and so are the eye wash for liquid electrolyte and safety glasses for non-electrolyte work. However, the passages say the eye wash is to be available and the PPE is to be worn, not that it is kept in the work area as a blanket instruction. The statement also leaves out face shield, and the PPE list is mixed with the liquid-electrolyte condition.
sentence 4: review: partial - NFPA 70E supports the little-or-no hazard of solid or immobilized electrolytes (lithium, VRLA), but no passage says vented free-liquid batteries such as vented Ni-Cd carry the highest risk.
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