Page 61 - QH Battery Application Guide

Health
& Safety (cont...)
• Avoid sources of ignition close to batteries.
• No smoking.
• No naked ames.
• Always switch off current before making or breaking
electrical connection.
• Avoid sparks caused by accidental short circuits.
See also Section 2.
3.3 Accident or Emergency Action Treatment
Seek any necessary medical attention and remember that sulphuric acid may have been ejected (See Section 1).
4) WEIGHT
Batteries are generally heavy, awkward units to handle and correct lifting techniques must therefore be used.
5) DAMAGED BATTERIES
Battery plates consist of lead and its compounds but can only be exposed if a battery is broken open. In the unlikely event of this happening any spillage should be well damped, swept up and placed in a suitable acid resistant, labelled container prior to disposal. Normal personal hygiene precautions should be observed. See also Sections 1 and 6.
6) DISPOSAL
Batteries, battery cases, battery acid and lead compounds, must not be burned but must be disposed of in accordance with the appropriate legislation. Used and scrap batteries are classi ed as Special Waste and are subject to the EEC Council Directive on Batteries and Accumulators containing dangerous substances. Those transporting scrap batteries must be registered with the Waste Regulations Authority and operate the Special Waste Consignment Note procedure.
For further information consult the Environmental Department of your Local Authority.
7) FIRE
Since batteries contain combustible materials the Local Fire Authority should be consulted where a quantity of batteries are stored together.
8) TRANSPORTATION BY ROAD
Acid lled batteries are subjected to the Road Traf c Regulations under ‘Carriage of Dangerous Substances and Packages’.
9) GENERAL
Familiarise yourself with the location of your health centre and how to contact your work’s nurse, rst aider or appointed person.
Remember to report any accident, involving personal injury, in your of cial accident book. If any repair or other work on batteries is contemplated ‘The Approved Code of Practice for the Control of Lead at Work’ from the Health and Safety Commission, rst printed in 1980 and revised in 1996, must be referred to. Any additional information, including battery labelling, that is provided to cover speci c battery types and applications must be used in conjunction with this guide.
10) OTHER REFERENCES
BS 6604 :1985 - British Standard Code of Practice for Safe Operation of Starter Batteries. Health and Safety Executive lea et ‘Electric Storage Batteries’ - available free from the HSE or from their web site www.hse.gcv.uk.
Battery Waste Disposal - Scrap Battery Legislation
Automotive batteries are classed as hazardous waste and therefore must be stored, transported and disposed of in accordance with the following pieces of legislation.
1. Environmental Protection Act 1990, Part II
2. Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 3. The Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 – 4. The Controlled Waste (Registration of carriers and
seizure of vehicles) Regulations 1991
5. Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 and List of waste
regulations 2005
6. The Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road
Regulations 2004
7. The Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994
8. The Trans-frontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 1994
Not all the above will apply in all circumstances, for example No. 8 only applies when material is shipped overseas for disposal/recycling.
Tetrosyl Limited Walmersley, Bury, Lancashire BL9 6RE Tel: 0161 764 5981 www.maccess.co.uk
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HEALTH & SAFETY (CONTINUED)