Battery Acid and Lead-Acid Battery Handling
Construction and general industry · Ver en español
Talking points
- Lead-acid batteries contain sulfuric acid, which causes severe chemical burns on contact with skin and eyes. Wear acid-resistant gloves and splash goggles when servicing batteries.
- Charging batteries produce hydrogen gas, which is highly explosive. Charging areas must be well-ventilated and free of ignition sources — no smoking, grinding, or welding nearby.
- Never lay tools on top of a battery. A wrench across the terminals can create a short circuit, generating extreme heat, sparks, and potentially an explosion.
- When disconnecting a battery, remove the negative (ground) cable first to reduce the risk of accidental shorting. When reconnecting, attach the negative cable last.
- Neutralize battery acid spills with baking soda before cleanup. Flush any acid contact on skin with large quantities of water for at least 15 minutes.
Ask the crew
Are our battery charging areas properly ventilated and free of ignition sources?
Standards this talk is built on
A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.
Run this talk with your crew and keep the record
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Sign-in sheet
Print this page to collect signatures, or run the talk in Jobsite and workers sign in on their phones.
| Name | Signature | Date |
|---|---|---|
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