Safe working in Battery room | Industrial Battery maintenance safety Tips

The industrial battery room is built in accordance with national and international standards and best industrial practices regarding battery ventilation, stacking and storage, drainage installation, battery room floors, fire detection system and  alarm, safety eyewash location distances, safety shower location distances and battery charging safety requirements. Here you we find safe working practices in battery room and safety tips for battery maintenance work.

 

Safe working in Battery room | Industrial Battery maintenance safety Tips

To work safely in the battery room, you must be aware of the hazards associated with the battery room. As the battery handles electricity, corrosive chemicals, and the risk of hydrogen emission during the charging process, the main risk associated with battery work is electrocution, chemical burns, fire, respiratory risk and ergonomics.

The control of these hazards and risks is essential to work safely in the battery room. Electrical maintenance personnel, especially contract workers, often do not have the proper training, experience and tools to work in the battery room, which can lead to a serious accident. All these safety tips on battery room work and safety in battery maintenance help you avoid accidents.

 

Industrial Battery Room Safety

👉 Obtain an appropriate work permit before starting work on the battery.

👉 Work in battery room should be permitted under the instructions of qualified personnel.

👉 Before starting work in the battery room, check the operation of the exhaust fan, the adequate lighting of the room and the availability of the water supply.

👉 The battery connection bolts should be coated with petroleum jelly and tightened securely.

👉 Do not use metal ladders in the battery room. Use FRP ladders.

👉 Use insulated tools for battery maintenance.

👉 Do not allow anyone to enter battery rooms without safety shoes, chemical splash proof goggles, and clothing.

👉 The batteries must be accessible from at least three sides.

👉 The battery holder must be insulated.

👉 The individual identification of battery cells must be clearly indicated.

👉 Before connecting or removing a battery from a charging circuit, turn off the charger.

👉 An eyewash station should be available near the battery room so that it can be used immediately in the event of acid splash in eyes. A sink, mirror and portable eye fountain or eye wash bottle may be used as alternate of fixed eyewash station but should be provided inside the battery room.

👉 First aid instructions should be posted in all battery rooms.

👉 Do not place tools, wires, wrenches, etc. on the battery cells, as this may cause a short circuit and therefore a fire.

👉 Do not spill water or electrolyte on or around the battery.

 

Safety in Ni-Cd Batteries maintenance

👉 Keep the battery location well ventilated.

👉 Wear rubber/PVC gloves, eye protection, and long-sleeved clothing when working on the battery as the alkaline electrolyte is a strong caustic agent.

👉 Discharge any possible static electricity from clothing by touching a grounded part.

👉 Do not attempt to adjust the battery connection while the battery is charging or discharging.

👉 Always keep the vent cap closed during charging and discharging. This will prevent the CO2 in the air from combining with the electrolyte, thereby reducing the conductivity of the latter.

👉 Use tools with insulated handles / surfaces.

👉 Do not place or drop objects on top of the battery

👉 Do not use devices such as hydrometer, thermometer, etc. those are previously used for lead acid batteries.

👉 Before working with the electrolyte, make sure that enough water is available nearby for washing.

👉 If electrolyte solution is splashed, remove contaminated clothing, wash the affected part of the body with plenty of water for at least 10-15 minutes.

👉 If the eyes are affected, rinse with plenty of water and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

 

Safety in Lead Acid Battery Maintenance

Lead-acid batteries tend to give off hydrogen when charged due to the electrolysis of water in the electrolyte. A mixture of hydrogen in air at a certain concentration is highly explosive. The following safety measures are essential in battery maintenance:

👉 Bare lights should not be allowed in the battery room.

👉 All electrical connections and devices used in the battery room must be flame proof or explosion proof.

👉 The room should be properly ventilated by means of an exhaust fan located near the roof or by other means.

👉 When making electrolyte solutions, personal protective equipment such as a rubber / PVC apron, coveralls, rubber gloves and chemical splash proof safety googles should be used.

👉 Neutralizing agents must be available for application in the event of a spill.

👉 The fumes from lead-acid cells are very corrosive. Therefore, metal installations and fittings must be non-corrosive or painted with acid resistant paints.

 

Summary

Safety when working in the industrial battery room is very important to minimize the risk of electrocution, chemical burns and fire. Here we have discussed some safety tips on battery maintenance and safe execution of electrical work in the battery room by controlling the activities through a work permit and ensuring the competence of the electrician.

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