Exide Technologies Section 93.10 - Manual (Page 4)

SECTION 1
1.0 General Information
Caution! Before proceeding with the unpacking, handling,
installation and operation of this lead-acid storage battery,
the following general information should be reviewed togeth-
er with the recommended safety precautions.
A lead-acid battery is an electro-chemical device containing
electrolyte which is a dilute solution of sulfuric acid and
water. This electrolyte is corrosive and can cause injury.
Lead-acid batteries, when installed, are capable of high volt-
age which can cause electrical shocks to personnel.
All lead-acid batteries, in the course of normal operation,
generate gases which could be explosive.
Stationary batteries (when installed) are usually on float
charge continually, unless on discharge in the event of AC
failure, or on recharge following a discharge.
SECTION 2
BATTERY WARNING STATEMENT
DANGER
2.0 Safety Precautions
A. Wear rubber apron, gloves and safety goggles (or face
shield) when handling, installing, or working with batter-
ies. This will help prevent injury due to splashing or
spillage of sulfuric acid.
B. Prohibit smoking. Keep flames and sparks of all kinds away
from vicinity of storage batteries as liberated or entrapped
hydrogen gas in the cells may be exploded,causing injury to
personnel and damage to cells.
C. Never place metal tools on top of cells, since sparks due to
shorting across cell terminals may result in an explosion of
hydrogen gas in or near the cells. Insulate tool handles to
protect against shorting.
D. When preparing electrolyte, always pour acid into water,
NEVER water into acid. Failure to follow this precaution
will result in excess heat and violent chemical reaction
which may cause serious injury to personnel.
E. If electrolyte comes into contact with skin or clothing,
immediately wash with water and neutralize with a solu-
tion of baking soda and water. Secure medical treat-
ment. If electrolyte comes into contact with the eyes,
wash or flush with plenty of clean water. Secure medical
treatment immediately.
F. Exercise care when handling cells. When lifting straps
and strap spreaders are provided, use them with appro-
priate mechanical equipment to safely handle cells and
avoid injury to personnel.
G. Promptly neutralize and remove any electrolyte spilled
when handling or installing cells. Use a baking soda/water
solution (1 lb. per gallon of water) to prevent possible
injury to personnel.
H. Make sure that all battery connections are properly pre-
pared and tightened to prevent possible injury to per-
sonnel or failure of system.
I. Familiarize personnel with battery installation, charging
and maintenance procedures. Restrict access to battery
area, permitting trained personnel only, to reduce the
possibility of injury.
J. Whenever possible, when making repairs to charging
equipment and/or batteries, interrupt AC and DC circuits
to reduce the possibility of injury to personnel and dam-
age to system equipment. This is particularly important
with high voltage systems (110 volts and above).
K. When maintaining a connected battery string, care
must be taken to prevent a build-up of static charge.
This danger is particularly significant when the worker is
electrically isolated, ie. working on a rubber mat or an
epoxy painted floor or wearing rubber shoes. Prior to
making contact with the cell, discharge static elec-
tricity by touching a grounded surface. Wearing a
ground strap while working on a connected battery string
is not recommended.
NOTE: If the foregoing precautions are not fully understood,
clarification should be obtained from your nearest GNB rep-
resentative. Local conditions may introduce situations not
covered by GNB Safety Precautions. Here again, contact the
nearest GNB representative for guidance with your particular
safety problem; also refer to applicable federal, state, and
local regulations as well as industry standards.
SECTION 3
3.0 Receipt of Shipment
Immediately upon delivery by the carrier, examine for possi-
ble damage caused in transit. Damaged packing material or
staining from leaking electrolyte would indicate rough handling.
1
HIGH VOLTAGE
High voltages are present on most battery systems.
Exercise caution and REMOVE ALL METAL
OBJECTS FROM PERSON when working on or
around battery.
EXPLOSIVE GASES
Gases produced by battery can be explosive. DO NOT
SMOKE, USE AN OPEN FLAME, CREATE AN ARC
or SPARKS IN VICINITY OF BATTERY. WEAR EYE
PROTECTION.Personnel should discharge static
charges from their person to ground before working on
battery. Ventilate well in an enclosed space and when
charging.
ACID BURNS
Battery contains SULFURIC ACID WHICH CAN
CAUSE SEVERE BURNS. Avoid getting in eyes, on
skin, or on clothing. In case of contact, flush immediate-
ly and thoroughly with clean water. OBTAIN MEDICAL
ATTENTION.