Treat sulphuric acid with respect. It is a highly corrosive liquid and will cause severe
injury if splashed on the skin or in the eyes, or if taken internally. It rapidly destroys
most clothing. Sulphuric acid is scheduled as a poison in Part 2 of the Poisons List.
Always:
• Wear acid-resistant clothing, goggles, PVC gloves and rubber boots
• Have a copious supply of water available
• Keep an eyewash bottle ready, containing 1% of saline solution
Take every precaution to avoid acid spillage:
• Handling: wear full protective clothing where there is a risk of splashes
• Spillage: wearing full protective clothing and working from the windward side,
wash down immediately with a copious supply of water, directing the water jet to
the outside of the spillage and carefully working towards the centre. Large
spillages should be contained with soda ash, sand or earth and gradually
neutralised with soda ash, finally washing down with water.
• Storage: use only approved vessels. Store them in a cool place away from
other chemicals, sunlight and hot pipes etc. Bungs on all containers should be
kept uppermost. Adequate ventilation in the building where the acid is stored
or handled is essential.
• Fire: sulphuric acid in contact with metals slowly generates hydrogen gas
which forms an explosive mixture with air. Naked lights should not be used in
or around road tankers, storage tanks or other containers of sulphuric acid.
FIRST AID
• Splashes in eyes: immediately irrigate the eye(s) for at least 15 minutes using l
arge amounts of water or, if available, saline solution. Obtain medical treatment.
• Splashes on skin: immediately remove contaminated clothing, taking care to
avoid self-contamination, and wash the aected parts with large quantities of
water. If symptoms occur, obtain medical treatment.
• Swallowed: drink copious quantities of lime water or milk of magnesia, or, alter-
natively, plain water and milk. Do not induce vomiting. Obtain medical attention,
preferably at a hospital, as soon as possible.
BATTERY HEALTH AND SAFETY
Subsequent charging
The charging current in amps should not be more than 10% of the battery’s rated
capacity in ampere hours (A/h), i.e. charge a 50 A/h battery at 5 amps. Before
gassing commences, the charging rate can be higher than this for short periods,
but in no case must the acid be hotter than +55°C. Observe the instructions of the
battery charger manufacturer.
After charging, check the acid level again and, if necessary, top up with distilled or
deionised water and fill to the acid level marking.
Maintenance
The new technology used in maintenance-free batteries means that, under normal
conditions of use, it should no longer be necessary to top up the battery with
distilled water. If overcharging occurs, it can become necessary to top up. In such
cases, it is advisable to check the acid level even on a maintenance-free battery.
Keep the battery clean and dry, and take care that the connections to the terminals
are firm and secures.
Storage
Before storing, the battery should be fully charged. Storage conditions: -20°C to + 50°C.
WARNING: The gases given o when charging are explosive
• No smoking or naked flames. Ensure that cables and electrical equipment are
handled in such a way as to avoid sparks.
• Before fitting or removing the batteries, make sure that all equipment connected
to it is switched o to avoid accidental sparking
• Take care that tools do not cause accidental short-circuits
• When charging, connect the battery to the charger before switching the charger
on. Reverse the process at the end of charging.
• When charging indoors ensure that there is adequate ventilation
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