Here are some facts associated with correct battery handling and the related hazards and safety concerns that users of battery encounter while using batteries. This also tells us about some best practices in handling battery.

1. BATTERY SAFETY AND HANDLING

2. HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH INDUSTRIAL
BATTERIES
 Hydrogen gas
 Acid hazards
 Electrical hazards

3. HYDROGEN GAS
 A by-product of the battery’s charging
process
 Highly flammable and explosive.
 Highly combustible that poses extreme
hazard to anything that comes in contact with
it.
 Oxygen and hydrogen are released after a
cell attains 95% of its full charge, when
charging.

4. ACID HAZARDS
 Highly corrosive to anything
organic, including skin.
 Reacts violently with lesser volume of water.
 Ph<2 (typically Sulfuric Acid)
 Causes burns on skin and its fumes are
injurious to eyes.

5. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
 Accidental shorting of terminals can result in
several electrical arcing.
 Exposed terminals, even on disconnected
batteries, present an electric shock hazard.
 Large short circuit currents might lead to
fires.

6. HANDLING BATTERY ACID
 Always wear proper eye, face and hand
protection.
 Use non-metallic containers to handle
concentrated liquids.
 Use extreme caution while handling
electrolyte and keep an acid neutralizing
solution readily available as a precautionary
measure.
 If electrolyte is consumed internally drink
large quantities of water or milk and do not

7. USER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
 When the battery is not in use, make sure
you disconnect the battery from the battery
connector.
 Never disassemble a battery as the materials
inside are mostly toxic and might damage
skin and clothes.
 Don’t leave the battery in the charger after it
is fully charged.
 Never place batteries in water as it may
cause the battery to rupture and release toxic

8. OTHER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
 Never solder anything directly to a battery as
it may destroy the safety features of a
battery.
 Never attempt to charge a battery that has
been physically damaged.

9.  Prevention is always better than cure, so
take the necessary precautions and “stay
safe, work safe”.