Safety Flash
Dangers of battery charging
Dangers of battery charging
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 01/02
- Electrical SafetyExplosionHazardous Substances
- Electrical safetyExplosionHazardous substancesHydrogen safety
- Inspection and maintenance
- Personal protective equipment
- Energy and process isolationPre-use checksSafety communicationVentilation
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
A vessel battery incident released a small amount of acid without injury or other damage. Investigation identified low electrolyte levels and hydrogen generation during automatic continuous charging, which displaced the cap. The flash presents company requirements for charging areas, ventilation, electrical connections, eye protection and electrolyte checks.
Classifications: Electrical safety; electrical hazards.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Hazardous substances; hazardous chemicals; chemical exposure.
Classifications: Hydrogen safety.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Personal protective equipment; PPE; personal protection equipment.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Pre-use checks; pre-use inspection.
Classifications: Safety communication; toolbox talk; toolbox talks.
Classifications: Ventilation; forced ventilation.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
Low electrolyte levels during continuous charging generated hydrogen gas and caused a battery cap to eject corrosive acid.
IMCA SF 01/02. Themes: electrical safety, explosion, hazardous substances.