§ 5185. Changing and Charging Storage Batteries.

(a) Battery charging installations shall be located in areas designated for that purpose. Employees assigned to work with storage batteries shall be instructed in emergency procedures such as dealing with accidental acid spills.

(b) The area shall be adequately ventilated to prevent concentrations of flammable gases exceeding 20 percent of the lower explosive limit, and to prevent harmful concentration of mist from the electrolyte.

(c) Where corrosive liquids are regularly or frequently handled in open containers or drawn from reservoirs or pipelines, adequate means shall be provided to neutralize or dispose of spills and overflows promptly and safely.

(d) Carboy tilter, siphon, hand-operated bulb or hand-operated pump shall be provided and used for dispensing electrolyte or acid.

(e) Facilities shall be provided for protecting charging apparatus from damage by mobile equipment.

(f) Appropriate mechanical lifting and material handling devices or equipment shall be provided for handling batteries.

(g) Smoking shall be prohibited in the charging area.

(h) Precautions shall be taken to prevent open flames, sparks, or electric arcs in battery charging areas. When racks are used for support of batteries, they shall be made of materials nonconductive to spark generation or coated or covered to achieve this objective. Tools and other metallic objects shall be kept away from the top of uncovered batteries. Chargers shall be turned off when leads are being connected or disconnected.

(i) Electrolyte (acid or base, and distilled water) for battery cells shall be mixed in a well ventilated room. Acid or base shall be poured gradually into the water while stirring. Water shall never be poured into concentrated (greater than 75 percent) acid solutions .

(j) Mobile equipment shall be properly positioned and brake applied before attempting to change or charge batteries.

(k) When charging batteries, the vent caps shall be kept firmly in place to avoid electrolyte spray. Care shall be taken to assure that vent caps are functioning. The battery compartment cover(s) shall be open to dissipate heat.

(l) Facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided unless the storage batteries are:

(1) equipped with explosion resistant or flame arrestor type vents; or

(2) located in a compartment or other location such as to preclude employee exposure.

Exceptions: Automotive servicing facilities and parts stores where:

1. A suitable neutralizing agent is available.

2. An adequate supply of clean water is readily available.

3. The transfer system is essentially a closed system and does not involve handling acid in open containers.

(m) When taking specific gravity readings, the open end of the hydrometer shall be covered with an acid resistant material while moving it from battery to battery to avoid splashing or throwing the electrolyte.

(n) Electrolyte shall only be placed in suitable containers and shall not be stirred with metal objects.

(o) When a jumper battery is connected to a battery in a vehicle, the ground lead shall connect to ground away from the vehicle's battery. Ignition, lights and accessories on the vehicle shall be turned off before connections are made.

(p) Vent caps shall be in place when batteries are being moved.

Exceptions: Portable equipment battery systems:

Batteries and battery charging equipment of less than 100 watt hours are exempt.

HISTORY

1. New section filed 2-13-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 75, No. 7).

2. Repealer of subsections (i) and (n) and new subsections (i), (n), (o), (p), and (q) filed 11-12-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 75, No. 46).

3. Amendment of subsections (k) and (l) filed 10-5-77; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 77, No. 41).

4. Renumbering of Section 5214 to Section 5185 filed 5-3-78 as procedural and organizational; effective upon filing (Register 78, No. 18).

5. Amendment of subsection (h) and new subsections (r) and (s) filed 12-12-84; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 84, No. 50).

6. Amendment filed 7-8-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 28).

Note

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.