Department: Safety & Emergency Protocols

Policy Purpose: To outline the mandatory procedures for safely handling corrosive materials, neutralizing acid spills, and managing the severe risk of lithium battery damage. Strict adherence protects the technician from injury, the customer's vehicle from catastrophic damage, and the company from environmental liability.

1. Mandatory PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

You cannot predict a casing crack or a pressurized acid leak. Protection must be worn before the hazard presents itself.

• Eye Protection: ANSI/CSA-approved safety glasses must be worn whenever a hood is open, especially during the removal of heavily corroded terminals or when using a wire brush.

• Hand Protection: Acid-resistant mechanic or nitrile gloves are mandatory during the physical removal and installation of any flooded lead-acid or leaking AGM battery.

2. Managing Battery Acid (Sulfuric Acid) Spills

If a battery is dropped, tipped, or discovered to be leaking upon arrival, you must contain the acid immediately. Battery acid will destroy vehicle paint, melt plastic wiring harnesses, and permanently scar driveways.

• Immediate Neutralization: Never wipe raw acid with a dry rag—this just spreads it. Liberally apply your commercial acid neutralizer spray or a heavy coating of baking soda and water directly onto the spill.

• The Visual Cue: The acid will actively foam and bubble as it neutralizes. Wait until all foaming completely stops before attempting to wipe it up.

• Containment: Wipe up the neutralized paste with disposable shop towels. Place all contaminated towels immediately into a thick, sealable plastic trash bag.

• Environmental Law: Never wash battery acid or neutralized chemical slurry down a storm drain or into the street. You must pack out all contaminated waste in your service vehicle and dispose of it at an approved facility.

3. Safe Handling of Heavy Terminal Corrosion

Corrosion (the white/blue crust on terminals) is highly acidic and dangerous when airborne.

• Avoid Dry Brushing: Never aggressively hit dry, heavy corrosion with a wire brush. This sends acidic dust into the air, which can be inhaled or get into your eyes.

• The Wet Method: Always spray the terminal heavily with a terminal cleaner or neutralizer before brushing. This turns the dust into a safe, manageable slurry that can be wiped away cleanly.

4. Lithium Battery Hazards (Option C: Discover Blue)

While our Discover Blue Lithium units (LiFePO4) are incredibly safe and stable compared to traditional lithium-ion, they still require strict hazard protocols.

• Puncture & Drop Risks: If a lithium battery is dropped heavily or punctured by a tool, it must be permanently removed from service immediately. Do not install it.

• Thermal Event Protocol: If a lithium battery begins to rapidly swell, hiss, or emit strong chemical smoke (a thermal runaway event):

  1. Evacuate: Immediately step away from the vehicle and instruct the customer to do the same.

  2. Do Not Inhale: Lithium smoke is highly toxic.

  3. Fire Extinguisher Use: Standard Class ABC fire extinguishers will not extinguish a lithium chemical fire; they will only temporarily knock down the flames of the surrounding melting plastics.

  4. Call 911: Escalate to the fire department immediately and then notify the MobileBattery Emergency Line.

5. First Aid: Chemical Exposure

If you are exposed to battery acid, time is the critical factor.

• Eye Contact: Immediately retrieve the eyewash solution from your vehicle's first aid kit. Flush the eye continuously for 15 minutes. Seek emergency medical attention immediately after flushing.

• Skin Contact: Wash the affected area immediately with soap and copious amounts of water. If a chemical burn develops, seek medical attention and file an incident report on the hub.

• Clothing: If acid spills on your uniform, it will quickly eat through the fabric and reach your skin. Remove the contaminated clothing article immediately and flush the skin underneath.