Emergency Procedure in the Event of an Acid Splash
These are sample procedures. Your facility may have its own safety procedure, requiring employees to contact their supervisors or medical personnel either on-site or off-site.
Consult the Safety Data Sheet for additional information on how to handle an acid splash.
Consult the Safety Data Sheet for additional information.
If the acid splash is to the eyes:
- Remove safety glasses and flush eyes with clean water in eyewash for at least 15 minutes.
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Report the incident to your supervisor.
If the acid splash is to the skin:
- Remove acid soaked clothing immediately.
- Flush acid contacted skin with clean water for at least 15 minutes.
- Seek medical attention immediately if redness or burns occur.
- Report the incident to your supervisor.
If the acid is swallowed and the victim is conscious:
- Remove victim from battery area and provide fresh air.
- Wash out mouth with large amounts of water.
- Give victim milk to drink.
- Do not try to induce vomiting.
- Monitor victim's breathing and condition. Start CPR if victim stops breathing.
- Use a NIOSH approved acid mist respirator if the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 1.0 mg/m3 is exceeded or if respiratory irritation occurs.
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Report the incident to your supervisor.
If the acid is swallowed and the victim is unconscious:
- Remove victim immediately from battery area and provide fresh air.
- Start CPR if victim stops breathing.
- Provide oxygen, if properly trained personnel are available.
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Call emergency 911 services immediately.
- Report the incident to your supervisor.
Sulfuric Acid Spill (In the event of battery breakage)
- Neutralize the spill with soda ash or baking soda. Use 1 pound of baking soda to 1 gallon of water.
- The acid reaction is complete when it stops fizzing. Make certain the acid is neutralized by checking the pH is neutral between 6 and 8.
- Absorb neutralized material onto clay or other absorbent material, if necessary. If the spill is very large, contain the spill with earth or clay dikes.
- Brush under the battery connectors and remove all grime. Rinse the residue from the battery with clean water with a hose.
- Report the incident to your supervisor.
- Determine proper disposal by contacting local environmental authorities.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-9. What would you use to neutralize a sulfuric acid spill while servicing forklift batteries?
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