MINNESOTA TELECOM ALLIANCE
SAFETY NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2016
Telco Battery Requirements
As a Telco we have a number of different situations where batteries are used as supplemental power for cabinets and switching offices. Some Telcos use wet cell versus gel cell batteries or a combination of both and each situation has its’ own health risks.
As we know OSHA, have standards for just about every risk workers may be exposed to, and battery handling is no different. Below is the OSHA standard as it relates to the Telecommunication Industry. In addition to the standard, we have listed a number of scenarios that member Companies may have encountered. Also we have included a question and answer section to further explain the requirements of eye wash stations and personal protective equipment.
Battery handling.
1910.268(b)(2)(i)
Eye protection devices which provide side as well as frontal eye protection for employees shall be provided when measuring storage battery specific gravity or handling electrolyte, and the employer shall ensure that such devices are used by the employees. The employer shall also ensure that acid resistant gloves and aprons shall be worn for protection against spattering. Facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided unless the storage batteries are of the enclosed type and equipped with explosion proof vents, in which case sealed water rinse or neutralizing packs may be substituted for the quick drenching or flushing facilities. Employees assigned to work with storage batteries shall be instructed in emergency procedures such as dealing with accidental acid spills.
Eye wash stations and PPE Requirements for Telecommunications battery rooms are:
- If employees are not maintaining the storage batteries or measuring storage battery specific gravity or handling electrolyte, and if there is no exposure to acid and /or electrolyte, facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body are not necessary for employees; nor are goggles, apron or gloves needed to be worn. It is vitally important to instruct employees not to perform this type of work. If a chance for exposure should arise because of a leak and or breakage, ALL employees must leave the area and contact their supervisor, who must contact an approved contractor for servicing of the batteries.
- Contractors who service batteries must have available the mandated eyewash facilities and personal protective equipment for their employees. The Telco and Contractor are both responsible that these are provided.
3. Enclosed type batteries with explosion proof vents do not require sealed water rinse or neutralizing packs if there is no exposure to the electrolyte.
4. If employees remove the cap(s) on the batteries, measure specific gravity or add water/electrolyte to the wet cell batteries, eye wash facilities with a minimum flow rate of 0.4 gallons per minute and a continuous 15 minutes is required along with gloves, goggles and face shield in accordance with the ANSI Z87.1+ standard.
Q & A
1. “IF” Employees do not service or maintain batteries (wet cell or sealed batteries) so they are not exposed to the electrolyte, are facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body or Goggles, Face Shield or Gloves required? Quick drenching or flushing facilities and Goggles, Face Shield and Gloves are not required, If ALL employees are instructed and understand that they are NEVER to service or maintain any batteries and that they must leave the battery area and notify their Supervisor immediately if a breakage, leakage or possibility of exposure to electrolyte occurs. Please note, It is beyond mere “instruction” … they must NOT be servicing or maintaining … a mere rule does not absolve the employer from the requirement.
2. “IF” Employees do not service or maintain our batteries and are not exposed to the electrolyte or acid (wet cell or sealed batteries), are sealed water rinse or neutralizing packs required? (See answer 1 above)
3.“IF” sealed water rinse or neutralizing packs are required, what size/type is required for wet cell batteries, 15 minute flow rate or personal (16oz) eye wash? At a minimum eyewash stations must provide a 15 minute flow rate of 0.4 gallons per minute. Personal eye wash bottles are used as a supplement to an eyewash station which can provide a minimum 15 minute continuous flow rate of 0.4 gallons per minute.
4.“IF” sealed water rinse or neutralizing packs are required, what size/type is required for sealed batteries, is the personal (16oz) eye wash compliant? If there is no exposure to the electrolyte, eye wash facilities are not required. Not applicable, Personal eye wash bottles are used as a supplement to an eyewash station which can provide a minimum 15 minute continuous flow rate of 0.4 gallons per minute.
5. “IF” employees add water to the wet cell batteries or test specific gravity and wear the required PPE (Goggles, Gloves, Apron) is a quick drenching body facility required or can employers use quick flushing eye and face facilities?And is 15 minutes required?(Some remote office do not have plumbed water) If an employee removes a cap on the batteries or adds water/electrolyte or measures the specific gravity of the cells, PPE is required which includes Goggles, Face Shield and Gloves. If the employee is exposed to acid and/or electrolyte in an unconfined amount that could be “splashed” or “spilled” onto areas other than the face (i.e. chest, arms, legs), a drench-shower may also be necessary.
6. “IF” an outside contractor provides the maintenance and testing of the wet cell or sealed batteries and the contractor provides the Facilities for quick drenching and flushing of the eyes and body, is that sufficient? The Telephone Company is considered to be the Host contractor and the outside contractor is considered to be the service contractor. The Host Contractor is responsible for the proper PPE and Eyewash facilities are available during maintenance or testing of the batteries. If the Host Contractor requires the Service Contractor to provide the PPE and eye wash facilities then the Host Contractor must ensure that the PPE and eye wash are onsite and used.
We hope that this article is able to answer the questions you may have on battery handling and what the Safety and Health requirements are. If you have any questions about this article or the Minnesota Telecom Alliance’s Safety Program, please feel free to contact us at
Take Care
Dan Berg M.S.
Senior Safety Consultant
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Safe Winter Driving
Winter driving can be hazardous and scary, especially in the Midwest where we get a lot of snow and ice. Additional preparations can help make a trip safer, or help motorists deal with an emergency.
The three P’s of Safe Winter Driving:
PREPARE for the trip; PROTECT yourself; and PREVENT crashes on the road.
PREPARE
Maintain Your Car: Check battery, tire tread, and windshield wipers, keep your windows clear, put no-freeze fluid in the washer reservoir, and check your antifreeze.
Have On Hand: flashlight, jumper cables, abrasive material (sand, kitty litter, even floor mats), shovel, snow brush and ice scraper, warning devices (like flares) and blankets. For long trips, add food and water, medication and cell phone.
Stopped or Stalled? Stay in your car, don’t overexert, put bright markers on antenna or windows and shine dome light, and, if you run your car, clear exhaust pipe and run it just enough to stay warm.
Plan your route: Allow plenty of time (check the weather and leave early if necessary), be familiar with the maps/ directions, and let others know your route and arrival time.
Practice Cold Weather Driving!
* During the daylight, rehearse maneuvers slowly on ice or snow in an empty lot.
* Steer into a skid.
* Know what your brakes will do: stomp on antilock brakes, pump on non-antilock brakes.
* Stopping distances are longer on ice and snow.
PROTECT YOURSELF
* Buckle up and use child safety seats properly.
* Children 12 and under are much safer in the back seat.
* Don’t idle for a long time with the windows up or in anenclosed space.
* Maintain at least a half tank of gas during the winter season. This helps ensure you have a source of heat if you are stuck or stranded.
PREVENT CRASHES
* Drugs and alcohol never mix with driving.
* Slow down and increase distances between cars.
* Keep your eyes open for pedestrians walking in the road.
* Avoid fatigue – Get plenty of rest before the trip, stop at least every three hours, and rotate drivers if possible.
* Avoid using cruise control in snowy or icy conditions. In adverse conditions, you want as much control of your car as possible.
* Remember that speed limits are meant for dry roads, not roads covered in snow and ice. You should reduce your speed and increase your following distance as road conditions and visibility worsen.
* Be cautious on bridges and overpasses as they are commonly the first areas to become icy.
* Avoid passing snow plows and sand trucks. The drivers can have limited visibility, and the road in front of them could be worse than the road behind.
Be aware of the hazards that severe winter weather may create when driving. During severe conditions only drive if your journey is absolutely necessary. Always plan your journey, allow more time to get where you are going, make sure your vehicle is well maintained, you know how your vehicle handles in snow/ice and have the proper equipment in it throughout the winter.
Drive safe this winter!
Aaron Wilfahrt
Safety Consultant
Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!