SBC ULAB Project Cambodia
Visit Number 1
Location: - Mean Chey Battery Shop, 21 Aeo, Rue 217, West of Central Market, Phnom Penh
Interviewers - Sreng Sophal, Vice Chief Officer
- Ken Choviran, Chief of Environment Research and Technology Management
- Brian Wilson, ILMC Program Manager
Interviewee- Ms. Rineth
Date:- January 14, 2004
This small automotive battery retail outlet (4 m x 8m) is one of five in a row of shops selling new lead acid batteries for trucks, cars, motor cycles and domestic use (burglar alarm back up systems and so on). There were five people in the shop, but it would seem that only three were selling batteries and the other two were family members living in the house at the rear of the shop. Those selling the batteries were between 23 and 25 years of age.
The shop had a stock of about 200 new and boxed lead acid batteries imported from Japan, Korea and Thailand. All the batteries on sale were good quality and branded names. The majority of the batteries appeared to be made using the latest maintenance free (MF) technology using lead/calcium alloys grids. Sales varied, but on average the shop would expect to sell about 15 batteries per day.
Mean Chey Battery Shop, 21 Aeo, Rue 217, West of Central Market, Phnom Penh
The shop did not take in used lead acid batteries (ULAB) in exchange for new battery sales and the customer was expected to take the ULAB with him or her when they left the shop. In the event that a ULAB was left on the premises, it would be removed by one of the many scaverngers.
The shop also services batteries, that is, the staff will test a battery to determine whether it needs to be replaced, topped up with deionized water or recharged. During the period of the visit only one motor cycle battery was being recharged, but two motor cycle batteries were inspected and tested by one of the staff. Many batteries in use still require the caps to be removed when being charged to permit the gases given off to escape to atmosphere. In some instances during charging the electrolyte can spill out of the top of the battery as the “bubbling” can be quite fierce. For these instances and to prevent spillage on the paved area outside the shop when batteries are being topped up the owner had built a small bunded area to place the batteries when being serviced. Whilst only one battery was being recharged during the visit, the shop had three charging units and a capacity for recharging about 20 batteries.
One of two motorcycle batteries checked during the visit
The staff were not wearing gloves during the testing and charging procedures and no protective equipment was visible on the premises, despite the fact that the owner and the staff were aware of the risks of skin burns caused by the battery acid. None of those working at the shop were aware of the hazards associated with occupational lead exposure.
It must be noted, however, that the shop was very clean and not a speck of dust anyway.
During the course of the visit the shop owner was very helpful and gave us access to the premises and permission to take photographs.
Before leaving the area time was taken to look into the other four shops and all seemed to be retail units of the same standard of cleanliness.
January 15, 2004