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Difficulty: HardSafety Procedures and Environmental Controls

An IT technician is inspecting an enterprise uninterruptible power supply (UPS) unit located in a remote equipment closet. The technician notices that several large sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries within the enclosure are swollen, emitting a sharp sulfur-like odor, and showing signs of chemical corrosion around the terminal posts. Prior to attempting any handling, containment, or removal of the damaged components, which of the following actions should the technician take FIRST?

  1. Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for lead-acid batteries to determine specific chemical handling protocols and required personal protective equipment.Answer
  2. B
    Attach a grounded ESD wrist strap to the UPS chassis before unbolting the battery terminal connectors.
  3. C
    Wipe down the corroded battery terminals using isopropyl alcohol wipes to neutralize the chemical residue.
  4. D
    Package the compromised battery cells into standard cardboard boxes and place them into the facility's e-waste disposal receptacle.

Answer

Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for lead-acid batteries to determine specific chemical handling protocols and required personal protective equipment.
When dealing with damaged chemical power sources such as leaking or swollen sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries, the technician's immediate priority is safety compliance. Consulting the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provides essential information regarding necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), first-aid measures, spill neutralization procedures, and regulatory disposal mandates.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary hazard present in the scenario.
Recognize that swollen, leaking sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries present immediate chemical (sulfuric acid) and thermal/electrical hazards.
Before performing physical labor on hazardous items, safety compliance requires reviewing documentation specific to the chemical composition.
2
Select the proper initial safety procedure.
Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to ascertain proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as face shields, apron, and acid-resistant gloves, as well as spill containment guidelines.
CompTIA standards state that SDS consultation is the mandatory first step when encountering chemical spills or compromised hazardous substances.
3
Evaluate why alternative actions are unsafe or non-compliant.
Discard ESD wrist strap usage (shock/short hazard), alcohol wiping (flammability/ineffectiveness), and standard e-waste disposal (environmental regulation violation).
Ensures full compliance with occupational safety and environmental protection laws.

Key Concept

Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Compliance and Hazardous Chemical/Battery Safety
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Topics

Safety Procedures and Environmental Controls

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