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Difficulty: MediumSafety Procedures and Environmental Controls

An IT technician performing routine maintenance on a corporate laptop discovers that the internal lithium-ion battery is severely swollen. To ensure personal safety and prevent a thermal event, in what precise sequence should the technician execute the following response steps?

  1. 1Disconnect external AC power and shut down the laptop completely.
  2. 2Don safety goggles and heat-resistant protective gloves.
  3. 3Carefully remove the swollen battery without compressing or puncturing the outer casing.
  4. 4Place the battery into an isolated, fireproof sand-filled container.
  5. 5Transport the contained battery to a certified hazardous chemical recycling facility.

Answer

The proper sequence is: disconnect AC power and shut down the device, put on safety goggles and heat-resistant gloves, carefully extract the swollen battery without puncturing it, store the battery in a fireproof sand container, and transport it to an authorized hazardous waste recycling facility.
The correct order follows established safety standards by removing energy inputs first, donning proper PPE, safely extracting the compromised component without mechanical shock, isolating the thermal hazard in a fireproof vessel, and completing disposal through designated hazardous waste channels.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Disconnect external power sources and complete a system shutdown.
De-energizes the system to prevent electrical shorting and additional heat generation.
Safety procedures mandate removing power before physically handling damaged electrical components.
2
Don safety goggles and heat-resistant protective gloves.
Protects eyes and skin against potential toxic chemical spray, rupture, or thermal flames.
Personal safety gear must be active prior to direct physical exposure to compromised hazardous items.
3
Extract the swollen battery carefully without applying pressure to the casing.
Separates the hazard from the computer chassis while avoiding mechanical damage.
Puncturing a pressurized swollen lithium-ion battery can spark immediate ignition and vent toxic gas.
4
Deposit the battery into a specialized fireproof container surrounded by non-conductive, fire-retardant material like sand.
Contains potential fire or thermal expansion safely within an isolated vessel.
Fireproof containers prevent fire from spreading to the workplace if thermal runaway occurs.
5
Deliver the contained battery to a certified hazardous waste disposal vendor.
Ensures regulatory compliance and complete hazard resolution.
Lithium-ion cells are hazardous materials and must not be placed into standard office waste streams.

Key Concept

Lithium-Ion Battery Safety and Environmental Disposal Protocols
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Topics

Safety Procedures and Environmental Controls

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