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Difficulty: Very hardSafety Procedures and Environmental Controls

While conducting routine maintenance on a high-capacity Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system in an enclosed remote network closet, a field technician detects a strong sulfurous smell and notices that one of the internal sealed lead-acid battery casings has visibly swollen, cracked, and leaked an unknown liquid onto the chassis. The closet lacks active mechanical ventilation. Which of the following actions represents the most appropriate sequence of safety procedures the technician should execute immediately?

  1. Evacuate and isolate the closet area, equip self-contained respiratory and chemical-resistant PPE, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for neutralization protocols, and dispose of the battery using a hazardous waste handler.Answer
  2. B
    Attach an ESD wrist strap directly to the grounded UPS frame, wipe down the spilled liquid using standard ESD-safe cleaning solvent, and place the battery into a conductive anti-static bag for standard recycling.
  3. C
    Neutralize the liquid spill immediately by spraying a Class A water-based fire extinguisher inside the chassis before disconnecting the main AC supply circuit breaker.
  4. D
    Disconnect the UPS output cables, submerge the leaking battery unit in a bucket of tap water to cool down electrolyte thermal runaway, and log the incident in the ticket system.

Answer

Evacuate and isolate the closet area, equip self-contained respiratory and chemical-resistant PPE, consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for neutralization protocols, and dispose of the battery using a hazardous waste handler.
The correct answer correctly prioritizes life safety, exposure prevention, proper PPE usage, safety data compliance, and regulated hazardous waste containment. Sulfuric acid leaks from compromised UPS batteries pose acute chemical burn and respiratory hazards, especially in unventilated network closets. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provide explicit instructions for handling hazardous material spills and containment.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify chemical and inhalation hazards in an enclosed space
Recognize that sulfuric acid leaks from cracked UPS lead-acid batteries emit toxic fumes (sulfur dioxide) and pose severe skin/respiratory risks when unventilated.
Personal health and immediate life safety take precedence over hardware preservation.
2
Isolate the environment and equip specialized Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Prevent exposure to non-essential personnel and equip chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, and proper ventilation equipment.
Standard anti-static gear or basic nitrile gloves do not protect against caustic battery acids.
3
Consult Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and handle disposal according to environmental regulations
Follow chemical-specific containment steps detailed in the SDS and transfer damaged battery units to licensed hazardous waste disposal facilities.
Environmental protection regulations strictly prohibit discarding heavy metals (lead) and corrosive acids into municipal trash.

Key Concept

Hazardous Material Handling, SDS Consultation, and Chemical Safety Procedures
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Topics

Safety Procedures and Environmental Controls

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