BATTERIES (LEAD-ACID AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE)
Both lead-acid and electric vehicle batteries can be found in ELVs. Electric vehicle batteries are of a very high voltage and can cause electrocution if not handled according to manufacturer’s guidelines.
Staff that are handling these batteries may require additional training to prevent serious accidents when recycling.
All types of batteries can be recycled and doing so will conserve valuable metals and reduce environmental impacts to landfill.
Potential hazards
Batteries contain various chemicals and heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, lead sulphate, lead dioxide and sulphuric acid that are toxic to human health and can cause ecological impacts if they exceed a certain concentration in the environment.
Batteries are a potential fire hazard.
Pallet strapping of batteries using steel bands should be avoided to reduce the risk of fire.
Storage
Store batteries under cool dry conditions in a roofed, bunded, well-ventilated area with an impervious surface.
Metal objects should not be placed on top of batteries.
Store away from flammable material and equipment that can create sparks.
Clean up any spills from the batteries immediately.
Transport and disposal
Batteries should not be disposed into landfills. Heavy metals inside the batteries can leach out into the environment over time.
Make sure that you have packaged the batteries securely to protect against damage and spills before handing over to the waste transporter.