Sulfuric acid spill next to a lithium battery pallet
During unloading at a cargo shed, a 20 L plastic drum of UN 1830 Sulfuric acid (98%) falls from a pallet and splits open. About 8 L spreads across the concrete floor, producing acrid mist. A nearby pallet holds UN 3480 lithium ion batteries, PI 965 Section IA, 3 m away. A warehouse worker wants to hose the acid into the floor drain and then continue loading the remaining cargo. The supervisor says: 'It is only 8 L, below the 20 L reportable threshold, so we just clean it up and do not tell anyone.' The shipment's DGD lists an emergency contact number. No one has put on PPE. The terminal has an acid spill kit and an eyewash station.
1. What are the immediate life-safety and spill-control actions? Explain why hosing into the drain is inappropriate.
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Immediate actions: stop work, clear non-essential people from the area, and put on acid-resistant PPE (gloves, goggles/face shield, apron or suit) before approaching. Do not hose the acid into the drain: dilution generates heat, the acid can splash, and the drain would spread the contamination into the environment. Prevent the spill from reaching the lithium battery pallet or any metal; sulfuric acid reacts with metals and can generate hydrogen. Use the acid spill kit: contain the liquid with inert absorbent or acid neutralizer (soda ash/lime), collect the residue in a compatible, labelled container, and clean the floor. Ventilate the area and keep ignition sources away. Check the nearby lithium batteries for contact or damage.
2. What reporting and documentation obligations arise, and does the 20 L threshold matter?
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The supervisor's '20 L threshold' is not a valid reason to avoid reporting. The incident must be reported through the operator's dangerous goods incident/occurrence procedure and to the airport authority or other authority as required by the state; the DGD and emergency contact should be used. A written incident report should record the UN number, class, quantity spilled, location, personnel involved, PPE used, cleanup method, and any exposure. The damaged drum must not be offered for transport; it should be overpacked or disposed of under the applicable waste/regulatory controls. The emergency contact number on the DGD should be used for technical advice, but it does not replace local reporting.
3. What should happen to the damaged drum and the adjacent lithium battery pallet before either moves?
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Before either moves, the spill area must be controlled and the battery pallet inspected. If any battery shows acid contact, heat, swelling, or damaged packaging, it must be treated as damaged/defective and not shipped; it should be isolated and assessed under the damaged/defective provisions. If the batteries are unaffected, the pallet can be released only after the packaging, labels and DGD are checked. The damaged drum is not air-worthy; it must be repacked or disposed of, and a replacement shipment, if any, needs a new DGD and packaging check. The cleanup residue and contaminated absorbent are themselves regulated waste and must be handled accordingly.