WEEKLY TOOL BOX SAFETY MEETINGS
Today’s topic talks about a subject you typically don’t think about until the need arises. As a matter of fact, years may go by before you are faced with the necessity of charging a battery or jump-starting a vehicle. Think back to the last time that your battery was dead. It was probably in the dead of winter. You grabbed a cup of coffee on your way out the door, and got into the car or pickup, but when you turned the key nothing happened. Perhaps you said a few words under your breath, but it still didn’t start. The next step was either to charge the battery or to jump-start the vehicle.
If you need to charge a battery keep the following information in mind. Charging should only be done in well-ventilated areas. During the charging process, the battery may produce hydrogen gas, which is explosive. Good ventilation will prevent the accumulation of this gas. All ignition sources should be kept away from the charging area — don’t smoke, and don’t charge batteries near furnaces, water heaters, welding operations, etc. Place the charger on a non-combustible surface. When moving batteries to or from the charging area, make sure that the filler caps are in place. The liquid inside batteries is sulfuric acid, which can cause burns, so don’t get any on your skin and always wear safety goggles.
Since charging a battery takes a fair amount of time, most of us will choose to jump-start the vehicle. From previous safety training you know that you have to identify the positive (red) and negative (black) terminals of each battery. Remember that the order in which you connect the cables is very important, and that eye protection is a must. The vehicles should not be touching, and both ignitions should be turned off. Make the connections in the following order:
- Connect one end of the red cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
- Connect the other end of the red cable to the positive terminal of the good battery.
- Connect one end of the black cable to the negative terminal of the good battery.
- Connect the other end of the black cable to the frame or engine block of the car with the dead battery.
Make the connection to the frame or engine block as far away from the dead battery as possible. It is very likely that there will be some sparks when this last connection is made, and you want to keep those sparks away from the battery. After you get the car started, disconnect the cables in the reverse order.
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