Battery short causes burn

What happened?

During preparation for a maintenance task, a replacement battery and two chain hoists were loaded into a bag for transit.

A technician noticed smoke coming from the bag.

The technician opened the bag and put his hand inside without looking to remove the chain hoists and other items to see where the smoke was coming from.

One of the chain hoists had crossed both battery terminals and was extremely hot.

The technician suffered a small burn on their hand as a result.

Why did it happen?

In an effort to find out the source of the smoke, the technician opened the bag to remove items.

The bare battery terminals had not been recognised as a hazard by the technician.

The technician didn’t look into the bag before taking action, so didn’t see the positioning of the chain across the terminals.

What did they learn?

The chain had short circuited the battery causing an electric current to pass through it, allowing it to heat up.

No terminal covers were in place on the battery, which is mandatory for transport of any battery.

The technician wasn’t wearing mandatory safety gloves, which were required for the maintenance job.

Ask yourself or your crew

Are components properly stored in preparation for a job?

Am I wearing the correct Personal protective equipment for this task? What is the correct PPE for this task?

Have I checked the area for hazards before jumping straight into action?

What happened?

During preparation for a maintenance task, a replacement battery and two chain hoists were loaded into a bag for transit.
A technician noticed smoke coming from the bag.
The technician opened the bag and put his hand inside without looking to remove the chain hoists and other items to see where the smoke was coming from.
One of the chain hoists had crossed both battery terminals and was extremely hot.
The technician suffered a small burn on their hand as a result.
Why did it happen?

In an effort to find out the source of the smoke, the technician opened the bag to remove items.
The bare battery terminals had not been recognised as a hazard by the technician.
The technician didn’t look into the bag before taking action, so didn’t see the positioning of the chain across the terminals.
What did they learn?

The chain had short circuited the battery causing an electric current to pass through it, allowing it to heat up.
No terminal covers were in place on the battery, which is mandatory for transport of any battery.
The technician wasn’t wearing mandatory safety gloves, which were required for the maintenance job.
Ask yourself or your crew

Are components properly stored in preparation for a job?
Am I wearing the correct Personal protective equipment for this task? What is the correct PPE for this task?
Have I checked the area for hazards before jumping straight into action?