28 Mar Be Cautious With Sulfuric Acid

Be Cautious With Sulfuric Acid

Sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive chemical used in many industrial processes, including metal cleaning, petroleum processing, fertilizer production, and battery applications. Contact with sulfuric acid can cause severe chemical burns, permanent eye damage, respiratory injury, and other serious health effects. Employees who work with or around sulfuric acid must understand its hazards and use appropriate controls and protective equipment.

Know the Hazards

The hazards of sulfuric acid depend partly on its concentration and how it is being used. Concentrated sulfuric acid is extremely corrosive, but diluted solutions can also cause injury.

Exposure can occur through:

• Skin contact: May cause severe burns and tissue destruction.
• Eye contact: Can cause serious burns and permanent eye damage, including blindness.
• Inhalation: Sulfuric acid mist can severely irritate or damage the respiratory tract.
• Ingestion: Can cause severe burns to the mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach.

Never assume diluted sulfuric acid is harmless.

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE should be selected based on the concentration, quantity, task, and potential for exposure. Review the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before beginning work.

Depending on the task, protection may include:

• Chemical splash goggles.
• A face shield worn over chemical splash goggles where splash hazards exist.
• Acid-resistant gloves.
• Acid-resistant apron or protective clothing.
• Chemical-resistant boots where significant spills or splashes are possible.
• Respiratory protection when required by the exposure assessment and respiratory protection program.

When wearing chemical-resistant boots with protective pants, arrange the clothing so spilled acid cannot run into and become trapped inside the boots.

Safe Handling

Preventing exposure is the best protection.

• Use sulfuric acid only in designated, adequately ventilated areas.
• Keep containers closed and properly labeled.
• Inspect containers and transfer equipment for leaks or damage.
• Keep sulfuric acid away from incompatible materials identified on the SDS.
• Use appropriate equipment when transferring or dispensing acid.
• Never use damaged or unidentified containers.
• Keep emergency eyewash and shower equipment readily accessible where corrosive exposure is possible.

When diluting concentrated sulfuric acid, follow the manufacturer’s or SDS instructions. Generally, acid is slowly added to water—not water to concentrated acid—because the reaction generates considerable heat and can cause violent splashing.

Emergency Exposure

Immediate flushing is critical following skin or eye contact.

Skin Contact: Immediately flush the affected area with large amounts of water and remove contaminated clothing while flushing. Continue flushing as directed by the SDS and obtain medical attention for significant exposure.

Eye Contact: Immediately flush the eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes, holding the eyelids open, and obtain prompt medical attention.

Inhalation: Move the exposed person to fresh air without placing yourself at risk and obtain medical assistance if symptoms occur or significant exposure is suspected.

Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse the mouth if the person is conscious and immediately contact emergency medical personnel or a poison control resource. Do not attempt to neutralize the acid or give milk, egg whites, or other substances unless specifically directed by medical professionals.

Employees should follow the product SDS and the company’s emergency procedures for all exposures.

Spill Response

Do not attempt to clean up a sulfuric acid spill unless you are trained, authorized, and properly equipped to do so. Isolate the area, keep others away, and immediately report the spill according to established procedures.

Large or uncontrolled releases may require specially trained emergency-response personnel.

Remember

Sulfuric acid can cause severe injury within seconds. Prevent contact rather than relying on first aid after exposure. Know the SDS, wear appropriate chemical-resistant PPE, use proper handling procedures, and know the location of emergency eyewash and shower equipment before beginning work.