PREPARING FORKLIFT BATTERIES AND BATTERY CELLS FOR RECYCLING PICKPUP

1. ALWAYS WEAR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) WHEN HANDLING LEAD ACID BATTERIES

• Safety boots, glasses, rubber gloves and rubber apron

2. INSPECT BATTERY FOR CRACKS AND MISSING CAPS TO AVOID SPILLS DURING TRANSPORTATION

• Ensure batteries are free from leaks and that all cell vent caps are in place 

3. SELECT AN APPROPRIATE SKID

• If possible, reuse a skid from a new battery shipment
• Otherwise be sure to select a sturdy skid with at least three bottom runners and no broken or missing boards
• Skid board height should be at least 5/8”
• Maximum skid sizes are 44” x 48” or 40” x 48”
• Be sure there are no nails in the skid that could puncture the battery

4. PLACE BATTERY UPRIGHT ON SKID

• Batteries need to be positioned  upright across the runners of the skid
• NEVER place a battery on its side or  upside-down
• Multiple smaller batteries can be  banded together on a standard skid  to consolidate a shipment 

5.  SECURE BATTERY TO THE SKID  WITH BANDING AND WOOD CLEATS  TO PREVENT SLIDING DURING  TRANSPORTATION. A. BANDING

• Use steel or plastic banding that is  a minimum of 5/8” wide and affix it  on the battery in the same direction  as the runners on the skid
• To avoid shorting, use wood or  cardboard to insulate steel banding
• Place steel banding insulation across  the top of the battery to prevent  steel banding from coming into  contact with the battery posts  or terminals
• Reinforce the banding on the top  edges of the battery with cardboard   

B. WOOD CLEATS

• Nail adequate wood cleats around the  four sides of the battery

* The shipment of industrial batteries is covered by the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act and Regulations. The purpose of the TDG Act and Regulations is to promote public safety when dangerous goods are being handled, offered for transport or transported by road, rail, air, or water (marine). Anyone who handles (ships, transports, and receives) dangerous goods by road, rail, air, or water (marine) must comply with the TDG Regulations. Always check the TDG Act and Regulations to ensure compliance.

FOLLOW THE SAME INSTRUCTIONS FOR LEAD ACID BATTERIES  AND THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS DETAILED BELOW:

• Damaged or cracked cells must be free of electrolyte
• Completely cover the cell(s) in cardboard or wood 
• Bind cell cover in place horizontally at least twice approximately 1/3 the height of the cell top and bottom

* The shipment of industrial batteries is covered by the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act and Regulations. The purpose of the TDG Act and Regulations is to promote public safety when dangerous goods are being handled, offered for transport or transported by road, rail, air, or water (marine). Anyone who handles (ships, transports, and receives) dangerous goods by road, rail, air, or water (marine) must comply with the TDG Regulations. Always check the TDG Act and Regulations to ensure compliance.