When Batteries Go Bad: A Reminder That Battery Safety Starts Before Disposal

​A recent incident in western South Dakota is a good reminder that batteries don’t have to be visibly damaged — or even lithium-ion — to become a serious safety concern.

According to the Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department, crews recently discovered an unusual odor inside one of their fire stations. Air monitoring eventually detected unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide, prompting assistance from the Rapid City Fire Department Hazmat team.

The source was ultimately traced to something surprisingly ordinary: a 12-volt vehicle battery.

The battery was approximately seven years old and connected to a shore charger. It was found warm, bulging and hissing. Once disconnected and removed, the source of the problem became clear.

Fortunately, the issue was identified before anyone became seriously ill.

For businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, financial institutions and other organizations throughout our region, the incident highlights an important point: battery safety isn’t just about what happens when you throw a battery away.

Batteries Are Everywhere in the Workplace

When we talk about battery safety in the IT asset disposition industry, lithium-ion batteries tend to get most of the attention… and for good reason. Damaged lithium-ion batteries can enter thermal runaway, creating intense fires that are extremely difficult to control.

But organizations manage many different battery chemistries, and each comes with its own considerations.

Batteries can be found in:

• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices
• Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)
• Servers and networking equipment
• Emergency and backup systems
• Power tools and maintenance equipment
• Security and access-control equipment
• Vehicles and generators
• Other electronic equipment

As equipment ages, batteries can swell, leak, overheat or otherwise deteriorate. Problems may develop while equipment is still being used, while it’s sitting in storage, or while it’s connected to a charger.

That means battery management needs to begin before an asset reaches the recycling stage.

Know the Warning Signs

Organizations should have a process for identifying batteries or battery-powered equipment that may no longer be safe to use or store.

Warning signs can include:

• Swelling or bulging
• Excessive heat
• Hissing or unusual sounds
• Leaking or corrosion
• Cracking or physical damage
• Unusual odors
• Smoke or discoloration
• A battery that will no longer charge or perform normally

A damaged or suspect battery shouldn’t simply be tossed into a box with other electronics and forgotten about.

If a battery appears unstable, don’t continue charging it or handle it as routine electronic equipment. Follow your organization’s emergency procedures and contact qualified personnel when necessary.

Disposal Is Where Another Risk Begins

Once batteries reach the end of their useful life, proper handling becomes even more important.

Batteries do not belong in the trash or mixed recycling.

This is especially critical for lithium-ion batteries. When batteries are compacted, crushed, punctured or damaged during collection and processing, they can ignite. A battery that looks harmless when it leaves your facility can become a serious fire hazard later in the waste or recycling stream.

For businesses managing larger quantities of electronics, tossing old devices into a storage room indefinitely isn’t a great solution either.

Organizations should have a defined process for identifying battery-containing equipment, separating damaged batteries, safely storing material awaiting disposition, and working with a qualified downstream provider.

Your ITAD Program Should Account for Batteries

Battery management should be part of the conversation when developing an IT asset disposition (ITAD) program — not an afterthought.

At SEAM, we work with organizations throughout the region to securely manage end-of-life electronics and the batteries contained within them. That includes helping customers understand how equipment should be prepared, packaged and handled before it ever leaves their facility.

Proper ITAD isn’t only about protecting data and recovering value from retired equipment. It’s also about maintaining a secure and responsible chain of custody for materials that can create real safety and environmental risks when they’re handled incorrectly.

The Rockerville incident had a good outcome because someone recognized that something wasn’t right and took it seriously. That’s a lesson worth carrying into every workplace.