Dangerous Goods Class 9 Battery Handling, Storage & Disposal

1. Purpose

This SOP establishes the safe handling, storage, segregation, transportation, and disposal requirements for Class 9 dangerous goods batteries handled by Scale 3PL, including lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries.

The procedure is designed to:

• Protect employees, customers, carriers, and the environment
• Prevent fire, explosion, thermal runaway, and chemical exposure
• Ensure compliance with:
  • ADR regulations
  • UK CDG Regulations
  • Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations
  • HSE and Environment Agency guidance

Lithium batteries are classified as Class 9 dangerous goods under ADR.

2. Scope

This SOP applies to:

• Receipt of Class 9 batteries
• Storage and internal movement
• Picking and packing
• Damaged battery handling
• Waste battery disposal
• Returns processing
• Transport preparation
• Emergency response

Applies to:

• UN3480 – Lithium Ion Batteries
• UN3481 – Lithium Ion Batteries Packed With/Contained In Equipment
• UN3090 – Lithium Metal Batteries
• UN3091 – Lithium Metal Batteries Packed With/Contained In Equipment

3. Definitions

4. Responsibilities

4.1 Warehouse Manager

Responsible for:

• Overall compliance
• Staff training
• Storage area control
• Incident reporting
• Ensuring approved disposal contractors are used

4.2 Warehouse Operatives

Responsible for:

• Following this SOP
• Reporting damaged batteries immediately
• Wearing required PPE
• Safe segregation and handling

4.3 Compliance Manager / DGSA

Responsible for:

• Regulatory oversight
• ADR compliance
• Audits and inspections
• Carrier compliance validation

ADR may require businesses involved in dangerous goods transport activities to appoint a DGSA.

5. Safety Requirements

5.1 Mandatory PPE

Personnel handling Class 9 batteries must wear:

• Safety footwear
• High-visibility vest
• Protective gloves
• Safety glasses
• Flame-resistant PPE when handling damaged batteries

5.2 Fire Safety

The following must be available:

• Class D fire extinguishing media where applicable
• Dry powder extinguishers
• Sand or vermiculite
• Fire blankets
• Emergency isolation containers

5.3 Prohibited Actions

The following are strictly prohibited:

• Crushing batteries
• Throwing batteries into general waste
• Incineration
• Storing damaged batteries with good stock
• Exposing batteries to water or heat sources
• Using metal tools directly on exposed terminals

UK regulations prohibit batteries from being dumped in landfill or improperly disposed of.

6. Battery Identification & Classification

6.1 Incoming Goods Inspection

Upon receipt:

1. Verify UN number
2. Check shipping labels
3. Inspect packaging condition
4. Confirm no swelling, leakage, or heat damage
5. Record receipt in WMS if applicable

6.2 Hazard Labels

All Class 9 shipments must display:

• Class 9 hazard label
• Lithium battery mark
• UN number
• Proper shipping name

ADR requires correct Class 9 labelling and packaging.

7. Storage Procedure

7.1 General Storage Rules

Class 9 batteries must:

• Be stored in a cool, dry, ventilated area
• Be protected from direct sunlight
• Be kept away from ignition sources
• Be segregated from flammable materials
• Be stored on non-combustible shelving where possible

7.2 Segregation Requirements

Separate:

• Damaged batteries
• Recalled batteries
• Waste batteries
• Different battery chemistries
• Charged and discharged units where operationally required

7.3 Stacking Rules

• Do not over-stack cartons
• Prevent crushing risk
• Maintain aisle access for emergency response

8. Handling Procedure

8.1 Safe Handling

Employees must:

• Avoid dropping batteries
• Prevent puncture or crushing
• Use approved lifting equipment
• Ensure terminals cannot short circuit

8.2 Terminal Protection

All loose batteries must:

• Have terminals taped
  OR
• Be individually bagged/separated

ADR requires batteries to be protected against short circuiting.

9. Damaged or Defective Batteries

9.1 Identification

A battery is considered damaged if:

• Swollen
• Crushed
• Leaking
• Burnt
• Emitting heat/smoke
• Producing odour
• Corroded

9.2 Immediate Actions

1. Stop handling immediately
2. Isolate area
3. Inform supervisor
4. Place battery in fire-resistant containment
5. Use sand or vermiculite if required
6. Record incident

9.3 Storage of Damaged Batteries

Damaged batteries must:

• Be quarantined
• Be stored in metal or approved fire-resistant containers
• Be labelled “DAMAGED LITHIUM BATTERIES – DO NOT USE”

10. Waste Battery Disposal Procedure

10.1 Waste Segregation

Waste batteries must be:

• Separated by chemistry
• Stored in designated hazardous waste containers
• Clearly labelled

10.2 Packaging for Disposal

Before transport:

• Tape exposed terminals
• Use non-conductive inner packaging
• Cushion contents to prevent movement
• Use UN-approved packaging where required

10.3 Disposal Contractor Requirements

Scale 3PL shall only use:

• Licensed hazardous waste carriers
• Approved Battery Treatment Operators (ABTO)
• Environment Agency compliant disposal partners

UK guidance requires waste batteries to be processed through approved treatment or export operators.

10.4 Documentation

The following records must be retained:

• Waste transfer notes
• Hazardous waste consignment notes
• Carrier documentation
• Disposal certificates
• Incident logs

11. Transport Procedure

11.1 Carrier Approval

Only approved carriers trained for dangerous goods transport may transport Class 9 batteries.

11.2 Transport Checks

Before dispatch:

• Verify packaging integrity
• Confirm labels visible
• Ensure documentation complete
• Confirm no damaged batteries included unless specifically authorised

11.3 Required Documentation

Include:

• Dangerous goods declaration (where applicable)
• ADR transport document
• SDS/MSDS
• Emergency contact information

12. Emergency Response

12.1 Battery Fire

If battery fire occurs:

1. Raise alarm immediately
2. Evacuate surrounding area
3. Use dry powder extinguisher or sand
4. Do NOT handle burning battery directly
5. Contact emergency services if fire escalates

12.2 Chemical Exposure

If leakage occurs:

• Avoid direct contact
• Wear PPE
• Ventilate area
• Use absorbent non-combustible material
• Dispose of cleanup materials as hazardous waste

13. Training Requirements

All applicable staff must receive:

• Dangerous goods awareness training
• Lithium battery handling training
• Fire response training
• Spill response training
• Refresher training annually

ADR requires dangerous goods personnel to receive appropriate training.

14. Inspection & Audit

Weekly Checks

• Storage condition
• Segregation compliance
• Fire equipment status
• Packaging integrity

Monthly Checks

• Waste container audit
• Documentation review
• Incident review
• Staff compliance observation

15. Record Retention

16. Related Documents

• ADR Regulations
• CDG Regulations 2009
• Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations
• HSE Dangerous Goods Guidance
• Scale 3PL Fire Safety Procedure
• Scale 3PL Incident Reporting Procedure

17. Revision History

18. Compliance References

• ADR classifies lithium batteries as Class 9 dangerous goods.
• UK CDG regulations govern dangerous goods transport compliance.
• UK battery regulations require controlled recycling and prohibit landfill disposal.
• Waste batteries must be safely segregated, transported, and processed by authorised operators.