Gulf of Mexico Shelf Region
Waste Management Procedures
Batteries (Nickel-Cadmium)
Before you begin
Description


Category
Universal Waste: special standards exist (that are more lenient than
hazardous waste standards) for the storage, shipping and
recycling of these wastes only if you recycle.
Analysis
No laboratory analysis required
Accumulation
Physical requirements:
If damaged, ruptured or leaking, place in closed plastic container.
If not damaged, store in DOT approved packaging:
a. Batteries must be packed without other materials in the container or
package.
b. Batteries must be protected to prevent short circuits. Insulate at least one
terminal of each battery with electrical tape or plastic cover to prevent
short circuits and possible fire.
c. Battery terminals should not be used to support any weight.
d. Do not drain the electrolyte from the batteries
e. DOT specification containers:
 Plastic drums or cans
(DOT SPEC 1H2 and 3H2)
 Wooden boxes
(DOT SPEC 4C1,4C2,4D,OR 4F)
 Fiberboard boxes
(DOT SPEC 4G)
 Plastic boxes
(DOT SPEC 4H2)
Nickel cadmium batteries
Rechargeable batteries often found in two way radios
Administrative requirements:
Under federal and Louisiana law, (the small quantity handler) of universal
waste batteries may accumulate batteries for no longer than one year from
the date the waste is generated [before shipping to a recycler]. You must
demonstrate the length of time that the waste has been accumulated by:
a.
Placing the battery in a container and mark the container with
the date of the earliest date that a waste (that has not been
shipped) was placed in the container.
b.
Mark each battery with the date it became a waste or was
received.
c.
Maintain an inventory system on-site that identifies the date that
each battery became a waste or was received.
Continued on next page
Version 2, October 2011
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Gulf of Mexico Shelf Region
Waste Management Procedures
Before you begin,
(continued)
Waste
Reduction


Arrange for battery exchange or credit from dealer.
Recycle.
Disposal


Send batteries for recycling
Do not place in trash or allow to be placed in a landfill.
Recordkeeping



Version 2, October 2011
Complete entry in Hazardous Material Section [Section I] of the Apache
Shipping Manifest prior to transportation.
Maintain a copy of manifest offshore and at shore base facilities while
shipping papers are active. Send original manifest with the shipment.
Retain records for three years.
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Gulf of Mexico Shelf Region
Waste Management Procedures
Shipping Instructions: Batteries (Nickel-Cadmium)
1.
2.
Call or FAX Dock/Base to schedule shipment.
Package batteries as follows:
a.
Batteries must packed without other materials in the container or package.
b.
Batteries must be protected to prevent short circuits. Insulate at least one terminal
of each battery with electrical tape or plastic cover to prevent short circuits and
possible fire.
c.
Battery terminals should not be used to support any weight.
d.
Do not drain the electrolyte from the batteries
e.
DOT specification containers:
 Plastic drums or cans
(DOT SPEC 1H2 and 3H2)
 Wooden boxes
(DOT SPEC 4C1,4C2,4D,OR 4F)
 Fiberboard boxes
(DOT SPEC 4G)
 Plastic boxes
(DOT SPEC 4H2)
f.
DOT authorized non-specification packaging
 Skids or pallets: Firmly secure batteries to skids or wooden pallets capable of
withstanding normal transportation shocks
Height of skid or pallet must not exceed 1½ times the width of the skid or
pallet. The unit must be able to support an additional 2 times its weight, or of
the unit weighs over 2000 pounds, must be able to support an additional 4000
pounds. (NOTE: This is for Dock or Shorebase packaging only. No
pallets are allowed offshore.)
 Outer boxes
One to three batteries, not over 25 pounds each, may be
packed in outer boxes. The maximum authorized gross weight is 75 pounds.
 Fiberboard boxes (200 pound test) Single batteries not exceeding 75 pounds
each.
Box must fit snugly and provide inside top clearance of at least ½ inch
Battery and box must be able to support 500 pounds without damage to
battery terminals cell covers or filler caps.
 Double-walled corrugated fiberboard boxes (400 pound test)
Single batteries exceeding 75 pounds each.
Sides and ends of box must have cushioning between battery and walls of
the box. Combined thickness of walls of box and cushioning material must be
½ inch.
Bottom of the battery must be protected by a minimum of one excelsior or
double-wall corrugated fiberboard pad.
Top of the battery must be protected by a wood frame, corrugated trays or
scored sheets of 200 pound test corrugated fiberboard. Top protection must
bear evenly on connectors and/or edges of the battery cover to facilitate
stacking of batteries.
Leaking batteries should be placed in 1H2 plastic drums or 3H2 plastic cans.
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Waste Management Procedures
Shipping Instructions: Batteries (Nickel-Cadmium), (continued)
3.
Mark Package:
a.
"Batteries, Wet, Filled with Alkali, 8, UN2795, PGIII"
b.
Stencil Container-"Apache" and the generator's location (i.e. Eugene Island 158)
4.
Label Package:
a.
"Corrosive" label.
b.
For packages having a volume over 64 cubic feet (478 gallons) and
for portable tanks of less than 1000 gallons: Place labels on at least two ends
(other than the bottom) or two sides.
5.
Prepare manifest (See Example):
a.
Complete entry in Hazardous Materials Section [Section I] of the Shipping
Manifest (See example).
The material description "Batteries, wet, Filled with Alkali, 8 UN2795, PGIII" should
be written in a blank line of Section 1. Enter the total quantity and the unit of
measurement of the material in the columns headed “Total Quantity” and “Unit
Wt./Vol.” respectively. Enter the number 154 in the column headed "Emergency
Response Guide."
6.
Placard Vehicle/Vessel:
a.
For cargoes of more than 1000 pounds: "Corrosive" Placard with UN number
2795 and the number 8 in bottom corner.
b.
For cargoes less than 1000 pounds: No Placard required on transport vehicle.
c.
Cargo or portable tanks shall be placarded as above on opposing sides if capacity
is between 119 and 999 gallons and on all four sides if 1000 gallons or more.
d.
See attached placard
7.
Load cargo in accordance with the following shipping limitations:
AIR
RESTRICTIONS (49 CFR 172.101)
Passenger Aircraft
55 pounds (25 kg)
Cargo Aircraft
No Restrictions
WATER
8.
RESTRICTIONS
Cargo and Passenger Vessels
On deck or under deck
Other Requirements
None
Include MSDS with shipment.
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