Gulf of Mexico Shelf Region
Waste Management Procedures
Batteries (Lithium)
Before you begin
Description
Batteries
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
Refer to MSDS or Owner’s manual for equipment
Accumulation
Physical requirements:
KEEP DRY, may burn or detonate if moisture contacts lithium.
If damaged, ruptured or leaking, KEEP DRY, place in closed plastic container.
If not damaged, store in DOT approved packaging:
a. Cells and batteries must be packed in strong inner packages containing
no more than 500 grams ( 1 pound) of lithium or lithium alloy per inner
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. Series of cells must be equipped with diodes to prevent reverse current
flow.
d. Cells must have safety vent or design to prevent rupture under transport
conditions.
e. DOT specification containers:
 Plastic cans
(DOT SPEC 3H2)
 Wooden boxes
(DOT SPEC 4C1,4C2,4D,OR 4F)
 Fiberboard boxes (DOT SPEC 4G)
 Plastic boxes
(DOT SPEC 4H2)
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.
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Gulf of Mexico Shelf Region
Waste Management Procedures
Batteries (Lithium)
Before you begin, (continued)
Waste
Reduction



Arrange for battery exchange or credit from dealer.
Recycle.
Use rechargeable batteries
Disposal


Send to approved recycler.
Do not place in trash or allow to be placed in landfill.
Recordkeeping
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 the original manifest with the shipment.

Version 2, October 2011
Retain records for three years
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Gulf of Mexico Shelf Region
Waste Management Procedures
Shipping Instructions: Batteries (Lithium)
1.
Call or FAX Dock/Base to schedule shipment.
2.
Package batteries as follows:
a.
KEEP DRY may burn or detonate if moisture contacts lithium.
b.
Cells and batteries must be packed in strong inner packages containing no more
than 500 grams ( 1 pound) of lithium or lithium alloy per inner package
c.
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.
d.
Cells must have safety vent or design to prevent rupture under transport
conditions.
e.
DOT specification containers:
 Plastic cans (DOT SPEC 3H2)
 Wooden boxes (DOT SPEC 4C1,4C2,4D,OR 4F)
 Fiberboard boxes (DOT SPEC 4G)
 Plastic boxes (DOT SPEC 4H2)
f.
Leaking batteries should be KEPT DRY and placed in 1H2 plastic drums or 3H2
plastic cans.
3.
Mark Package:
a.
"Lithium Batteries, 9, UN3090, PGII"
b.
Stencil Container - "Apache" and the generator's location (i.e. Eugene Island 158)
4.
Label Package:
a.
Use Class 9, Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials 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 shipping papers (See Example):
a.
Complete entry in Hazardous Materials Section [Section I] of the Apache Shipping
Manifest (See example). The material description "Lithium Batteries, 9, UN3090,
PGII" should be written in a blank line of Section I. Enter the Guide number “138”
in the column headed, “EMERGENGY RESPONSE GUIDE’ (See example)
Continued on next page
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Waste Management Procedures
Shipping Instructions, (continued)
6.
Placard Vehicle/Vessel:
a.
For cargoes of more than 1000 pounds: "Class 9" Placard with UN number 3090
and the number 9 in bottom corner. It is unlikely that you will ship 1000 pounds of
lithium batteries.
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
11 pounds (5 kg)
Cargo Aircraft
77 pounds (35) kg gross
WATER
8.
RESTRICTIONS
Cargo and Passenger
Vessels
On deck or under deck
Other Requirements
None
Include MSDS with shipment.
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