If you observe a damaged or leaking battery pack, what is the correct course of action?

• A. Try to seal the leak with duct tape.
• B. Continue the work after wiping with rag.
• C. Do not touch; isolate the area, evacuate if needed, and contact trained personnel for assessment and containment.
• D. Remove the pack immediately with bare hands.

Answer: (C)

Damaged or leaking battery packs create multiple urgent hazards—chemicals can be corrosive, fumes toxic, and the pack can ignite or undergo thermal runaway. The safest response is to stay away from the pack, isolate the area, evacuate if needed, and summon trained personnel who have the proper PPE, containment tools, and procedures to assess and manage the leak safely. This approach prevents exposure, reduces the risk of spreading contamination, and ensures the incident is handled with appropriate containment.

Sealing the leak with duct tape is not a real mitigation because it doesn’t stop the release or neutralize the hazard and can trap vapors or fluids inside. Wiping with a rag might spread contamination and does not address the underlying danger. Removing the pack with bare hands would expose you to chemical burns, electrical hazards, and potential further damage.