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Safety Precautions for Sulfuric Acid

Sulfuric acid is used in processes such as dehydrating synthetic detergents and manufacturing explosives and drugs, petroleum refining and metal processing, and is also a component of vehicle batteries. The Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety Health (NIOSH) require manufacturers of sulfuric acid to include a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) with the chemical. The MSDS gives information about the hazards of the acid, precautions to take and emergency measures in case of exposure.

  1. Hazard Risks

    • The common ways a worker can be exposed to sulfuric acid include contact with the skin or eyes; inhalation of the acid is also a potential risk, and swallowing sulfuric acid can cause internal damage. Safety procedures should be put into place for any worker who handles sulfuric acid and any group of workers for whom inhalation exposure can occur.

    Before Use

    • Any worker who must handle sulfuric acid should first read the MSDS that comes with the chemical; supervisors should also read the MSDS and make sure that all procedures and precautions are used. The air in an environment in which sulfuric acid is present must be sampled periodically to measure for Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL); this limit, set up by OSHA and NIOSH, is 1 mg of acid for each cubic meter of air. Exhaust ventilation must be in working condition to remove fumes from the area.

    Personal Protective Equipment

    • Personal protective equipment required for working with sulfuric acid includes a face shield to protect the face and eyes of a worker who handles or works close to the acid. In most cases, workers must also wear a chemical-proof suit, gloves and boots to protect the all areas of skin on the body. Anyone working in an area in which sulfuric acid fumes are created is required to wear a certified, tight-fitting respirator to keep fumes from his nasal passages and lungs.

    Treating Exposures

    • Any area in which sulfuric acid is used should contain a safety shower, an eyewash station station and clean chemical suits and gloves as well as emergency respirators. If a worker gets the acid on her skin, flush the skin immediately with water and remove any clothing that the acid has eaten through to cause the exposure. If acid gets into a worker's eyes, flush her eyes with water. Swallowing sulfuric acid will cause immediate burns to the mouth, esophagus and stomach; if this happens, drink large amounts of water to neutralize the acid; however, don't encourage vomiting, which will expose the damaged areas a second time as the acid comes back up. For exposure to fumes, get the worker to fresh air. Get medical help as soon as possible after any type of exposure to sulfuric acid.

    Surface Exposures

    • In the case of small or large spills of sulfuric acid, two methods can be used for cleanup. Either dilute the acid with water as quickly as possible, or use an absorbent material to soak up and neutralize it. Dry sand, soil or vermiculite are common materials used to absorb sulfuric acid.

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