CFA CFA Battery & Electric Forklift Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When must the battery electrolyte level be checked on a lead-acid forklift battery?
- Only when the low-battery indicator light comes on
- After every charge cycle, once the battery has cooled (Correct answer)
- Before every shift regardless of charge status
- Once a week during scheduled PM service only
Correct answer: After every charge cycle, once the battery has cooled
Electrolyte levels should be checked after charging and after the battery has cooled, since hot electrolyte expands and gives a false reading.
Question 2: Which PPE is required when handling or servicing forklift batteries?
- Hard hat and steel-toed boots only
- Safety glasses, acid-resistant gloves, and apron (Correct answer)
- Fire-resistant coveralls and hearing protection
- Dust mask and nitrile gloves
Correct answer: Safety glasses, acid-resistant gloves, and apron
Battery acid exposure risk requires safety glasses, acid-resistant gloves, and a protective apron to shield skin and eyes from electrolyte splashes.
Question 3: What should be located near every battery charging station according to OSHA guidelines?
- A fire extinguisher rated Class D
- An eyewash station and emergency shower (Correct answer)
- A first aid kit with burn dressings only
- A neutralization bin filled with sand
Correct answer: An eyewash station and emergency shower
OSHA requires an eyewash station and emergency shower within 10 seconds of travel from battery charging areas to treat acid exposure.
Question 4: What is 'opportunity charging' in the context of electric forklifts?
- Charging the battery only when a spare replacement battery is unavailable
- Charging the battery during short breaks or downtime throughout the shift (Correct answer)
- Using a fast charger to fully charge the battery in under one hour
- Swapping battery packs between multiple forklifts to maximize uptime
Correct answer: Charging the battery during short breaks or downtime throughout the shift
Opportunity charging refers to plugging in the electric forklift during short work breaks to top up the battery without fully depleting it first.
Question 5: Why must metal tools and jewelry be kept away from the top of a forklift battery?
- They can contaminate the electrolyte if dropped into the cells
- They can create a short circuit across battery terminals causing sparks or fire (Correct answer)
- They interfere with the battery management system sensors
- They add unnecessary weight that stresses the battery tray
Correct answer: They can create a short circuit across battery terminals causing sparks or fire
Metal objects bridging the battery terminals can create a short circuit, generating extreme heat, sparks, or fire.
Question 6: Which forklift battery type requires no water additions and is considered maintenance-free?
- Flooded lead-acid
- Gel cell lead-acid
- Lithium-ion (Correct answer)
- Nickel-cadmium
Correct answer: Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion batteries are sealed and maintenance-free, requiring no water additions, and they offer faster charging and longer cycle life than lead-acid types.
CFA CFA Battery & Electric Forklift Safety 2
When must the battery electrolyte level be checked on a lead-acid forklift battery?