Date: 201512
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: No Aircraft
Flight phase: Other General Ramp
ATC / advisory: Ramp ZZZ
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Ramp; Vehicle Driver
Human factors: Physiological - Other; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Detector: Person Ground Personnel
Result: Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: I am a safety rep at our Airport assigned to product sort. Sort area 1 had a serious hazardous material spill involving an electric tractor. The tractor was plugged in when battery acid spilled out and created a large hazardous material spill directly in our immediate work area. More than one person mentioned to me that the fumes were bothering them. I informed the employee that they should report this to management immediately if their condition worsened. The leads and I reported this to our supervisor who contacted the safety team and appropriate department who handles such spills. We blocked off the area the best we could but the spill was so large it seemed to spread heading towards the floor drain and closer to more people. Not only was this spill creating a serious health hazard but an environmental issue as well. It took more than 2 hours for the appropriate individuals to clean up the spill. I understand that in our work place these types of incidents are a very real possibility. But what really concerns me is the fact that on the very next day another identical electric tractor was plugged in and emitting fumes indicating that the battery was about to boil over and create the same type of hazard. After unplugging the tractor and noticing that it did not take a charge we immediately took it to the pit stop and informed the ground equipment mechanic of the situation. It gets better from here. On the third consecutive day; two additional electric tractors were following suit and emitting fumes while not taking a charge. After taking these two tractors to the pit stop and discussing the issue with the mechanic it seems that the batteries are not being serviced properly causing them to overheat and boil over. Not only is this a serious health hazard; but again; an environmental issue as well. For all of this to happen in such a short period of time is alarming and should be addressed immediately before something really bad happens. It would be extremely unfortunate for someone to get hurt or worse knowing that this could have been easily prevented. If this is not addressed now there will be another spill and potential serious injury.

Callback: The reporter stated he has worked for his carrier 29 years and not felt the need as he does now to comment further about this environmental and safety issue. The all electric tugs have been in service at his carrier for several years but not until last month have the battery anomaly concerns become heightened enough to comment on. The cold weather events of several months ago apparently have the ground service equipment people recharging electric tug batteries in whatever charger is available. Some older chargers; once removed from service because of the age; have been returned to service. These older units may not be compatible with newer battery technology which results in battery overheating and overcharging. The tugs at times are charged for hours unmonitored. The problem develops after tugs are returned to the line and sit while loading and leaking sulfuric acid over a wide area. People in the loading area exposed to the fumes experience lung and eye irritation.



Synopsis: A Ramp Agent detected several electric baggage tractor battery overheats three days in a row. The first overhead resulted in a HAZMAT acid spill and cleanup with baking soda; then washed down a drain. Improper battery servicing appears to be the cause.