When working with sulfuric acid, several safety measures should be implemented to protect employees. These include providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensuring proper handling and storage procedures are followed. Here's a breakdown of key safety measures:

1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

   • Gas Masks: Provide gas masks fitted with canisters containing absorbents for the specific acids, gases, or mists involved [1].
   • Supplied Air Respirators: Strategically locate supplied air respirators for emergency and rescue use [1].
   • Eye and Face Protection: Workers should wear tight-fitting chemical goggles or effective face shields when there is a danger of splashing [2].
   • Protective Clothing: Provide employees with gloves impervious to the liquid and of sufficient length to prevent entrance of liquid into the tops of the gloves [2]. Also, provide aprons, coats, jackets, sleeves, or other garments made of rubber or other materials impervious to liquids to keep clothing dry [2].
   • Foot Protection: Where lime slaking takes place, employees shall be provided with rubber boots [3].

2. Engineering and Ventilation Controls:

   • Local Exhaust Ventilation: Hoods of cutters, shredders, and dusters shall have exhaust ventilation [4].
   • Adequate Ventilation: Areas where dry bleach powder is mixed shall be provided with adequate exhaust ventilation, located at the floor level [5].

3. Emergency Procedures:

   • Deluge Showers and Eye Flushes: Provide a deluge shower and eye fountain to flush the skin and eyes to counteract lime or acid burns [3].
   • Quick-Operating Showers and Bubblers: Quick operating showers, bubblers, etc., shall be available for emergency use in case of caustic soda burns [6].

4. Handling and Storage:

   • Dikes or Other Arrangements: Provide dikes or other arrangements to prevent the possibility of intermixing of cyanide and acid in the event of tank rupture [7].
   • Marking: All chlorine, caustic, and acid lines shall be marked for positive identification [5].

5. Hygiene and First Aid:

   • Washing Facilities: Sufficient washing facilities, including soap, individual towels, and hot water, shall be provided for all persons required to use or handle any liquids which may burn, irritate, or otherwise be harmful to the skin [7].
   • First Aid: First aid facilities specific to the hazards of the operations conducted shall be readily available [7].

6. Training and Procedures:

   • Written Safe Work Procedures: Establish written safe work procedures for hazardous operations, including spill response [8].
   • Training: Employees are adequately instructed and trained in the safe work procedures for hazardous operations [8].

7. Specific Safety Measures for Acid Plants:

   • Inspection and Maintenance: Elevators, runways, stairs, etc., for the acid tower shall be inspected monthly for defects that may occur because of exposure to acid or corrosive gases [1].
   • Confined Space Entry: Entering acid tanks shall be in accordance with confined spaces regulations [3].

By adhering to these guidelines, employers can create a safer working environment for employees who handle sulfuric acid.