Section 5: Approaching a Damaged Electric Vehicle
WARNING:
ELECTRIC VEHICLES DAMAGED BY A CRASH MAY HAVE COMPROMISED HIGH VOLTAGE SAFETY SYSTEMS AND PRESENT A
POTENTIAL HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. EXERCISE CAUTION AND WEAR APPROPRIATE PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) INCLUDING HIGH VOLTAGE SAFETY GLOVES AND BOOTS. REMOVE ALL METALLIC JEWELRY,
INCLUDING WATCHES AND RINGS. ISOLATE THE HIGH VOLTAGE SYSTEM AS DIRECTED BY THE FORD EMERGENCY RESPONSE
GUIDE FOR THE VEHICLE. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH..
WARNING:
DAMAGED ELECTRIC VEHICLES SUBMERGED IN WATER PRESENT A POTENTIAL HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SHOCK
HAZARD. EXERCISE CAUTION AND WEAR APPROPRIATE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) INCLUDING HIGH
VOLTAGE SAFETY GLOVES AND BOOTS. REMOVE ALL METALLIC JEWELRY, INCLUDING WATCHES AND RINGS. DO NOT
ATTEMPT TO EXTRACT THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY HAS DISCHARGED INDICATED BY THE ABSENCE OF
BUBBLING OR FIZZING. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
WARNING:
FIRES IN CRASH-DAMAGED ELECTRIC VEHICLES MAY EMIT TOXIC OR COMBUSTIBLE GASSES. SMALL AMOUNTS OF EYE, SKIN
OR LUNG IRRITANTS MAY BE PRESENT. WEAR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) AND SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING
APPARATUS WHEN WORKING IN CLOSE PROXIMITY OR IN A CONFINED AREA, SUCH AS A TUNNEL OR GARAGE. VENTILATE
THE VEHICLE INTERIOR BY OPENING VEHICLE WINDOWS OR DOORS. VENTILATE THE WORKING AREA. FAILURE TO FOLLOW
THIS INSTRUCTION MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
WARNING:
ELECTRIC VEHICLES WITH DAMAGED HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERIES REQUIRE SPECIAL HANDLING PRECAUTIONS. INSPECT THE
VEHICLE CAREFULLY FOR LEAKING BATTERY FLUIDS, SPARKS, FLAMES, AND GURGLING OR BUBBLING SOUNDS. CONTACT
EMERGENCY SERVICES IMMEDIATELY IF ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE OBSERVED. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE
INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
WARNING:
DEPOWERING THE HIGH VOLTAGE SYSTEM DOES NOT DISSIPATE VOLTAGE INSIDE THE BATTERY, THE BATTERY PACK
REMAINS LIVE AND DANGEROUS. CONTACT WITH THE HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY PACK INTERNALS MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS
PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Follow Existing Training and Incident Commander Direction
Emergency responders should use
LARGE
amounts of water if fire is present or suspected and, keeping in mind that fire can occur for a
considerable period after the crash, should proceed accordingly.
This guide provides only supplemental information as it pertains to these vehicles. The same rules apply when approaching any potential High
Voltage situation. Always follow your High Voltage safety training. Some precautions to observe in a High Voltage situation include:
•
Remove all jewelry such as watches, necklaces and earrings. Remove all metal objects that are conductors of electricity.
•
Wear the necessary PPEs such as High Voltage rubber gloves, face shield, insulated boots, protective raincoat and apron.
Bring the following equipment:
•
Class ABC powder-type fire extinguisher.
•
A non-conductive object, about 1.5 m (5 ft) long, to safely push someone away from the vehicle if they accidentally come in contact with a
damaged electric vehicle.
Approaching a Damaged Vehicle
Disable the High Voltage electrical system using as many of the following steps as possible:
5-2
Approaching a Damaged Electric Vehicle
Section 5: Approaching a Damaged Electric Vehicle
2020 Explorer / Aviator Hybrid Vehicle Emergency Response Guide - 04/2019
