Had one blow in my face too.
Touch and feel all the way to the safety shower.
Buzzer went off and ligts flashing got the attension of the mechanic in the lunch room.
lucky I had safety glasses but the vapours still burned my eyes ( not actual burns just that awful sting ).
Bleached my JD smow manchine jackety and one eye brow.
I believe it is now a code requirement that battery banls in stationary aplication be buiilt in specialty enclosers.
All I service predates this most are still fully open and exposed.
