Safety Lithium Battery Safety

Are lithium-ion batteries safe?

The standard covers issues such as overcharging, over-discharging, short circuiting and thermal runaway, so does cover some aspects of fire hazards. Other standards for Lithium-ion batteries include UL-1642 and UL-9540. Meanwhile, the charity, Electrical Safety First, is championing proposed legislation on the safety of lithium batteries.

How do you manage a lithium-ion battery hazard?

Specific risk control measures should be determined through site, task and activity risk assessments, with the handling of and work on batteries clearly changing the risk profile. Considerations include: Segregation of charging and any areas where work on or handling of lithium-ion batteries is undertaken.

How can lithium-ion batteries prevent workplace hazards?

Whether manufacturing or using lithium-ion batteries, anticipating and designing out workplace hazards early in a process adoption or a process change is one of the best ways to prevent injuries and illnesses.

Are lithium-ion batteries a fire risk?

Over the past four years, insurance companies have changed the status of Lithium-ion batteries and the devices which contain them, from being an emerging fire risk to a recognised risk, therefore those responsible for fire safety in workplaces and public spaces need a much better understanding of this risk, and how best to mitigate it.

What are the OSHA standards for lithium-ion batteries?

While there is not a specific OSHA standard for lithium-ion batteries, many of the OSHA general industry standards may apply, as well as the General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970). These include, but are not limited to the following standards:

Should lithium-ion battery storage be considered a 'hazardous substance or materials incident'?

Any fire involving this level of large- scale lithium-ion battery storage must surely be treated as a ‘Hazardous Substances or Materials Incident’, so that the necessary specialist scientific and technical safety advice can be organised and implemented at the earliest opportunity.