What Every Safety Leader Needs to Reassess About Lithium-Ion Battery Risks:

Lithium-ion batteries power more of our daily technology and industrial tools than ever before, from portable electronics to material handling equipment and energy storage systems. Their energy density and convenience make them essential, but they also introduce specific hazards that many facilities are only beginning to recognize in formal risk assessments. A growing body of safety guidance highlights how fires and thermal events linked to lithium batteries can have severe consequences for people, operations, and property when risks are not fully understood and managed.

Routine fire risk assessments sometimes overlook rechargeable lithium batteries entirely, despite the fact that even isolated incidents can escalate quickly due to the unique behavior of lithium battery thermal runaway. Identifying where batteries are charged, stored, used, and how they are communicated across teams is critical to developing a comprehensive safety program. Emerging codes and standards are now addressing storage requirements and protective measures to reduce the potential for fire and explosion in facilities with significant lithium battery inventories.

For safety professionals looking to strengthen their approach to lithium battery hazards, this topic warrants close attention. The full article in Safety + Health Magazine provides detailed guidance on evaluating and mitigating these risks within your workplace.