Lion will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026. Online training support is available via support@lion.com.
Search

FAA and PHMSA Call Public Meeting on Lithium Battery Safety

Posted on 8/28/2015 by Roger Marks

Update 9/16: PHMSA has provided a link to register for this lithium battery safety meeting. Virtual meeting attendance is available via a Live Meeting. 

In the Federal Register on August 28, 2015, two offices of the US Department of Transportation—the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)—called a public meeting to address the unique issues posed by lithium batteries during air transport.

Regulators, stakeholders, and shippers at the meeting will discuss pertinent safety recommendations from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Lithium Battery Transport Group.

Lithium batteries can short-circuit in transit, catalyzing what’s called “thermal runaway,” where the short circuit leads to increased heat and increased current, which speeds up the battery’s chemical reaction rate, in turn creating more heat. Thermal runaway can result in fire, venting of hazardous gases, flying metal shrapnel, harmful smoke, and explosions, all of which are especially dangerous on an airplane. Read more about how lithium batteries become a transport and workplace hazard.
Lithium battery short circuit and fire
The meeting will help the DOT prepare to participate in the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel coming up in October, where lithium batteries are sure to be a major topic for discussion and new safety ideas.

Read about the latest recommendations coming out of the ICAO working groups on lithium batteries here: What’s Next in Lithium Battery Regulations?

According to the Federal Register, the meeting will be held on September 18, from 1-5 PM at the DOT headquaraters in Washington, D.C.

Expert Training on New Lithium Battery Rules

Learn the latest rules and fulfill the DOT, IATA, and IMO training requirements for shipping lithium batteries by ground, air, and vessel with the interactive Shipping Lithium Batteries Online Course. Complete your certification training at your own pace with 24/7 access from any Internet connection. Plus, Lion.com IT support is standing by 7 days a week to help you get your training done anytime, anywhere.

Live webinar on 9/15! A live, instructor-led update on the latest lithium battery rules for ground, air, and vessel. Get up to speed with what’s changing, and what to expect in 2016 and beyond. Don’t wait—reserve your seat here.

Tags: hazmat shipping, IATA, lithium batteries, new rules

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Lion's training was by far the best online RCRA training I've ever taken. It was challenging and the layout was great!

Paul Harbison

Hazardous Waste Professional

I really enjoy your workshops. Thank you for such a great program and all the help Lion has provided me over the years!

George Chatman

Hazardous Material Pharmacy Technician

The exercises in the DOT hazardous materials management course are especially helpful in evaluating your understanding of course information.

Morgan Bliss

Principal Industrial Hygienist

I was able to present my scenario to the instructor and worked thru the regulations together. In the past, I attended another training firm's classes. Now, I have no intention of leaving Lion!

Diana Joyner

Senior Environmental Engineer

The course is well thought out and organized in a way that leads to a clearer understanding of the total training.

David Baily

Hazmat Shipping Professional

We have a very busy work schedule and using Lion enables us to take the course at our own time. It makes it easy for me to schedule my employees' training.

Timothy Mertes

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The instructor was very knowledgeable and provided pertinent information above and beyond the questions that were asked.

Johnny Barton

Logistics Coordinator

Well designed and thorough program. Excellent summary of requirements with references. Inclusion of regulations in hard copy form, as well as full electronic with state pertinent regulations included is a great bonus!

Oscar Fisher

EHS Manager

Lion courses always set the bar for content, reference, and practical application. Membership and access to the experts is an added bonus.

John Brown, CSP

Director of Safety & Env Affairs

The instructor had knowledge of regulations and understanding of real-world situations. The presentation style was engaging and fostered a positive atmosphere for information sharing.

Linda Arlen

Safety & Environmental Compliance Officer

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

In most cases, injuries that occur at work are work-related and must be recorded to maintain compliance with OSHA regulations. This report shows you the 9 types of injuries you don’t record.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.