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

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

More thorough than a class I attended last year through another company.

Troy Yonkers

HSES Representative

The instructor was probably the best I ever had! He made the class enjoyable, was humorous at times, and very knowledgeable.

Mary Sue Michon

Environmental Administrator

As always, Lion never disappoints

Paul Resley

Environmental Coordinator

Attending Lion Technology classes should be mandatory for every facility that ships or stores hazmat.

Genell Drake

Outbound Lead

Lion's online training is more comprehensive, has better slides, and is a superior training experience than what I would get from other trainers.

Robert Brenner

District Environmental Manager

I used the IT support number available and my issue was resolved within a few minutes. I don't see anything that could have made it better.

Danny Province

EHS Professional

Best course instructor I've ever had. Funny, relatable, engaging; made it interesting and challenged us as the professionals we are.

Amanda Schwartz

Environmental Coordinator

The instructor did an excellent job presenting a very dry subject; keeping everyone interested and making it enjoyable.

Marc Bugg

Hazardous Waste Professional

Given the choice, I would do all coursework this way. In-person courses go very fast without the opportunity to pause or repeat anything.

Ellen Pelton

Chemical Laboratory Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Explore ten hazardous waste management errors that caused generators in California the most trouble last year.

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.