Search

Caught on Tape: Lithium Battery Fire Destroys 23 E-Bikes in Spain

Posted on 3/22/2019 by Roger Marks

Lithium battery fires are fast becoming a defining feature of modern life around the world.

A vast majority of lithium batteries are never involved in emergency incidents like the ones that seem to make headlines every week. In fact, these batteries can save lives when they power medical devices, and they make life a little bit easier for billions of us every day.

Still, the risks these batteries pose cannot and should not be ignored. As energy storage technology improves, so will the ferocity with which these batteries ignite or “explode.” For safety professionals, this means that training on safe lithium battery handling procedures may be a smart addition to any workplace safety program—and may even be required under OSHA’s General Duty Clause.

Lithium battery incidents on the nightly news may follow the old programming mantra of “if it bleeds, it leads,” but they also provide valuable insight into battery safety in general.

23 Motorbikes Burn in Spain

A lithium battery fire is thought to the be the cause of a massive fire in Spain that destroyed 23 electronic bikes before a big race. Fortunately, no one was injured by the fire, which was caused by a prototype charging station used to charge the batteries powering the bikes. 


HP Expands Notebook Computer Recall

On March 12, electronics manufacturer HP expanded its voluntary safety recall of lithium-ion batteries that power its commercial notebook computers and mobile workstations. In January 2018, HP recalled about 50,000 of these batteries. After receiving eight new reports of lithium batteries overheating, melting, or charring this year, the recall has been expanded to cover 78,500 more.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission maintains a list of affected HP products on its recall page.


Vape Shop Sued After Man Badly Burned by Battery

A man in Kansas is suing a local “vape shop” after the spare battery he purchased there allegedly exploded in his pocket on the trip home. According to AP News, the man put the battery in his pocket with his car keys and coins. When a loose lithium battery touches metal objects, it can cause a short circuit, which in turn can overheat the battery.

“It was like a flame thrower. It just ignited and was a big ball of fire,” the man’s attorney said, AP reports.  Preventing contact with metal objects is one of the tips we offer in our Lithium Battery Safety Tips video below. 

 
 

Shipping Lithium Batteries—Online or Live in North Jersey!

Full hazmat training to ship lithium batteries by ground, air, or vessel is now available as both an online course and an exclusive classroom workshop at Lion’s New Jersey Training Center. Meet US DOT, IATA DGR, and IMDG Code DG training rClass-9-Label-white-background-LITHIUM-BATTERIES.pngequirements and build the knowledge and skills to keep your shipments in compliance.

Shipping Lithium Batteries Online Course

Train online anytime and benefit from exercises and interactive learning tools that help you retain what you learn. Build in-depth expertise on how to class, package, mark, label, loading, unload, and document lithium battery ground, air, and vessel shipments. Plus, get free lithium battery safety training at Lion.com when you enroll now!

Tags: battery safety, hazardous materials, hazmat shipping, lithium batteries, lithium battery training

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Excellent class, super instructor, very easy to follow. No rushing through material. Would like to take his class again.

Lawrence Patterson

EH&S Facility Maintenance & Security Manager

Convenient; I can train when I want, where I want.

Barry Cook

Hazmat Shipping Professional

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

Genell Drake

Outbound Lead

Lion is easily and consistently the best option for compliance training. I've learned new information from every instructor I've had.

Rachel Mathis

EHS Specialist

This was the 1st instructor that has made the topic actually enjoyable and easy to follow and understand. Far better than the "other" training providers our company has attended!

Lori Hardy

Process & Resource Administrator

No comparison. Lion has the best RCRA training ever!!

Matt Sabine

Environmental Specialist

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 was energetic and made learning fun compared to dry instructors from other training providers.

Andy D’Amato

International Trade Compliance Manager

The course was very well structured and covered the material in a clear, concise manner.

Ian Martinez

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Lion's information is very thorough and accurate. Presenter was very good.

Melissa Little

Regulatory Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Shipping papers are a crucial part of safely shipping hazardous materials. See the top 5 mistakes shippers make on shipping papers, and how to avoid them.

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.