11/12/2019
In a recent letter of interpretation, PHMSA answers the question: "Does the 49 CFR exception for materials of trade apply to lithium batteries?"
11/05/2019
US DOT has announced a new 20-member safety committee to provide advice and recommendations to improve the safe air transportation of lithium ion and lithium metal cells and batteries.
10/11/2019
Although the lithium-ion battery is just about 30 years old, it has “created the right conditions for a wireless and fossil fuel-free society, and so brought the greatest benefit to humankind,” according to the Nobel committee. For these reasons, the 2019 Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded to the creators of the lithium-ion battery.
09/17/2019
Any business that sells lithium battery powered equipment should be ready for the possibility that customers may return devices with damaged batteries or bring back their recalled items for a replacement.
07/22/2019
Starting January 1, 2020, manufacturers and distributors of lithium cells and batteries (and equipment powered by lithium cells or batteries) must make available a lithium battery testing summary that provides critical safety information about their batteries to downstream shippers and consumers.
05/28/2019
Just before Memorial Day weekend, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) released the Spring 2019 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. Updated twice per year, the Unified Agenda gives industry stakeholders and the public a view into rulemaking activities in progress at major Federal agencies.
05/24/2019
Take this quick lithium battery quiz to test your knowledge of the latest lithium battery regulations and the history of these batteries in commerce.
05/20/2019
US DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration announced last week the formation of a new Lithium Battery Safety Advisory Committee.
03/29/2019
PHMSA snuck a new marking/labeling requirement for excepted lithium batteries shipped by all modes (including ground shipments) into its HM-224I lithium battery "harmonization" Interim Final Rule, in effect as of March 6, 2019.
03/22/2019
As energy storage technology improves, so will the ferocity with which lithium batteries can potentially 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.
Safety professionals can use this guide as a quick reference to OSHA’s regulations for training hours, days of field experience, refresher training, and HAZWOPER regulatory references where more information is available. The guide also includes course recommendations for managers or personnel in need of OSHA-required HAZWOPER training.