What you need to arrange for a safe working environment with lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere in modern workplaces, in tools, forklifts, electric bikes or drones. They’re convenient and powerful, but also vulnerable. When damaged or misused, they can overheat and even catch fire, often without warning.

The most common hazards include:

• Toxic smoke: Battery fires release thick smoke that’s harmful to human health
• Risk of explosion: When things go wrong, batteries can become extremely hot and explode
• Limited time to respond: Fire and smoke can spread quickly, making evacuation difficult

Even a small incident can have serious consequences for both your staff and your premises. That’s why it’s crucial to train your employees in battery safety and invest in safe charging and storage solutions.

If your organisation uses lithium-ion batteries, your safety policy and risk assessments should specifically cover how you manage them. A thorough risk assessment should answer the following questions:

• Where and how are batteries charged? Make sure your plan includes designated charging areas and clear supervision.
• Are employees trained to recognise hazards? Provide safety training and clear instructions for handling batteries.
• Are procedures in place for safe charging, handling, and storage? Document every step clearly to reduce human error.

A risk assessment is only useful if it leads to concrete safety measures. So what should you actually do?

Creating a safe work environment with lithium-ion batteries means making the right choices. These five steps are a solid foundation:

1. Only use original chargers that are designed for the battery in use.
2. Avoid overcharging, remove batteries from the charger as soon as they’re fully charged.
3. Inspect batteries regularly for damage, swelling or unusual smells.
4. Always charge batteries inside a certified battery safe to prevent a fire from spreading.
5. Train your employees in safe handling and make battery safety a standard part of daily operations.

It’s not always possible to prevent a battery fire. But you can stop it from spreading or getting worse. That’s exactly why the Batteryguard XL battery safe was developed.

Our battery safe is:

• Certified and tested according to VDMA 24994 test requirements – giving you peace of mind that fire, smoke and pressure stay safely contained.
• Suitable for any industry – from construction to logistics and everything in between.
• A clear safety measure – making it easier to demonstrate compliance with workplace safety standards.

Explore Batteryguard battery safes

Learn more about VDMA 24994 test requirements

The risks of lithium-ion batteries are real. That’s why it’s important to act now. A battery safe that meets international safety standards ensures that if a fire starts, it stays contained.

Batteryguard battery safes are tested according to VDMA 24994. They’re designed to keep fire, smoke and explosion pressure safely inside, protecting your employees, your building and your operations. We offer a range of solutions for different industries and battery types. Fast delivery, easy installation.