British Safety Council lends full support to ‘Battery Breakdown’ campaign

Orchestrated by charity Electrical Safety First and championed by industry practitioners including Matt Humby, the ‘Battery Breakdown’ campaign seeks to raise awareness of the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries and to improve safety levels. This follows on from growing concern over the rise in injuries and devastating fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters.

The British Safety Council’s ‘Health and Safety Uncut’ Podcast will feature leading industry experts and take a deep dive into a wide range of topics. In hi role as senior technical consultant at Firechief Global, Matt Humby kicks off the series with a topical and informative discussion about lithium-ion batteries and the serious fire risks they present when not handled and stored correctly.

The ‘Health and Safety Uncut’ Podcast is hosted by Dr Shaun Davis, Group director of safety, health and well-being at Belron International, who will interview a different guest on a new topic each month.

Paul Fakley, engagement director at the British Safety Council, said: “The ‘Health and Safety Uncut’ Podcast is a great way to bring health, safety and well-being issues to the fore. Whether you’re looking for new insights and information from experts and specialists, want to broaden your knowledge or simply hear something new and engaging on such issues, this podcast is the one for you.”

Episodes of ‘Health and Safety Uncut’ are being released on the first Monday of each month at https://open.spotify.com/show/19ZT9Cb03WmVNaVIU77HIM

Timely and important advice

With the number of lithium-ion battery-related fires in residential buildings and workplaces on the increase, the first episode of the ‘Health and Safety Uncut’ Podcast provides timely and vitally important advice and information on how to minimise the risk and keep people safe.

Commenting on the British Safety Council’s support for the ‘Battery Breakdown’ campaign, Phil Pinnington (head of audit and consultancy) explained: “As is the case with all new and developing technologies, the increasing use of e-bikes and e-scooters has prompted a wave of new questions, considerations and challenges, not least for employers as e-bikes and -scooters have entered the workplace and are routinely charged at – or otherwise under – desks.”

Pinnington added: “The British Safety Council is delighted to join other key supporters of this important campaign and to work with Electrical Safety First to ensure that the future for e-bikes and e-scooters is both practical and safe.”

*To download a copy of the British Safety Council’s guide for employers on how to manage lithium-ion batteries in the workplace visit https://www.britsafe.org/training-and-learning/informational-resources/storing-lithium-ion-batteries-in-the-workplace