Lithium ion batteries have become an everyday feature of modern workplaces. From handheld scanners and power tools to e-bikes, forklifts, and energy storage units, they’re now present across warehouses, manufacturing plants, offices, retail sites, and transport hubs. 

Square-article-3-300x300 | Lithium Ion Safety Statements – Who Needs It, and What’s Covered? | EHS International

 

However, with widespread use comes a new set of risks: thermal runaway, off-gassing, toxic vapours, re-ignition, and contaminated run-off.

These are not theoretical concerns they’re real, documented hazards that require specific control measures. 

So, who exactly needs a Lithium Ion Safety Statement, and what should it include? Let’s explore both questions.

Every workplace in Ireland must have a written Safety Statement under the Safety, Health and

 Welfare at Work Act 2005. This document identifies the key hazards in the business and outlines how they’re controlled.

But generic Safety Statements are no longer enough for sites handling lithium ion batteries. Whether you’re storing, charging, repairing or disposing of them, these activities introduce high-energy, fast-developing fire risks that require explicit assessment, documentation and emergency planning. 

 

Who Needs a Lithium Ion Safety Statement? 

If any of the following apply to your operations, you need to address lithium ion risks within your Safety Statement or create a standalone annex: 

  • You store lithium ion batteries or products containing them (e.g., tools, e-bikes, electronics) 
  • You charge batteries or battery-powered equipment on site 
  • You manage returns or repairs where the condition of the battery is unknown 
  • You transport, repack or dispose of used or damaged batteries 
  • You operate a quarantine or segregation area for suspect items 
  • Your insurer or local authority has requested evidence of lithium ion risk controls 
  • You have energy storage systems or large forklift battery charging stations 
  • You have staff unfamiliar with lithium ion hazards who could be exposed in an emergency 

In other words, if lithium ion batteries are present in any part of your operation, you should have a documented plan that reflects the specific hazards they introduce. 

 

What Your Lithium Ion Safety Statement from EHS International Will Cover 

When you engage EHS International to prepare your Lithium Ion Safety Statement, our expert team of consultants will tailor it precisely to your site, operations and regulatory requirements.

 

Your document will be practical, audit-ready and aligned with real-world risks. 

  1. Hazard Identification
  • Detailed inventory of lithium ion batteries and devices on site 
  • Battery chemistries, storage locations and charging points 
  • Realistic scenarios such as overheating, off-gassing, fire spread, and re-ignition 
  • Identification of associated chemical and electrical hazards 

 

  1. Risk Assessment
  • Evaluation of likelihood and severity for each identified scenario 
  • Inventory thresholds that trigger enhanced control measures 
  • Specific assessment of waste batteries, damaged goods and unknown state-of-charge units 
  • Summary of residual risk and recommended improvement actions 

 

  1. Storage Controls
  • Segregation distances and fire-resisting storage solutions 
  • Layout design to isolate lithium ion stock from combustibles and escape routes 
  • Temperature and damage monitoring processes 
  • Clear labelling, access control and stock rotation procedures 

 

  1. Charging Controls
  • Designated, supervised charging zones with ventilation and signage 
  • Controls to prevent overnight charging where not protected by detection or suppression 
  • Use of approved chargers, cable management and inspection regimes 
  • Procedures for identifying and removing damaged or defective batteries 

 

  1. Detection, Alarm and Suppression
  • Assessment of current detection systems and coverage adequacy 
  • Recommendations for early heat or off-gas detection where appropriate 
  • Guidance on water-based and alternative suppression methods 
  • Advice on spill and run-off management during an incident 

 

  1. Emergency Response Plan
  • Step-by-step incident procedures for isolation, evacuation and first response 
  • Defined command structure and communication flow 
  • Coordination with the local fire service, including pre-incident plans and access maps 
  • Post-incident monitoring, re-ignition checks and decontamination arrangements 

 

  1. Inspection, Maintenance and Review
  • Routine inspection checklists for storage, charging and detection systems 
  • Preventive maintenance schedule and visual inspection frequency 
  • Templates for record-keeping and continuous improvement tracking 

 

  1. Waste Management and Disposal
  • Handling and packaging guidance for damaged or end-of-life batteries 
  • ADR-compliant labelling and storage for waste streams 
  • Approved waste contractor coordination and traceability documentation 

 

  1. Training and Competence
  • Awareness modules on lithium ion hazards and safe handling 
  • Role-specific emergency response training and drills 
  • Records of attendance and refresher intervals 
  • Optional VR-based fire training for realistic simulation 

 

  1. Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
  • Information-sharing protocols for staff, contractors, insurers and emergency responders 
  • Signage and visual aids for key risk zones 
  • Integration with existing site safety management systems 
  • Annual review meetings and documentation updates as operations evolve 

Your Safety Statement will not only meet compliance requirements but also demonstrate to regulators, insurers and clients that your organisation understands and controls lithium ion risks effectively. 

 

Common Gaps We Find in Organisations 

Through our work across Ireland and the UK, EHS International frequently identifies the same recurring gaps: 

  • Charging carried out in unmonitored areas 
  • Mixed storage of damaged and healthy batteries 
  • No segregation or quarantine process 
  • Inadequate signage or emergency lighting 
  • Staff unaware of how to identify overheating or off-gassing 
  • Fire plans that assume a standard Class A fire response 

These oversights can significantly increase risk and may also lead to enforcement notices or insurance restrictions. 

 

Benefits of a Dedicated Lithium Ion Safety Statement from EHS International 

A robust lithium ion Safety Statement demonstrates that your organisation: 

  • Recognises lithium ion as a distinct safety hazard 
  • Has a structured risk assessment and control plan in place 
  • Can show insurers, regulators and clients a proactive safety culture 
  • Is ready to respond effectively and minimise damage in the event of an incident 

It’s not just a compliance document, it’s a cornerstone of responsible business practice and resilience. 

 

How EHS International Can Help 

At EHS International, we specialise in supporting businesses that store, handle or charge lithium ion batteries.

Our consultants deliver:

  • Lithium ion risk assessments and hazard identification 
  • Site layout reviews and segregation design 
  • Fire detection, suppression and containment advice 
  • Specialist services for damaged or defective batteries, recovery and de-energisation 

 

If lithium ion batteries are part of your operations, now is the time to review your documentation. A short site assessment and tailored Safety Statement can protect your people, property and reputation. 

Contact EHS International today to arrange your Lithium Ion Safety Statement review. 
📞 +353 (0)21 206 6006
🌐 www.ehsinternational.com 

Protecting your workplace starts with understanding your risks, and proving you’ve planned for them.