Inorganic lead dust is the primary hazard in the battery manufacturing industry. Lead is a non-biodegradable, toxic heavy metal with no physiological benefit to humans. Battery manufacturing workers, construction workers, and metal miners are at the highest risk of exposure.
Management of chemicals is covered by Art. 6, which includes a process to regulate hazardous substances used in batteries, duplicating the existing and well-established REACH restriction process set out in Annex XVII of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.
The manufacturing process uses chemicals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and other hazardous materials. Workers may be exposed to these chemicals during the manufacturing process, which may lead to serious health problems. Lithium batteries are highly flammable and can catch fire or explode if not handled properly.
Batteries can pose significant hazards, such as gas releases, fires and explosions, which can harm users and possibly damage property. This blog explores potential hazards associated with batteries, how an incident may arise, and how to mitigate risks to protect users and the environment.
Although manufacturing incorporates several safety stages throughout the aging and charging protocol, lithium-ion battery cells are susceptible to fire hazards. These safety challenges vary depending on the specific manufacturing environment, but common examples include:
Lithium batteries are highly flammable and can catch fire or explode if not handled properly. This risk is especially high during the manufacturing process, as the batteries are often exposed to high temperatures, charging variances and pressure.