British Safety Council Joins ‘Battery Breakdown’ Campaign

The British Safety Council is the latest organisation to back the ‘Battery Breakdown’ campaign, a safety initiative led by Electrical Safety First. The campaign highlights the fire risks posed by lithium-ion batteries, especially in e-bikes and e-scooters, which have been linked to a rise in injuries and fires. This comes amid growing concerns about the safety of charging these devices in residential and workplace settings.

Launch of the Health and Safety Uncut Podcast

To further support this cause, the British Safety Council has launched a new podcast series titled Health and Safety Uncut. Hosted by Dr Shaun Davis, the podcast will feature monthly interviews with industry experts on key safety issues. The first episode, featuring Matt Humby from Firechief Global, focuses on lithium-ion battery hazards and provides essential guidance on safe handling and storage practices.

Essential Advice for Employers

Phil Pinnington, head of audit and consultancy at the British Safety Council, emphasised the importance of managing lithium-ion batteries safely, particularly as e-bikes and e-scooters become more common in workplaces. Pinnington noted, “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.”

Read the article in full here.