Isolate rechargeable batteries
Control Measure Knowledge
Isolating batteries can reduce the immediate risks of electrical shock or other form of injury. Guidance on the isolation of separate battery types is not given here. Personnel should consider the need for consent if, for example, a battery is linked to a critical system.
As rechargeable batteries, even in a domestic context, can be hazardous, personnel should only isolate batteries themselves if absolutely necessary. If personnel are unsure about how to carry this out, they should refer to other sources of information, such as the responsible person or the manufacturer’s guidance, and consider requesting specialist advice. Industrial or commercial sites are likely to have isolation points.
Lower energy density rechargeable batteries
Incidents involving lower energy density rechargeable batteries may involve the spillage or release of hazardous or corrosive materials; refer to:
- Hazardous materials – Containment: Hazardous materials
- Hazardous materials – Absorption: Hazardous materials
- Hazardous materials – Dilution: Hazardous materials
- Hazardous materials – Treatment: Hazardous materials
- Hazardous materials: Health hazards – Substance identification: Corrosive materials
- Hazardous materials: Health hazards – Cordon controls: Corrosive materials
- Hazardous materials: Health hazards – Containment: Corrosive materials
- Hazardous materials: Health hazards – Treatment: Corrosive materials
- Hazardous materials: Health hazards – Dilution: Corrosive materials
Industrial or grid scale battery energy storage systems (BESS)
Rechargeable batteries found on an industrial or grid scale are likely to be more hazardous because of their size and type; they are likely to be high energy density rechargeable batteries. For these reasons, if isolation is possible, this should be performed by an on-site engineer or trained competent person.
Personal protective equipment
If personnel are deployed to a hazard area for rechargeable batteries, especially if they may need to isolate those batteries, they should wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect them against hazardous or corrosive materials. They may also need to wear electrical gloves; for further information refer to Personal protective equipment: Electrical gloves.