Lithium-ion battery catches fire

Background

Part of a hospital was evacuated after a lithium-ion battery from a workstation on wheels (WOW) caught fire. WOWs are commonly used in the healthcare sector.

Several other batteries in the same hospital were found to have physical signs of damage such as cracked housing. This is when the entire outer case of the battery is damaged.

This was likely caused by the batteries being knocked or dropped as they were swapped into recharging cradles.

There have also been separate reported instances of damaged lithium-ion batteries in personal duress alarms (PDAs). Some Airista Flow PDA batteries have been found to show signs of:

• swelling or bulging
• leaking
• cracks, dents, punctures or crushing.

Safety issues

A lithium-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery. When overheated, lithium-ion batteries of all sizes can catch fire. This can happen when:

• there is damage such as cracked housing, swelling or leaking
• incorrect charging equipment is used
• batteries are sanitised or over-handled.

Lithium-ion battery fires are hard to put out. Smoke from the fire itself can be toxic. Trying to extinguish the fire creates an additional safety risk.

In some workplaces, evacuating employees and other people due to a fire may be difficult. Examples include:

• hospitals
• aged care facilities
• other healthcare settings.

Recommended ways to control risks

Where lithium-ion batteries are used in these workplaces, employers should use the highest level of risk control possible. They should not rely on administrative controls like operational staff inspecting batteries.

Employers should:

• Remove lithium-ion batteries from areas where a battery fire could be a hazard. For example:
  • use only mains-powered devices where patients cannot be evacuated
  • do not store or charge removable battery packs or light electric vehicles in offices or other spaces near people.
• Replace lithium-ion batteries with other batteries that are less likely to overheat and catch fire, where appropriate.
• Install software upgrades or smart chargers that monitor lithium-ion battery status. These automatically disconnect the power if a fault is detected.
• Talk to suppliers about ways to reduce handling of batteries. This may include:
  • Retrofitting existing WOWs with an adaptor to convert them to units with on-board batteries. Do this in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Buying new WOWs with internal batteries that can be charged using a power point. This means employees will not have to handle batteries.
• Store and charge equipment in a dedicated area that is:
  • separated from people
  • fire-resistant; for example, covered by working smoke alarms and suitable sprinkler systems.
• Develop a system to inspect batteries and remove damaged batteries. For example, those with damaged power buttons or cracked battery housings. This could limit battery changeover to employees who:
  • are trained
  • can dedicate time to inspect and test batteries before they are reused.
• Provide information, instruction and training on how to clean and disinfect batteries. Ensure employees do not:
  • spray water or disinfectant on batteries
  • store water or alcohol-based products near batteries or charging cradles
• Have emergency response plans that address the risk of a lithium-ion battery fire. These should include clear. instructions for people to:
  • evacuate the area via a suitable route
  • not try to extinguish a fire involving lithium-ion batteries as they could be exposed to toxic smoke.

Legal duties

Employers have duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. These include the following:

• Providing and maintaining a working environment that is safe and without risks to health.
• Providing employees with information, instruction, training or supervision as is necessary to perform their work safely and without risks to health.
• Ensuring persons other than employees are not exposed to risks to their health and safety from the employer's conduct.
• Consulting with employees and any health and safety representatives when:
  • identifying or assessing hazards or risks
  • making decisions about risk control measures
  • proposing changes to the workplace, plant or work processes that may affect health and safety.

Employers must do this so far as is reasonably practicable.

Employers also have duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017. They must ensure that employees and supervisors who are likely to be exposed to risks are trained and given information and instruction about hazards related to plant. This includes:

• the processes for identifying hazards and controlling risk
• safety procedures associated with using the plant at the workplace
• the use, fit, testing and storage of personal protective equipment, if relevant.

Related information

• AS/NZ 3551:2012 – Management programs for medical equipment
• AS/NZS 2500:2020 - Safe use of medical electrical equipment in health care