Aviva is calling on businesses to adopt stronger safety protocols for handling lithium-ion batteries, as a new survey reveals widespread reliance on the technology but significant gaps in risk management.
According to the poll, 95% of businesses find lithium-ion batteries essential for their daily operations, with one-third considering them essential or critical. However, many companies are failing to follow recommended safety measures, putting their operations and premises at risk.
The survey, conducted by Censuswide, found that a substantial number of businesses are not implementing basic safety checks for lithium-ion batteries. Among the respondents, 45% skip regular battery inspections, 45% do not use certified chargers, and 46% admit to allowing batteries to overcharge.
“Lithium-ion batteries are considered to be a more environmentally friendly option than conventional ones, and it’s great to see that businesses clearly recognise the important role they play in day-to-day operations,” said Chris Andrews, director of Aviva Risk Management Solutions. “However, this new technology doesn’t come without risks.”
Lithium-ion batteries are widely used across various devices and equipment, from smartphones to electric vehicles and power tools. While they power critical functions across sectors such as logistics and construction, they carry fire risks, especially if damaged, improperly charged, or disposed of incorrectly.
The batteries contain chemicals that can combust if subjected to thermal runaway, a phenomenon where increased heat from a fault or overcharge leads to fire. Extinguishing these fires can be challenging due to the volatility of the materials involved.
Despite the risks, the poll revealed that only 12% of businesses have dedicated safety measures for lithium-ion batteries. Of those with policies, just over half conduct regular damage inspections (55%) and follow safe storage practices (53%), while slightly fewer provide training on safe handling (51%).
Additionally, only 35% of businesses have established emergency response plans specifically for battery-related incidents. Charging practices also call for improvement. Although half of the respondents use genuine compatible chargers (55%) and avoid overcharging (54%), fewer follow other important precautions.
It was found that only 46% regularly maintain charging equipment, and 42% ensure charging areas are well-ventilated. Moreover, just 38% of companies charge batteries on non-flammable surfaces to reduce fire hazards.
The disposal of damaged or spent lithium-ion batteries presents another risk area. Only about half of the respondents (52%) follow the manufacturer’s disposal guidelines, while 44% use certified recycling facilities.
Training is also a key concern, with only 35% of surveyed companies providing regular training on battery handling. An additional 35% offer occasional training, but 15% have no training programmes in place, and of those, 10% have no future plans to implement any.
To help businesses address gaps in lithium-ion battery safety, Aviva has published new guidance on its website. The recommendations encourage companies to conduct regular inspections for signs of damage, such as unusual odours, swelling, or heat generation in batteries.
The insurer also recommends that businesses charge batteries in dedicated areas, ideally outside or in isolated rooms if indoors, where monitoring can occur. For better storage practices, it’s advised to keep combustible materials far from charging zones to prevent the rapid spread of fires in case of ignition.
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