August 13, 2014 - Accidents involving batteries have caused life-threatening situations when they were shipped improperly. The FAA recently released a list of eye-opening accidents involving batteries on commercial and passenger flights. Recent events include:
* A laptop caught fire at a FedEx facility, before it was reloaded onto an aircraft
* A digital camera caught fire in the overhead compartment of an American Airlines flight
* A strong burning smell alerted FedEx staff in Indianapolis to a metal case. It was found to be packed with 12 aerosol cans and two lithium batteries that had short-circuited and overheated and singed the package.
* Undeclared batteries caught fire in a FedEx sort facility
* 52 undeclared AA batteries were found smoking in a burned box in a FedEx flight outbound from Memphis
* 18 Lithium batteries at a UPS facility melted through plastic wrap, and started burning
* A cargo pallet with lithium battery packs caught fire on a ramp while awaiting loading onto a flight in Ontario, Canada
To help prevent incidents like these, DOT recently issued a new final rule that was designed to enhance the safe shipment of lithium cells and batteries. The new rule was designed to ensure that shipments of batteries are able to withstand normal conditions of transport and arrive at their destination without creating an unsafe situation.
To help shippers of batteries comply with the new rule, Environmental Resource Center, Inc., has announced four live, interactive webcast training programs that teach shippers how to prepare various types and configurations of batteries for both ground and air transportation in accordance with the new regulations. The live, interactive webcast, How to Ship Batteries by Ground and Air, will take place on the following dates: August 26, September 18, October 27, and November 21.
According to Environmental Resource Center, the webcast explains how the new rule will:
* Revise and enhance packaging and hazard communication requirements for lithium batteries transported by air
* Replace equivalent lithium content with Watt-hours for lithium ion cells and batteries
* Adopt separate shipping descriptions for lithium metal batteries and lithium ion batteries
* Revise provisions for the transport of small and medium lithium cells and batteries including cells and batteries packed with, or contained in, equipment
* Eliminate the exceptions for small cells and batteries in air transportation, except with respect to extremely small cells packed with or contained in equipment
* Revise the requirements for the transport of lithium batteries for disposal or recycling
* Harmonize the provisions for the transport of low production and prototype lithium cells and batteries with the ICAO Technical Instructions and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code
* Adopt new provisions for the transport of damaged, defective, and recalled lithium batteries
DOT and IATA/ICAO regulate the shipment of virtually all types of batteries. The webcast will cover the new rules, as well as existing regulations for other types of battery shipments in an effort to ensure that shippers are aware of all the regulations regarding the shipment of batteries and can package them appropriately and safely.
For more information on the rule, the upcoming training, or how to ship batteries safely, you can visit Environmental Resource Center’s website at http://www.ercweb.com.
Alicia Knight
Environmental Resource Center
919-469-1585; Fax: 919-342-0807
alknight@ercweb.com
http://www.ercweb.com
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