WorkSafe is reminding employers about the risks of using Lithium-ion based Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) on construction sites. All users of Lithium-ion based BESS should be aware of the hazards they present whether in industry, in residential settings or in community energy storage systems.
When overheated, Lithium-ion batteries of all sizes can catch fire. The fire is often hard to put out and the smoke can be toxic. Never try to extinguish a fire involving Lithium-ion batteries. Notify emergency services on 000, evacuate the area and wait for emergency services to attend to the fire.
BESS are typically used in the construction industry when site power is unavailable to power electrical equipment, power plant such as tower cranes and piling rigs and provide general site power and lighting.
Large BESS units are designed with explosion or deflagration panels to ensure that if the batteries inside the BESS unit overheat or catch fire, any explosion, deflagration, fumes and smoke are directed upwards. This helps protect any people who are at ground level near the BESS unit by directing the fumes and smoke upwards.
In a construction setting this can affect or prevent people safely evacuating elevated plant and equipment like tower cranes, the risk increased if there is only one means of evacuation.
WorkSafe recommends that you do not place BESS units where employees are working near the top of or above the BESS, or where the only way to evacuate is alongside the BESS unit. For example, next to the base of a tower crane. Employers should always ensure that there is easy alternative access to disconnect or isolate power for the BESS system.
When positioning BESS units on site ensure there are clear evacuation routes and plan the evacuation route so that people will not be exposed to any fumes or smoke from the BESS whilst evacuating. If the site does not have sufficient room for evacuation routes, do not use a Lithium-ion BESS unit.
BESS units should be placed at least 3 metres away from equipment and plant access ladders and consider prevailing weather and surrounding structures. Employers should also consider the implications of BESS hazards when planning site access for emergency services and when developing emergency response plans.
Last year we reported on another WorkSafe safety alert about the general risks of using, storing and charging equipment with lithium-ion batteries, which has implications in many workplaces as was highlighted in a more recent safety alert issued for duress alarms in healthcare settings.
SafetyNet readers in the Melbourne area may remember the February fire at a Melbourne warehouse that was fuelled by lithium-ion batteries, sending toxic smoke over Cheltenham and Moorabbin as an example of how difficult and dangerous such fires are to control and the impact they have on the local environment.
Read more: Safe placement of Battery Energy Storage Systems on construction sites | WorkSafe Victoria