There has been a steady increase in fires associated with portable tools that use lithium-ion and lithium polymer batteries. The batteries have caught fire when:
- transported loose in a tool bag on the back of a work ute
- connected to a charger
- inside an unattended vehicle that exceeded the maximum recommended temperature, and
- run over, after falling from a man basket underground.
The Regulator makes several recommendations to mine operators for charging, transporting and limiting exposure of lithium batteries in the recently published safety bulletin (PDF 468.48).
Please ensure all relevant people in your organisation receive a copy of the bulletin and are informed of its content and recommendations.
