As electric vehicles and battery storage systems become increasingly common in Australian workplaces, US occupational safety regulator OSHA has launched a dedicated Lithium-ion Battery Safety webpage to assist employers and workers managing the hazards associated with these technologies.

The new resource — announced in OSHA’s 2 November 2026 QuickTakes newsletter — covers the full lifecycle of lithium-ion batteries including manufacturing, use, storage, recycling and shipping. The launch was timed to coincide with a tour of Panasonic Energy’s new battery manufacturing facility in Kansas, where 2,000 workers produce batteries for electric vehicles.

Lithium-ion batteries present a range of hazards including thermal runaway, fire, and toxic gas release, particularly when damaged, improperly charged, or stored in high-temperature environments. As battery technology becomes embedded across logistics, warehousing, construction, and energy sectors, employers in Australia are increasingly encountering these risks in day-to-day operations.

While OSHA’s jurisdiction is the United States, its technical guidance provides a practical reference point for Australian safety professionals developing or reviewing safe operating procedures for lithium-ion battery use in their own workplaces. Safe Work Australia and state regulators have published some guidance on battery storage and EV charging safety, but comprehensive national standards continue to evolve as the technology proliferates.