This example covers battery storage and handling across common chemistries - lithium-ion thermal runaway, charging, acid contact, hydrogen venting and safe disposal.

Effective form templates

This example risk assessment has been prepared using the
F-HS20 General Risk Assessment form template - a purpose-built template designed to focus entirely on what matters: identifying hazards, rating risk and recording controls, without any unnecessary fields getting in the way.

The file is supplied in fully editable MS Word format and can be saved to Google Docs if required, with pre-defined styles throughout to match the risk ratings.
The following document labelling is included in the footer:

• Form number and title
• Information-classification
• Version
• Page number / total pages

alphaZ documents - beautifully designed, tried and tested form templates. No junk, jargon or unecessary fields. Simple and usuable form templates developed over 25 years through practical use in the real world.

Further Reading

Further guidance on assessing and managing risk:

• Risk Assessment
• Risk Assessment - Likelihood and Consequence Scoring
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work

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Risk Assessment - Battery Storage and Handling

This pre-completed risk assessment covers workplace storage, handling, charging, transport and disposal of batteries across the common chemistries - lithium-ion, lead-acid, nickel-metal hydride and alkaline - in office, warehouse, industrial and depot settings. It considers employees handling or charging batteries, stores staff, maintenance personnel, waste handlers and anyone near storage or charging areas.

What Does This Risk Assessment Cover?

The assessment addresses the significant hazards of battery work, including:

• Lithium-ion thermal runaway - damaged, defective or improperly charged cells generating intense fire and toxic gases
• Charging hazards - overcharging, incompatible chargers and charging in unattended or flammable areas
• Lead-acid batteries - sulfuric acid contact and hydrogen gas venting during charging
• Storage and segregation - location, layout, quantity limits and handling of damaged or swollen batteries
• Short-circuit and arc - accidental terminal short-circuits releasing high currents instantly
• Movement and disposal - manual handling of heavy units, on-site transport and hazardous waste disposal routes
• Fire response and training - battery-specific emergency arrangements, authorisation and labelling

How the Risks Are Rated

Every hazard is scored twice. The inherent rating shows the risk before controls are considered, and the residual rating shows the risk that remains once the listed controls are in place - giving a clear picture of how much each set of controls is actually doing. Ratings are selected from pre-populated drop-down boxes, with document styles that colour-match each rating automatically, and recognised safety pictograms mark hazards, mandatory controls and prohibitions throughout.

Who Is This Risk Assessment For?

This assessment is suitable for any workplace storing or charging batteries, including:

• Warehouses, depots and distribution centres
• Offices and sites using battery-powered equipment
• Maintenance, fleet and materials handling operations
• Waste and recycling businesses

Ready to Adapt to Your Workplace

The controls reflect established good practice across battery chemistries. Review each row against the batteries and charging arrangements you actually have, adjust the ratings where your circumstances differ, and record your site-specific details in the completed-by and location fields.

Health and Safety Compliance

This document provides ready-to-use evidence of risk assessment and supports occupational health and safety management. The assessment is based on the F-HS20 General Risk Assessment template, is fully editable in Microsoft Word, and can be customised with your company details, site-specific information and review dates.