The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) is assisting members with training on how to safely interact with electric vehicles (EVs) and lithium-ion batteries. The association’s first in-person course, EV Safety Technician, was held in December 2023 in Ostrander, Ohio (Columbus). The program is a partnership between ReMA and the Energy Security Agency (ESA).
The course is designed to equip recycling and dismantling professionals with the critical knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to interact safely with EVs and Li-ion batteries. Students receive ESA certificates of completion and Institute of Motor Industries (IMI) certification in battery pack dismantling operations.
“The training course was my first exposure to the lithium-ion battery process,” said Courtney Cina, general manager at SA Recycling’s Navarre, Ohio location. “In Northwest Ohio we don’t see many of these batteries in the facility yet, so the course was really informative and dove into the dos and don’ts of safely handling these batteries—everything from hazard management to hazard staging to the actual removal of the batteries.”
The course structure provides a high-energy and interactive balance of classroom and academic sessions with practical hands-on labs at the state-of-the-art ESA/Energy Safety Response Group (ESRG) alternative energy testing lab in Ohio.
On the first day, instructors teach participants how to process and store lithium-ion batteries when they come to a recycling facility as well as battery safety and potential dangers.
“We talk about using three of the senses: smell, sight, and sound,” said Chelsey Schneider, director of training at Energy Security Agency who serves as one of the course trainers. “For example, when a lithium-ion battery starts off-gassing it smells like cherry bubble gum, and we teach participants what to listen and watch for.”
The second day of the course focuses on batteries in vehicles and teaching attendees about the different electrical components in an EV or hybrid, and how to safely remove the battery from the vehicle.
Course highlights:
- EV Orientation
- Li-ion Battery and HV System Overview
- Hazardous Condition Identification
- Hazardous Condition Management
- Safety when interacting with EV
- IMI Certification in Battery Dismantling
- Hands On Experience with EV Battery Packs
Instructors for the Safety Technician course are highly specialized professionals from ESA who operate in the emergency services and industrial safety services sectors. ESA professionals are industry leaders in safe battery handling through comprehensive research, testing, educating, consulting, emergency response, and code and standard guidance and development.
“The course includes hands-on training and how to implement safety measures around these batteries,” Schneider said. “We show them how to use gas meters and look for CO readings. We also discuss reading thermal imaging cameras, how to put a fire blanket on, and review how to safely package the batteries for transportation.”
The in-person Safety Technician course has a prerequisite training course, High Voltage Electric Vehicle Technology Online Course. Click here for more information.
According to Cina, this course is important for anyone in the recycled materials industry to take advantage of from the general manager to the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) teams.
“Not only were the lectures informative but with the hands-on experience we could see how the training could be applicable to everyday car processing,” she said. “In this industry it’s one thing to know something and another to do it. Lithium-ion batteries are going to make their way across the nation and wind up in our recycling facilities so it’s very important to be prepared for when that time comes, and this course helps us do just that.”
If you’re interested in participating in a future class, please complete this interest form.
Photos Courtesy of Chelsey Schneider.
