Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Safety in the Workplace
CSA Group Fire Test Specialist Josh Dinaburg discusses lithium-ion battery fire risks, thermal runaway, evolving safety standards, and what workplace safety professionals need to know as battery storage systems become more common.
- By David Kopf
- May 14, 2026
Lithium-ion battery systems are growing common in workplaces, from backup power systems to grid-scale energy storage installations. However, as adoption grows, so do concerns about battery fires, thermal runaway events, and emergency preparedness. Those issues are the focus of the latest episode of the OH&S SafetyPod.
Executive Editor David Kopf speaks with Josh Dinaburg, Fire Test Specialist at CSA Group, about how lithium-ion battery failures occur and why these incidents present unique challenges for workplace safety professionals, first responders, and facility operators. The discussion explores the science behind thermal runaway, the role of fire testing in understanding battery behavior, and the differences between lithium-ion battery fires and more traditional workplace fire hazards. Dinaburg explains how batteries can act as both the ignition source and the fuel source during a fire event, making separation design, detection systems, and emergency planning especially important.
The episode also examines secondary hazards associated with battery fires, including toxic gases, arc flash risks, and post-fire cleanup concerns. Dinaburg discusses how evolving standards such as NFPA 855 and large-scale fire testing requirements are helping improve the safety and reliability of modern energy storage systems.
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addition, the conversation highlights practical considerations for workplace safety managers, including the importance of working with local fire departments, ensuring systems are properly certified, educating employees about emergency response procedures, and maintaining active oversight of battery storage installations.
Download or stream this episode today from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and more.
About the Author
David Kopf is the publisher and executive editor of Occupational Health & Safety magazine.