OSHA Grant Backs Forklift Battery Safety Training
Warehouse workers and employers will receive free training materials on battery hazards after OSHA reviews and approves the curriculum.
- By Chelsey Arries
- Oct 14, 2026
Battery Council International (BCI) will develop safety instruction for lithium-ion forklift batteries and other material handling equipment with funding from OSHA’s Susan Harwood Training Grant Program.
The curriculum will serve warehouse, distribution and industrial employees, including workers learning to maintain battery-powered fleets. Materials will be offered nationwide at no charge following OSHA approval, the association said.
Planned lessons will address charging risks, battery storage, damaged battery handling and warning signs of overheating that can escalate into a fire. Other topics include lead-acid battery hazards, selecting compatible chargers and coordinating emergency procedures with fire departments.
The association said differences among battery chemistries can create risks when facilities apply the same practices across mixed fleets. The instruction will supplement existing forklift operator training.
Battery manufacturers will contribute technical expertise through an association subcommittee. A four-hour pilot involving 20 workers and employers will test the materials at a facility using lithium-ion batteries or multiple battery types.
About the Author
Chelsey Arries is assistant editor for Security Today, Campus Security Today, Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Protection Online.