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Page 12

Recyclers News Press

Battery “Dangerous Goods” Regulation

Update HazMat Training to Ship Li Ion Hybrid Batteries

A Hazardous Material (HazMat) means a material,

determined by the Department of Transportation,

capable of posing a risk to health, safety and prop-

erty when transported. HazMat includes hazardous

substances, dangerous goods, hazardous waste,

and elevated temperature materials.

Of all the shippers' responsibilities, the requirement

to properly classify a hazardous material is very

important. It is from the proper identification of the

hazardous materials that the other requirements are

based. For automotive recyclers training and certifi-

cation, the hazardous materials are:

Airbag Inflators:

Consisting of a cast-

ing containing an igniter, a booster materi-

al and a gas generate.

Airbag Module:

Consisting of the airbag inflator plus air-

bag assembly.

Seat belt pre-tensioner:

Contains similar hazardous materials and

is used in the operation of a seat belt re-

straining system in a motor vehicle.

Lithium-ion Batteries:

All types of lithi-

um batteries were recently designated as

“Dangerous Goods” with shipping restrictions.

Automotive large format batteries for electric and

hybrid vehicles will be either Nickel Metal Hydride

or Lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries have higher energy densities

than lead-acid batteries or nickel-metal hydride bat-

teries. Having a high energy density means that the

battery can store more electricity in the same size

cell. It follows, then, that with the same amount of

electricity it is possible to make the battery smaller.

This is why the lithium-ion battery is ideal for being a

battery on an

electric vehicle,

since it is com-

pact and light-

weight. A bat-

tery with high

capacity is in-

dispensable for

improving ac-

celeration and

fuel efficiency

for hybrid vehi-

cles.

The hybrid Li-ion battery delivers twice the power

compared to similarly sized conventional cells. As

the output of the battery increases, so too does the

acceleration. It also more efficiently stores energy

during deceleration, further improving fuel efficiency.

Most Lithium batteries are considered hazardous

materials (also called dangerous goods,) and are

subject to regulations issued by the DOT and Inter-

national Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The

DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Ad-

ministration (PHMSA) works to ensure the safe

transportation of hazardous materials – including

batteries – shipped by highway, rail, water, or air.

The regulations pertaining to the

transportation of lithium batteries

have changed recently. The new

regulations also apply to cells and

batteries that are packed with or

contained in equipment.

Shippers of larger cells and batter-

ies must comply with specific labeling, marking,

packaging, shipping paper, and employee training

requirements as is the case in HazMat shipping of

airbag for recyclers.

The DOT HazMat regulations prohibit the transport

of lithium metal batteries on passenger-carrying air-

craft and requires specific markings on packaging

that contain small, consumer-type lithium metal bat-

teries thus the reason why you cannot put lithium

batteries in checked luggage. A “cargo aircraft only”

label must be placed on packaging containing larger

cells and batteries that are shipped as hazardous

materials. For more information visit the web site at

http://hazmat.dot.gov .

HazMat must be prepared for shipment in a very

specific manner. HazMat shipping papers provide

information on shipper/receiver name and address,

HazMat description, DOT proper shipping name,

quantity, emergency response information and certi-

fication and signature. If you ship or deliver HazMat

in your own vehicle, such your own pick-up truck or

delivery van, then you must comply 100% with

these regulations. Under this scenario no placards

are required on the vehicle.

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