IBEW Local 1245 will participate in an advisory committee on storage batteries to be convened by the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board staff.
The advisory committee will consider proposed amendments to Sections 5184 and 5185 of the Title 8 General Industry Safety Orders entitled Storage Battery Systems (new section title) and Changing and Charging Storage Batteries, respectively. Cal-OSHA storage battery regulations have not been updated since the 1980s and do not adequately address current battery technology best practices.
The committee will discuss the need for, and feasibility of, standards governing the safe handling, maintenance, and use of storage batteries and battery systems. Industry best practices and stakeholder input will be gathered to update the current regulation.