DOT Shipping Lithium Batteries

Governing regulations

Students joining this course are trained for safe handling, packing and shipping of lithium and lithium-ion batteries following the rules and regulations put forth by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT). Different safety standards have been formulated for ground, air and vessel transport, respectively. 49 CFR 173.185 was originally documented by PHMSA to regulate shipping by land, air, or water in the United States. The legislation includes specific standards designed to remove mishandling and poor packaging of lithium batteries.

Course Overview

Lithium batteries are being extensively used by us in our cell phones, laptops, digital pacemakers, cameras, and much more. They are hugely popular because of their longer life span compared to standard alkaline batteries. While lithium batteries can make an easy power source for our electronic gadgets, it can pose a serious health and environmental hazard or life threat due to various reasons. So, it is important to understand and analyse risk factors involved in handling, using and transportation of lithium batteries. Having a thorough understanding of DOT standards will help minimize the associated risks involving shipping of lithium batteries.

Who Must Take this Course?

This course is made to help learners get better understanding of the standard rules and safe practices which are in place while transporting lithium batteries. Having good understanding of DOT standards for such processes will help reduce the associated hazards. Also, experience in using controls to reduce the risks linked to shipping of lithium batteries such as prescribed packing standards, will also aid safe work and travel environment. More so, following all relevant rules and regulations, such as record keeping, monitoring and reporting, will help safer transportation of hazardous materials such as lithium batteries.

Course Format

Our DOT Shipping Lithium Batteries course consists of study material, audios, graphics, self-assessment questions, and a final exam.

Continuing education credits?

Students will receive 0.2 CEUs (or 2 CMEs) on completion of the course.

Topics Covered