Businesses have been urged to update their fire, health and safety assessments as more electric vehicles enter the UK car park.
Training provider Park Lodge International has warned that everyone who comes into contact with an EV needs to be aware of the potential risks. This includes recovery agents, vehicle damage assessors, technicians and those working for the emergency services.
The company said, “Electric cars and vans are not going away so we need to be fully aware of the risks that they pose after a fire or accident. We have not faced arc flash, electrocution risks and serious toxic vapours from vehicles before and we must assess the impact. Training is good as long as it really looks into dealing with what we can be faced with. The fire and health and safety assessments need to take into account so much, from clothing to safeguard from arc flash to respiratory protection from carbon fibre and toxic residues.”
It has further warned of the growing danger from retro fit vehicles, and said first responders and repairers need to know what they are dealing with before handling EVs.
Park Lodge International delivers fire risk assessments, IMI certified AFV post accident courses, vehicle fire investigation, car park fire safety, and EV awareness training.
