With the growing demand for portable power sources in devices ranging from cellphones and laptops to medical equipment and cordless tools, understanding lithium battery safety is more important than ever.
This is the perfect online training program for general shipping staff, operations personnel and other workers who occasionally handle or ship lithium batteries and low-powered, battery-driven devices. This regulatory primer will help you understand what is allowed and what you should avoid under federal hazardous materials regulations (HMR). Master the essentials for safer, more compliant electronics shipments in as little as an hour.
Lithium Battery Awareness Training Course Details
Satisfies Training Standards for:
Basic DOT 49 CFR, IATA, IMDG Battery Shipment Rules
Designed for:
Workers Who Ship Lithium Batteries or Battery-Powered Devices
Format:
100% online course
Provides:
Digital Certificate of Completion
Benefits of Online Education
Build a solid foundation in lithium battery fundamentals to reduce risks and improve your transportation compliance.
This flexible online training offers targeted benefits for staff with limited exposure to lithium battery hazards, including:
- 100% Online Lessons — Everything You Need, Nothing You Don't
- High-Level Overview of Lithium Battery Hazards and Applicable Exceptions
- Instantly Downloadable Digital Certificate
- Practical, Safety-First Education Designed to Protect You and Others
- Access to the User-Friendly Fusion Learning Management System (LMS)
- Bulk Discount Pricing
Who Needs This Course?
This high-level safety primer is designed for professionals in any industry who transport lithium batteries or battery-powered products — including electronics manufacturing, e-commerce and fulfillment, transportation and logistics and automotive operations.
This course was created especially for non-HAZMAT specialist shipping employees and general staff who occasionally ship or handle lithium batteries, including:
- Warehouse associates
- Shipping clerks
- HR and IT specialists
- Sales associates
- Operations staff
- Facilities personnel
- And more
This course applies to the following types of lithium-based power cells:
- Low-power batteries (for laptops, cellphones, small tools and similar devices)
- Batteries contained in equipment or shipped under applicable exceptions
- Limited quantities and common consumer devices
Learning Objectives
By the time you finish this regulatory awareness course, you will be able to:
- Describe lithium battery construction, function and common applications.
- Explain lithium cell and battery safety, handling, storage and regulatory requirements.
- Explain how to protect cells and batteries from short circuits or damage during transport.
- Describe how to distinguish between fully regulated and excepted shipments across transport modes — ground (49 CFR), air (IATA) and ocean (IMDG).
- Describe how to select appropriate packaging.
- Identify required label elements.
- Apply the correct lithium cell or battery mark.
- Determine when additional documentation or handling labels are needed.
Testing Requirements
Throughout the course, you will be prompted to answer a knowledge check to help you master lesson materials.
All three lesson modules end with a short quiz. Quizzes contain five multiple-choice questions. You must answer at least four questions correctly to pass.
The course ends with a 20-question final exam. You must score at least 80% to pass the test. You have three chances to succeed.
If you do not pass after three attempts, you must start the course over and try again.
Course Outline
The full course outline is provided below.
Module 1: Introduction to Lithium Cells and Batteries
Topics covered in Module 1 include:
- Chemical, thermal and electrical risks
- Best practices for handling cells and batteries
- Lithium battery safety data sheets
- Proper storage practices
- Symptoms of lithium exposure
- Battery fire safety
Module 2: Classification of Lithium Cells and Batteries
Topics covered in Module 2 include:
- The fundamentals of cells and batteries
- The difference between lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries
- Determining lithium-gram content and watt-hour ratings
- The difference between batteries packed with and contained in equipment
- Low-power regulatory exceptions
- Other battery types
- UN 38.3 testing requirements
- Carrier coordination
Module 3: Adequate Packaging and Marking
Topics covered in Module 3 include:
- Defining adequate training
- Packaging, labeling and marking requirements
- The purpose of UN 38.3
- Shipping descriptions for ground, air and ocean
- Packaging to prevent potential hazards
- Primary regulatory bodies
- Marking and labeling for all transport modes
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are lithium batteries classified as dangerous goods (DGs)?
Lithium batteries are found in devices ranging from smartphones to electric vehicles. They power most modern electronics. But they contain dangerous chemicals, can spark deadly fires and may lead to severe damage or injuries.
Because of the potential dangers of these power cells, the federal government may impose fines of more than $100,000 for violations of hazardous materials transportation laws. A simple training course can protect you and your business from accidents, fines and legal liability.
Which hazardous materials transportation rules apply to battery shipments?
Multiple agencies and regulatory bodies around the world create and enforce HAZMAT transportation rules. The rules change depending on where and how you ship items containing lithium batteries, including:
- The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) — DOT rules apply to domestic shipments within the United States. Those rules are found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
- The International Air Transport Association (IATA) — IATA sets guidelines for sending batteries through air mail, especially for international shipments. The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) manual is the standard for regulated air freight.
- The International Maritime Organization (IMO) — IMO manages the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code on behalf of the United Nations. These regulations apply to lithium battery shipments traveling on maritime vessels, including overseas transit.
DOT 49 CFR regulations apply to most non-specialized battery shipments for U.S. customers and companies.
What can I do after I finish the course?
This course provides targeted, awareness-level training designed for workers who process low-risk orders or experience occasional exposure to regulated devices.
Sample job duties may include:
- Sending company laptops to employees
- Shipping small devices like thermostats, security cameras and dental equipment
- Processing low volumes of small batteries
- Working around equipment that uses lithium power cells
Your training delivers essential safety knowledge without overwhelming you with detailed international laws and regulatory information.
How long does it take to finish this course?
You can complete this training program in approximately one hour. Lessons provide you with the crucial skills you need to handle and ship regulated batteries and battery-powered devices.
What do I get when I finish the course?
Your Certificate of Completion will be available to download and print as soon as you finish all three lessons and pass the final exam.
Your certificate demonstrates that you understand the hazards and basic legal requirements associated with transporting lithium batteries and the devices that contain them.
How long is this training valid?
Your Certificate of Completion doesn't expire. However, you may take this course again periodically to refresh your knowledge of best practices and sharpen your compliance skills.
Does this course provide a certification?
This course provides a Certificate of Completion. It equips students to recognize lithium battery hazards, shipping exceptions and situations where regulated training is required. But it does not provide a formal license or certification.
Lithium battery shipping regulators, including DOT, IATA and IMO, do not endorse or approve any training programs for regulated power cells.
Should I take this course if I specialize in HAZMAT shipping or frequently ship lithium batteries?
This course is designed for professionals who only occasionally handle or ship regulated lithium cells and batteries, or devices that contain them. If you are a designated lithium battery shipper, a HAZMAT shipping specialist or a supervisor responsible for shipping compliance, you should enroll in our lithium battery compliance training course instead.
That comprehensive safety education teaches all IATA, DOT and IMDG Code standards for domestic and international battery shipments over six hours of in-depth instruction.
Can I use this to train all my team members?
Yes. This training is perfect for a diverse workforce spanning multiple sites and job functions. Managers can assign training and track progress with just a few clicks using our admin dashboard.
We offer bulk discounts, 100% online instruction, instant certificate downloads and renewal tracking across teams of any size.
Related Courses
- IATA DGR Training
- DOT HAZMAT Transportation: Basic General Awareness Training
- DOT HAZMAT Transportation: All-in-One Training
- OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER Training
- OSHA 24-Hour HAZWOPER Training
- OSHA 8-Hour HAZWOPER Annual Refresher Training