PSS welcomes new EV safety induction course for port staff

PSS has welcomed the launch of a new port-specific online course to aid understanding around Electric Vehicle (EV) and lithium-ion batteries.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Safety Induction for Port Staff has been developed by PSS member VIRSEC Ltd, in collaboration with PSS and uses information from the recently published Safety in Ports guidance, SiP023: Lithium-ion batteries.

Cathy Wallwork from Virsec said: “As electric vehicles and other lithium-ion battery-powered equipment are become increasingly commonplace across the port industry, ensuring that the workforce understands the associated risks is an important part of maintaining safe operations.

“Electric vehicles introduce new technologies and hazards into the port environment, particularly around high-voltage systems and batteries. While specialist personnel may require detailed technical training, everyone working around EVs needs a basic understanding of the potential risks and their role in maintaining a safe working environment.”

The new VIRSEC course has been designed specifically for frontline port staff in an online interactive format, so that operation staff can fit learning into their working day. It provides an accessible introduction to EV safety, helping people understand the potential hazards associated with electric vehicles and batteries, how to recognise risks and what they should do if an incident occurs. The course is not intended to make staff EV technicians, but to give everyone working around EVs the awareness they need to contribute to a safe working environment.

Welcoming the new course, PSS CEO, Debbie Cavaldoro, said: “SiP023: Lithium-ion batteries, highlights the importance of information, instruction and training in managing the risks associated with this developing technology. This new course from VIRSEC, provides a practical approach to delivering this training, and helps to fill a gap in awareness that not being met elsewhere.

“As EVs and other lithium-ion powered equipment become increasingly commonplace across the port industry, it is important that everyone working around them understands the potential hazards and their role in managing them. Building this awareness across the workforce is an important part of developing a strong safety culture and keeping pace with the changing risks in our industry.”

VIRSEC Ltd is offering a discount to any PSS members looking to enroll themselves or their employees on this new course. For more information or to register visit: https://virsec.org/courses/electric-vehicle-ev-safety-port-staff/.