Good morning all,

I have worked in H+S after moving from scientific background and I am applying for a job that requires me to give a presentation (this is 2nd stage interview).  The topic I have been given is lithium ion batteries - 1) Discuss how they work in laymans terms 2) what are the safety controls (risk assessment) required for a research lab working with lithium-ion cells/batteries.

My confusion comes from the second part.  I have no prior knowledge to their specific processes or at what stage of testing these batteries find themselves in (confidential information).  

Since these batteries have several different chemical make ups and assembly procedures do I just pick the most common type and discuss the potential risks at all stages of development? (small cells to large batteries)

It is my first time giving an interview presentation and the vagueness of it all makes me uneasy :D

Thanks for any help and all the best

But that is almost the exact problem.  Without knowing specific processes or chemical make ups how can one perform a CoSHH assessment and/or process risk assessment.

Hence me asking if it would be in my interest to pick a popular lithium battery and assume they make that just to demonstrate my ability.

Do you know that they are actually making the batteries?  Have you done enough research on the organisation to find out what they do?  Is there a contact who without directly helping you with the presentation might tell you what their processes are?

I feel the point is being missed.   I'll try and break it down.  

Someone asks for a presentation on the risks of developing a box with an animal inside.  How can you give a risk assessment without knowing how they made the box, what the box is made of, or what animal is inside?  As all of this information is classified.

Originally Posted by: ShaneMcD

I feel the point is being missed.   I'll try and break it down.  

Someone asks for a presentation on the risks of developing a box with an animal inside.  How can you give a risk assessment without knowing how they made the box, what the box is made of, or what animal is inside?  As all of this information is classified.

Having recently gone through something similar sounding, it may be that the Company in question actually isn't that concerned.

Experience has shown me they are more likely to be looking at the method behind your findings, and how you present them.

I could be way off the mark, but i'd pick the worst case scenario and work to that.

Either way, good luck with the interview.

This might not help but.....

We use Li batteries, 100's of Kg of them, mainly primary cells but we are moving to secondary too in labs and in "field".  if it were me asking the question what I would like to know is how would you manage storeage, handling, charging, disposal, testing and emergency proceedures if they go on fire and how to clean up the mess.  These things produce nasty gases when on fire, you cant stop the fire either, primarys are more volitle that secondarys, sometimes they vent with no sign of damage.

I understand they have different chemistry and energy density etc, you have to be careful about over charging and discharging.....etc so who would you assess and manage the risks is that not what they are asking?  they are asking for laymans terms for "how they work" so I am not sure they are looking for war and peace on all the different cell types and chemistry I would be wanting to know you understand how to do a risk assessment and present sensible control measures.

Also consider the tranportation and disposal issues - these are classified as Dangerous Goods for shipment, banned from most air freight and even UK post has restrictions.