Hazards of electric and hybrid vehicles

A hybrid vehicle uses two sources of power automatically, an internal combustion engine running on diesel or petrol and a battery, and may use both at once.

Electric and hybrid vehicles add hazards to the workplace on top of those normally linked with the repair and maintenance of vehicles, roadside recovery and other vehicle-related activities. These include:

• pedestrians failing to notice quiet electric or hybrid vehicles, particularly at low speeds; some vehicles have warning sounds, but these do not remove the need for safe separation
• the availability and location of charging points
• high-voltage components and cabling that can deliver a fatal electric shock
• the storage of electrical energy, which can cause explosion or fire
• components that may keep a dangerous voltage even when the vehicle is switched off
• electric motors, or the vehicle itself, that may move unexpectedly because of magnetic forces within the motors
• manual handling risks when batteries are replaced
• the potential release of explosive gases and harmful liquids if batteries are damaged or wrongly modified
• the potential for the vehicle's electrical systems to affect medical devices such as pacemakers

Further Reading

• Ambient factors in the workplace, ILO Code of Practice
• Safe work in confined spaces: Confined Spaces Regulations 1997, ACoP and guidance (L101)
• Directive 89/656/EEC on the use of personal protective equipment
• Driving at work: managing work-related road safety (INDG382)
• Drug misuse at work: a guide for employers (INDG91)
• Graphical symbols: registered safety signs (ISO 7010:2011)
• Health and safety in construction (HSG150), third edition
• ILO Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1964 (C120), and Recommendation R120
• ILO Safety and Health in Construction Convention (C167) and Recommendation (R175)
• ILO Welfare Facilities Recommendation, 1956 (R102)
• ILO Hours of Work and Rest Periods (Road Transport) Convention, 1979 (C153), and Recommendation R161
• Lighting at work (HSG38), second edition, 1997
• Management of alcohol and drug related issues in the workplace, ILO Code of Practice, 1999
• Managing health and safety in construction: Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, ACoP (L144)
• Personal protective equipment at work, second edition, HSE
• Preventing falls from boom-type mobile elevating work platforms (HSE information sheet MISC614)
• Safety and health in construction, ILO Code of Practice
• Seating at work (HSG57), third edition, 2002
• Safe use of work equipment, ACoP and guidance (L22), current HSE edition
• The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, guidance on Regulations (L64), second edition, 2009
• The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (as amended): a brief guide (INDG401)
• The health and safety toolbox: how to control risks at work (HSG268)
• The safe use of vehicles on construction sites (HSG144)
• Understanding ergonomics at work (INDG90)
• Violence at work: a guide for employers (INDG69)
• Workplace transport safety: guidance for employers (HSG136)
• Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, ACoP (L24)

Summary notes for Element 8 · Cheat sheet · Glossary. A study aid, not published or endorsed by NEBOSH.