More power to protect, in EV battery manufacturing

Health and safety risks are inevitable in industry. As new industries, technologies and manufacturing techniques arise, so do brand-new risks. The manufacture of lithium-ion batteries for EVs creates a particularly challenging combination of an aggressive environment and a new set of risks.

Ansell have pioneered hand and body protection solutions for decades, so are naturally at the forefront in offering effective solutions to keep employees safe in this changing manufacturing landscape.

Step-by-step protection

The production of lithium-ion batteries can be broadly broken down into five steps:

1. Electrode manufacturing
2. Cell assembly
3. Cell finishing
4. Battery module assembly
5. Packaging and transportation

At each stage, different hazards require different categories of protection. For example, there’s painful and potentially debilitating hand fatigue when handling materials and tools for placing cells. Or potentially fatal electric shock, when working with high-voltage components and wiring.

So at various stages of production, workers will require protection from abrasion, cuts and chemicals. ATEX, thermal and welding protection will also be needed at certain times. And protection can work both ways.

So during cell assembly, battery module assembly and cell finishing – conducted in cleanroom environments – employees need PPE to protect the product itself from contamination.

But even in this relatively new industry, some stages haven’t changed. Unloading and unpacking raw materials, and loading and transporting finished products, means – as always – risk of crush and pinch injuries and other material handling-related harms. These also need to be prepared for and protected against.

Protection at your fingertips

One type of protection won’t resolve all risks involved in lithium-ion battery production. Which is why Ansell produces a range of protective gloves and body protection equipment.

With Ansell’s expert guidance you can choose the right equipment for the particular challenges of every manufacturing stage, and give your employees the best possible protection at all times.
 

Chemical hand protection

Protect against exposure to chemicals during loading, mixing and coating, for example, with a selection of AlphaTec® gloves for use during electrode manufacturing and battery module assembly.
 

Cut protection

Cuts and lacerations are an issue when, for example, changing blades during electrode manufacturing. The HyFlex® 11-754/755/757 provides the hand protection needed, including for battery module assembly and battery packing and transportation.
 

Abrasion protection

Protection from abrasion is often necessary during battery module assembly, battery packing and transportation. The HyFlex® 11-561 provides up to 20% more abrasion resistance with improved FORTIX™ Technology.
 

Single-use protection

Various ‘one-off’ hazards arise during the manufacturing process, requiring a single-use disposable glove for quick and easy donning and disposal. Ansell offers a choice of TouchNTuff® gloves – for chemical splash protection or clean room environments, for example – and MICROFLEX® glove options, to meet all needs.
 

Electrical protection

Essential during electrode manufacturing, cell assembly and battery module assembly, effective electrical protection is offered by the ActivArmr® Rubber Insulated Gloves portfolio.
 

Chemical body protection

At some point in all the lithium-ion battery production processes, full-body chemical protection will be required – and Ansell currently offers four different PPE outfits in the AlphaTec® range. In addition, the BioClean™ 2000 Model 111 will soon be added to the range.
 

If you want to power-up the PPE for your own lithium-ion battery production line, talk to your usual ERIKS contact about Ansell solutions.
 

For more information, contact your local ERIKS Service Centre, who will be happy to discuss your options.

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