Outdoor Power Safety Standards

OPEI is an accredited Standards Development Organization by the American National Standards Institute, and a leader in educational services for the safe and proper operation of outdoor power equipment products across multiple power sources. OPEI/ANSI standards are maintained on a five-year. . OPEI is also ANSI-accredited to serve as the U.S. voice in international standards development through the ISO. These activities operate through. . Greg Knott, Senior Vice President, Standards & Regulatory Affairs Brandon Martin, Vice President, Battery and Electric Products & Industry Affairs Dan Mustico,. [pdf]

FAQS about Outdoor Power Safety Standards

What are OSHA safety standards?

The OSHA safety standards also note that workers must participate in implementing preventive measures, and know their workers’ rights, along with ensuring they protect themselves and don’t endanger others.

What outdoor power equipment can be used off-road?

Off-road ground-supported outdoor power equipment for which this standard may apply include walk-behind and riding lawnmowers, snow throwers, powered log-splitters, shredders/grinders and tillers.

What is a safe operating pressure?

Operating pressure. Safe operating pressures for hydraulic and pneumatic tools, hoses, valves, pipes, filters, and fittings may not be exceeded. Note to paragraph (d) (2): If any hazardous defects are present, no operating pressure is safe, and the hydraulic or pneumatic equipment involved may not be used.

Why should employers follow OSHA's lightning safety standards?

By following OSHA’s lightning safety standards, employers can protect outdoors workers from dangerous and unpredictable hazards in the workplace. Organizations can rely on weather monitoring platforms like Perry Weather to keep workers safe and ensure OSHA compliance.

Fire safety of energy storage equipment

Fire protection requirements for energy storage equipment include: compliance with national and local codes, installation of appropriate fire suppression systems, continuous monitoring for thermal runaway, and routine maintenance and inspection. [pdf]

Large-scale energy storage systems support safety

Challenges for any large energy storage system installation, use and maintenance include training in the area of battery fire safety which includes the need to understand basic battery chemistry, safety limits, maintenance, off-nominal behavior, fire and smoke characteristics, fire fighting techniques, stranded energy, de-energizing batteries for safety, and safely disposing battery after its life or after an incident. [pdf]

FAQS about Large-scale energy storage systems support safety

Are large-scale battery energy storage systems safe?

Large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), particularly those using lithium-ion batteries, present several safety concerns despite advancements in technology and regulation: Lithium-ion batteries are prone to thermal runaway —a self-sustaining chain reaction causing rapid overheating, fires, and potential explosions.

Can a large-scale solar battery energy storage system improve accident prevention and mitigation?

This work describes an improved risk assessment approach for analyzing safety designs in the battery energy storage system incorporated in large-scale solar to improve accident prevention and mitigation, via incorporating probabilistic event tree and systems theoretic analysis. The causal factors and mitigation measures are presented.

Are grid-scale battery energy storage systems safe?

Despite widely known hazards and safety design of grid-scale battery energy storage systems, there is a lack of established risk management schemes and models as compared to the chemical, aviation, nuclear and the petroleum industry.

Are battery energy storage systems safe?

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 28, 2025 — Today, the American Clean Power Association (ACP) released a comprehensive framework to ensure the safety of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in every community across the United States, informed by a new assessment of previous fire incidents at BESS facilities.

What are large-scale energy storage options?

This article explores large-scale energy storage options, notable lithium plant incidents, and how their benefits and risks compare to other technologies and fossil fuels. Lithium-ion batteries are the most widely used storage technology due to their high energy density, rapid response time, and declining costs.

What's new in energy storage safety?

Since the publication of the first Energy Storage Safety Strategic Plan in 2014, there have been introductions of new technologies, new use cases, and new codes, standards, regulations, and testing methods. Additionally, failures in deployed energy storage systems (ESS) have led to new emergency response best practices.