Home› Battery & Cordless Power Tool Risk Assessment
Battery & Cordless Power Tool Risk Assessment — Generated Instantly for £29
Describe the tools, tasks and site — battery drills, saws, chargers, 110v equipment. We generate a fully written, UK-compliant risk assessment covering lithium battery fire risk, charging safety and PUWER 1998 compliance in minutes.
Used by joiners, fire door installers, maintenance teams and contractors across the UK
🔋 Using a mix of 110v and battery cordless tools on site? Mention both — we'll include electrical safety controls for the 110v equipment alongside lithium battery fire and charging controls for the cordless kit.
Legal requirements for battery and cordless power tools
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) apply to all work equipment, including battery-powered and cordless tools, regardless of whether they are mains, 110v or battery operated. Employers and self-employed workers must ensure equipment is suitable for the task, properly maintained, fitted with the correct guards, and that operators are trained to use it safely.
Under Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must assess risks specific to the equipment and task in use. Cordless tools introduce risks that a generic power tool assessment may miss — most notably lithium-ion battery fire and thermal runaway, and safe charging and storage practices.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires employers to assess and control fire risks on premises, which includes the storage and charging of lithium-ion batteries away from combustible materials and using manufacturer-approved chargers. HSE data shows that damaged or poor-quality lithium-ion batteries are a growing cause of workplace fires, making this a genuine and increasingly common risk on construction and maintenance sites.
How it works
1. Describe the job
Tell us which battery and cordless tools you use, whether 110v equipment is also involved, where batteries are charged and stored, and the task — such as fire door installation, joinery or maintenance work.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant risk assessment referencing PUWER 1998, the Fire Safety Order 2005 and manual handling regulations where relevant.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and Word. Hand it to your client, keep it on file for site inspections, or attach it to your wider risk assessment documentation. £29, no subscription.
What it covers
Every battery and cordless power tool risk assessment is written in full — covering all hazards relevant to your tools and site.
Lithium-ion battery fire and thermal runaway risk
Safe battery charging — location, surfaces and ventilation
Battery storage — away from heat sources and combustibles
Overnight and unattended charging controls
Reduced hazard awareness without a trailing cable
Guarding and blade/bit contact risk under PUWER 1998
Manual handling of tool kits, batteries and chargers
Dust exposure from drilling and cutting (fire doors, timber, masonry)
Noise exposure from cordless drills, saws and impact drivers
Vibration exposure — HAVS risk from prolonged tool use
110v equipment safety where used alongside battery tools
PPE requirements — eye, hearing and hand protection
Damaged or counterfeit battery and charger risks
Safe use in occupied buildings and corridors during fire door work
Works for
From fire door installation to general joinery, Anyrisks covers every task using battery and cordless power tools.
What customers say
"We install fire doors using a mix of 110v and battery tools. Anyrisks covered the battery charging risks I'd never have thought to write down myself."
Dean W.
Fire door installer, Yorkshire
"Our lithium batteries get charged in the van overnight sometimes. This made me change how we do it — and gave me a proper document for our client's fire safety officer."
Rachel T.
Maintenance contractor, Bristol
"Simple, quick, and it actually understood the difference between our cordless kit and the 110v saw we use on the same job. Saved me writing two separate assessments."
Craig B.
Self-employed joiner, Glasgow
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| PUWER 1998 referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| Lithium battery fire risk specifically addressed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Charging and storage controls included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers mixed 110v and battery tool use | ✓ | ✗ |
| Manual handling of kits and batteries included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Do battery and cordless power tools need a separate risk assessment?
Yes — cordless tools carry distinct risks not covered by a generic power tool assessment, including lithium-ion battery fire and thermal runaway, charging station hazards, and reduced hazard awareness because there is no trailing cable to signal the tool is live. Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires employers to assess risks specific to the equipment and task in use.
Are lithium-ion batteries a fire risk on site?
Yes — damaged, overcharged or poor-quality lithium-ion batteries can overheat and enter thermal runaway, which can cause fire or explosion. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires employers to assess and control fire risks, including safe storage, charging away from combustible materials, and using only manufacturer-approved chargers and batteries.
Do the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 apply to cordless tools?
Yes — PUWER 1998 applies to all work equipment, including battery-powered and cordless tools. Employers must ensure tools are suitable for the task, properly maintained, fitted with correct guards, and that operators are trained and competent to use them safely.
How does this apply to fire door installation work using 110v and battery tools?
Describe the job as fire door installation and mention that a mix of 110v mains and battery cordless tools will be used, and the assessment will cover both — including electrical safety for 110v equipment, battery charging and storage, dust from drilling into door leaves and frames, manual handling of doors, and controls specific to working in occupied buildings or corridors.
Does cordless tool use reduce the risk of guard interference?
Not necessarily — while cordless tools remove trip hazards from trailing cables, operators can become less cautious around a tool that has no visible power cable, sometimes leading to reduced guard awareness. The assessment includes a control addressing this behavioural risk alongside standard guarding requirements under PUWER 1998.
Is manual handling relevant for battery tool kits?
Yes — battery tool kits, spare batteries and multi-bay chargers add weight to tool bags and cases carried between sites. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 require an assessment of lifting and carrying risks, which is included where relevant to your job.
Does the assessment cover charging batteries on site or in a van?
Yes — mention where batteries will be charged (site cabin, van, client premises) and the assessment will include controls for charging on non-flammable surfaces, away from combustible materials, with adequate ventilation and away from unattended overnight charging where risk is elevated.
How long does it take to generate?
Under 2 minutes. Describe the tools, tasks and site conditions and Anyrisks produces a complete, regulation-referenced battery and cordless power tool risk assessment instantly.
Also see: The ultimate guide to risk assessment · Do I need a risk assessment? · Risk assessment legal requirements · Risk assessment generator