Lafayette, Colo. – August 3, 2022 – Today, KPA released a new compliance training course to raise general awareness about electric vehicle (EV) safety. The 15-minute course discusses critical information required to work safely on and around electric vehicles, including types of EVs, hazards, maintenance processes, and emergency response measures. It is a part of several new EV-focused resources and services provided by KPA to help clients maintain a safe and productive workplace.

“With growing demand, dealers, collision centers, certain truck facilities, recreational vehicle shops, and all other auto-service businesses need to understand both the new hazards introduced by EVs and the relevant regulations associated with servicing these types of vehicles,” said Shawn Smith, KPA’s Product Director for Training. “This course is the first part of KPA’s EV compliance solution that will help businesses prepare their facilities and staff to work with and around electric vehicles.”

More EV Sales Leads to A Need for Service Employee Safety When Handling Electric Vehicles

In the first three months of 2022, electric vehicle registrations increased 60 percent even as the overall market was down 18 percent. With this growing demand, dealers and their employees need to understand the new hazards introduced by EVs and the relevant OSHA, DOT, and EPA regulations. Employees need to know how to:

• Assess battery damage and how to respond if there is any
• Take precautions to prevent electrical shock when servicing electric vehicles
• Safely conduct high-voltage service work
• Safely store and handle new, used, and damaged EV batteries
• Properly ship and receive EV batteries
• Prevent EV battery fires and respond in the event of a fire or emergency

In addition to addressing general awareness about EVs, KPA is developing a monthly series of self-directed training programs for supervisors to train their staff. Topics will range from EV battery hazards, including fire risks and proper storage, electrical hazards, personal protective equipment, de-energization, stranded energy, and more. These tools, along with on-site consulting and additional EV compliance content, will comprise KPA’s comprehensive EV Compliance Solution, available this fall.

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About KPA

KPA helps dealerships improve safety and stay compliant. Trusted by 10,000+ clients, including 8 of the top 10 automobile dealership groups, KPA offers a unique combination of expert Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS), HR, and Sales F&I consulting, software, and training. KPA enables dealers to comply with state and federal regulations and proactively manage programs to reduce costs, minimize risk and increase productivity.