Hazards of Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Hydrogen fuel cells use combustion to produce electricity, and electricity is generated as long as hydrogen fuel is supplied to the cell. As the hydrogen fuel cell industry continues to grow, workers may be exposed to several occupational hazards. Hydrogen gas has unique properties that require special safety considerations. For example, hydrogen can leak easily and ignite easily. The three main hazards associated with hydrogen fuel cells are fire and explosion hazards, freeze burn hazards, and electrical hazards.

As with any fuel, safe handling depends on knowledge of hydrogen's particular physical, chemical, and thermal properties and consideration of safe ways to accommodate those properties. Hydrogen, handled with this knowledge, is a safe fuel. When fuel cells are installed or produced at a workplace, employers are required to comply with U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements. These requirements ensure that the workplace is as safe for the workers as possible. OSHA requirements for the hydrogen fuel cell industry can be found in 29 CFR 1910.103.

To learn more about Hydrogen Fuel Cell Safety visit our Hydrogen Fuel Cell Safety Online Training web page.