Danger of using hoverboards in the office
More and more IT managers are encountering requests from employees and superiors interested in using hoverboards within the office for quick and convenient transportation. It has become a very common trend due to its fashionable nature and the practicality it offers to those who need to move quickly between different rooms in the workplace. But is it safe to use these vehicles in the office? Recent news from the United States confirms that it is not, and that companies should exercise extreme caution regarding the potential risks associated with using this mode of transport.
A trap that should be discouraged
After numerous incidents were reported both in the corporate sector and outside of it, authorities were quick to comment. The North American Safety Commission stated that hoverboards " pose a reasonable fire risk " if they do not meet the safety standards required for this type of transportation. The problem is that, according to the US government, there are currently no hoverboards on the market that meet these standards. This presents a significant obstacle for companies that had introduced them as a way for employees to move around the office easily and quickly.
What happens if one of our company's employees uses one of these hoverboards? It's a risk, and as those responsible for the technology used in the company, we need to be aware of it . The last thing we want is for an incident to occur, for the device to catch fire and cause any damage, whether material or human. While it's not a certainty that the hoverboard could catch fire, there is a possibility. Therefore, it's best to avoid putting ourselves in risky situations. In the United States, these vehicles are being recalled, and those who have purchased them will even be asked to return them, in order to prevent incidents.
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A very fashionable danger
Hoverboards, which have a balancing system that allows users to move above the ground at high speed, began to gain popularity when celebrities used them in public. Sales skyrocketed as artists like Justin Bieber were seen using them. Within the company, their popularity didn't stem from the influence of these celebrities, but rather from the desire for executives to have a more eye-catching and simple way to get around their offices. However, incidents soon occurred, with some of these vehicles catching fire and even some batteries exploding, resulting in very negative experiences for the users who had placed their trust in them.
In recent times, millions of dollars in damages have been attributed to incidents caused by fires originating from hoverboards. The discussion in the United States isn't about banning these vehicles simply for the sake of banning them, but rather about finding ways to ensure they meet the necessary safety standards for use in businesses. The plan is to begin testing new models soon that meet these requirements and can be approved for office use.
Meanwhile, security authorities recommend that companies consider the risks associated with using these personal transportation vehicles. Instead, they recommend relying on other alternatives. For example, in recent years, a new generation of executives has adopted the use of bicycles in the office, at least in larger-than-average spaces that benefit from more immediate commutes. This is something that can still be relied upon for the time being, given that hoverboards are still far from achieving a level of acceptance that would allow them to be present in companies worldwide without posing a security risk.
