Quality Policy

David Horn Communications Ltd (the ‘Organisation’) aims to provide defect-free goods, services and equipment to its customers on time and within budget.

The Organization operates a Quality Management System that has gained BS EN ISO 9001: 2015 certification including all aspects specific to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and Home Office Codes of Practice.

The management is committed to:

  • Develop and continue to improve its Quality Management System
  • Continually improve the effectiveness of the Quality Management System
  • The enhancement of customer satisfaction.

The management has a continuing commitment to:

  • Ensure that customer needs and expectations are determined and fulfilled with the aim of achieving customer satisfaction
  • Communicate throughout the Organisation the importance of meeting customer needs and legal requirements
  • Establish the Quality Policy and its objectives
  • Conduct Management Reviews of the effectiveness of the implementation of the Quality Management System
  • Ensure the availability of resources.

The structure of the Quality Management System is defined within the Organisation’s Quality Manual.

All personnel understand the requirements of this Quality Policy and abide with all legislation specifically related to its business activities.

In addition to all English and EEC legislation and regulations, the Organisation complies with all legislation specifically related to its business activities.

The Organisation constantly monitors its quality performance and implements changes when appropriate.

The Quality Policy is regularly reviewed in order to ensure its continuing suitability.

Privacy Policy

This privacy policy sets out how David Horn Communications Limited (hereinafter called ‘DHC Ltd’) uses and protects any information that you give ‘DHC Ltd’ when you use this website.

‘DHC Ltd’ is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.

‘DHC Ltd’ may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. You should check this page from time to time to ensure that you are happy with any changes. This policy is effective from 19th March 2018.

What we collect

 We may collect the following information:

  • name and job title
  • contact information including email address
  • demographic information such as postcode, preferences and interests
  • other information relevant to customer surveys and/or offers

What we do with the information we gather

 We require this information to understand your needs and provide you with a better service, and in particular for the following reasons:

  • Internal record keeping.
  • We may use the information to improve our products and services.
  • We may periodically send promotional emails about new products, special offers or other information which we think you may find interesting using the email address which you have provided.
  • From time to time, we may also use your information to contact you for market research purposes. We may contact you by email, phone, fax or mail. We may use the information to customise the website according to your interests.

Security

 We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.

How we use cookies

 A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer’s hard drive. Once you agree, the file is added and the cookie helps analyse web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site. Cookies allow web applications to respond to you as an individual. The web application can tailor its operations to your needs, likes and dislikes by gathering and remembering information about your preferences.

We use traffic log cookies to identify which pages are being used. This helps us analyse data about webpage traffic and improve our website in order to tailor it to customer needs. We only use this information for statistical analysis purposes and then the data is removed from the system.

Overall, cookies help us provide you with a better website by enabling us to monitor which pages you find useful and which you do not. A cookie in no way gives us access to your computer or any information about you, other than the data you choose to share with us.

You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. This may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.

Links to other websites

 Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.

Controlling your personal information

 You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information in the following ways:

  • If you have previously agreed to us using your personal information for direct marketing purposes, you may change your mind at any time by entering your email address, clicking unsubscribe and the submit button on our ‘Contact Us’ page. You can also write to us at the address below or email us at sales@dhcltd.co.uk
  • If you choose to join our email newsletter, the email address that you submit to us will be forwarded to MailChimp who provide us with email marketing services. Your email address will remain within MailChimp’s database for as long as we continue to use MailChimp’s services for email marketing or until you specifically request removal from the list. You can do this by unsubscribing using the unsubscribe links contained in any email newsletters that we send you or by requesting removal via email. When requesting removal via email, please send your email to us using the email account that is subscribed to the mailing list.
  • We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so. We may use your personal information to send you promotional information about third parties which we think you may find interesting if you tell us that you wish this to happen.

You may request details of personal information which we hold about you. A small fee will be payable. If you would like a copy of the information held on you, please write to David Horn Communications Ltd, Comtec House, Bramingham Business Park, Enterprise Way, Luton, Bedfordshire. LU3 4BU United Kingdom.

If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please write to or email us as soon as possible at the above address. We will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect.

Employment Policy

David Horn Communications Ltd (the ‘Organisation’) is, and has always been, committed to the goals of equal opportunity and affirmative action in employment.  It aims to provide a working environment for staff that fosters fairness, equity, and respect for social and cultural diversity, and is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.

It is the Organisation’s declared policy to:

  • Foster a tolerant culture which values and responds to the diversity of its staff
  • Provide equal opportunity to staff and potential employees by removing barriers to participation and progression in employment so that all have the opportunity to fully contribute.
  • These barriers include, but are not limited to:  disability (physical, sensory, intellectual, and psychiatric); medical record, race (colour, ethnic or national origin); age; sex; homosexuality; marital status; and political or religious affiliation, views and beliefs except where these views conflict with the sometimes highly confidential nature of the Organisation’s business
  • Provide understanding and where reasonably practical install all necessary facilities for disabled staff
  • Promote clear and accountable management policies and practices to engender trust between managers and staff
  • Encourage and support staff in career progression through further education and training (internal and external) along with performance assessments and reviews
  • Ensure that its staff are aware of their rights and responsibilities.

This policy is communicated to all employees, to suppliers and sub-contractors where applicable or whenever requested and is also available to the public.

Environmental Policy

David Horn Communications Ltd (the ‘Organisation’) recognises the importance of environmental protection and is committed to operating its business responsibly and in compliance with all environmental regulations, legislation, and approved codes of practice relating to the electronics industry and the Organisation’s activities. It is the Organisation’s objective to operate with, and to maintain, good relations with all regulatory bodies and to meet European Directives on RoSHH and WEEE.

It is the Organisation’s declared policy to carry out all measures reasonably practicable to meet, exceed or develop all necessary or desirable requirements and to continually improve environmental performance through the implementation of the following:

  • Assessing and regularly re-assessing the environmental effects of the Organisation’s activities
  • Continuing to implement the Local Authority’s environmental recycling plan
  • Training of employees in environmental issues
  • Minimizing the production of waste
  • Minimizing material wastage
  • Promoting the use of recyclable and renewable materials
  • Re-using all packaging materials
  • Recycling equipment and materials appropriately that are returned to our premises at end-of-life in accordance with all waste directives
  • Minimizing energy wastage
  • Reducing or eliminating the production of pollutants to water, land and air – Using lead-free solder in all manufacturing – Controlling noise emissions from operations
  • Minimising the risk to employees and the general public from operations and activities undertaken by the Organisation.

Sustainable Procurement Policy

Introduction

David Horn Communications Ltd (DHC) recognises that it has an implicit role in furthering sustainable development, not only through its own manufacturing processes but through its procurement of equipment, goods and services. The Company spends in excess of £1m per annum on the purchase of mechanical and electronic components and is aware of the potential impact this spend has on the global environment.  Where possible goods are sourced from either within the United Kingdom or the wider European Community where compatible environmental standards exist and are enforced.  The Company endeavours to integrate sustainability, environmental and social issues into its procurement process.  This policy outlines the approach that is taken in order to ensure that natural resources are used prudently and that there is effective protection of the environment whilst ensuring delivery of value-for-money products to the UK Police and Governmental customers.

Key Policy Statement

The Company embeds the principles of sustainability throughout its procurement activities ensuring only cost-effective components are selected that are as far as is practically possible a balanced consideration of economic, social, ethical and environmental issues.

Aim of the Policy

The aim of the policy is to ensure that DHC employees, contractors and suppliers are aware of the Company’s commitment to long-term sustainability. The Company will strive to help protect and enhance the environment creating better lives, well-being and opportunities through its procurement processes. It is committed to a procurement management system that ultimately delivers best value products underpinned by environmental and socially responsible behaviour.

Key Objectives

David Horn Communications Limited aims to achieve this by:

  • Taking into account the need to minimise emissions
  • Taking steps to minimise carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions through the detailed consideration of products and services procured
  • Considering the environmental performance where possible of all suppliers and contractors, and encouraging them to conduct their operations in an environmentally sensitive manner
  • Maximising the use of recycled products and products derived from reclaimed materials
  • Considering a basic life cycle analysis of products to minimise the adverse effects on the environment resulting directly or indirectly from products procured
  • Selecting products having minimal effect on the depletion of natural resources and biodiversity
  • Working effectively with other UK-based industries and maximising the opportunity for other local small and medium sized enterprises to manufacture and supply goods and components reducing the  negative impacts of transportation
  • Complying with all UK and EU statutory regulations and legislation and ensuring our suppliers do the same
  • Training all procurement staff on sustainability considerations within the Policy and Strategy
  • Communicating the policy to all staff and suppliers.

Continual Improvement

Continued delivery of the Sustainable Procurement Policy is to be maintained by regular reviews of its effectiveness by way of the Company’s ISO: 9001 auditing process. Staff training, particularly for those directly concerned with procurement, is to be regularly reviewed.  Best practice is also to be appraised for continued suitability as products evolve and new suppliers are acquired. The effectiveness of this approach will be measured and formally reported upon annually.

This policy is communicated to all employees, to suppliers and sub-contractors where applicable or whenever requested and is also available to the public.

Health & Safety Policy

As a responsible employer David Horn Communications Ltd (the ‘Organisation’) recognises and accepts its duty in law to ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, a safe and healthy working environment is maintained for its employees, sub-contractors and visitors.

In general the Organisation will endeavour to:

  • Make the workplace safe and without risks to health – Ensure plant and machinery are safe and that safe systems of work are set and followed
  • Ensure that articles and substances are moved and stored safely
  • Provide adequate welfare facilities
  • Give instruction, training and supervision as necessary for health and safety.

The Organisation will:

  • Formally assess risks to safety and make arrangements for implementing health and safety measures identified as being necessary by the assessment
  • Continue to employee a manager competent to implement and maintain health and safety responsibilities together with an employees’ representative. In addition it will continue to engage the services of an independent Health & Safety advisory body to regularly audit the Organisation and assist, where necessary, in maintaining a safe environment
  • Provide adequate first-aid facilities, equipment and fully qualified First-Aid at Work personnel – Report certain injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences (under RIDDOR) to the appropriate enforcing authority
  • Ensure that the workplace satisfies health, safety and welfare requirements (ventilation, temperature, lighting ; and sanitary, washing and rest facilities).
  • Ensure that work equipment is suitable for its intended use and is properly maintained and used
  • Take precautions against danger from inflammable or explosive hazards, electrical equipment, noise and radiation
  • Avoid hazardous manual handling operations or when unavoidable minimise risk
  • Provide all necessary protective clothing where risks are not controlled by other means
  • Ensure that all appropriate warning signs (including those necessary for fire safety) are provided and maintained
  • Provide all necessary and appropriate fire extinguishers as recommended by fire safety consultants/local fire brigade and ensure they are regularly maintained.

This policy is communicated to all employees, to suppliers and sub-contractors where applicable or whenever requested and is also available to the public.

Summary of Company Health & Safety Policy Booklet – issued to all employees