BATTERY SAFETY & HANDLING
Operational safety principles for the handling, movement, loading, transport and management of lithium-ion batteries used within DVM mobility operations.
Operational safety framework · September 2026
HANDLE WITH CARE. ESCALATE ABNORMAL CONDITIONS.
Battery operations require controlled handling, suitable transport arrangements and clear escalation procedures. Batteries showing abnormal heat, damage, swelling, leakage or other warning signs should not continue through normal operational handling.
Controlled field handling
Loading and load restraint
Identify abnormal batteries
Follow approved procedures
01. PURPOSE & SCOPE
This page describes the general battery safety principles supporting DVM Mobility Operations, including activities involving removable battery packs used within shared mobility services.
Depending on the operation, activities may include battery collection, battery swaps, movement between operational locations, vehicle loading and unloading, hub handling and associated storage or charging.
Removal and replacement of operational battery packs during mobility activity.
Controlled movement of batteries between vehicles, hubs and operational locations.
Safe loading, segregation, packaging and restraint appropriate to the operation.
Battery receipt, handling, temporary storage and charging where applicable.
02. BATTERY CONDITION CHECKS
Personnel handling batteries should remain alert for visible or other obvious signs that a battery may be damaged, defective or behaving abnormally.
Cracks, dents, punctures, crushed areas or damaged casing.
Bulging, expansion or visible distortion of the battery enclosure.
Unexpected or excessive heat compared with normal operation.
Visible liquid, residue or evidence of material escaping from the pack.
Smoke, vapour or other abnormal emissions.
Unusual hissing, cracking or abnormal smell associated with the battery.
03. NORMAL BATTERY HANDLING
Batteries accepted for normal operational handling should be moved carefully and in a way that reduces the risk of physical damage, short circuit or uncontrolled movement.
Check for obvious abnormal condition before routine handling.
Use the intended handling points and appropriate manual handling technique.
Avoid dropping, crushing, puncturing or exposing the battery to impact.
Place batteries in the approved operational container or designated location.
Prevent uncontrolled movement during transport or vehicle operation.
04. MANUAL HANDLING
Battery handling can involve repeated lifting and carrying. The manual handling risk should therefore form part of the relevant task assessment.
Consider the weight and physical dimensions of the battery before lifting.
Consider repeated battery swaps and cumulative manual handling demands.
Check walking routes and avoid unnecessary obstructions or unstable surfaces.
Use appropriate assistance or mechanical aids where identified by risk assessment.
05. VEHICLE LOADING & TRANSPORT
Batteries carried within operational vehicles should be arranged so that they remain stable and appropriately secured during normal driving, braking, cornering and other foreseeable vehicle movements.
The vehicle and load space should be suitable for the intended load and operation.
Batteries and containers should be arranged to reduce movement during transport.
Approved restraint, containers or securing arrangements should be used where required.
Loading arrangements should allow safe loading and unloading without unnecessary risk.
Lithium batteries may be subject to dangerous goods transport requirements. The applicable classification, packaging, documentation, quantity limits, exemptions and other controls depend on the batteries and the specific transport activity.
06. STORAGE & SEGREGATION
Where batteries are temporarily held within a DVM operational location, storage arrangements should minimise the risk of physical damage, overheating, short circuit and interaction with incompatible materials.
Batteries should be kept within the approved operational storage area.
Avoid unnecessary exposure to water, excessive heat and direct heat sources.
Storage arrangements should protect batteries from impact, crushing and uncontrolled movement.
Batteries identified as abnormal should not remain within normal operational stock.
07. CHARGING CONTROLS
Where battery charging takes place within DVM operations or operational hubs, charging should follow the approved equipment, manufacturer instructions and site-specific safety arrangements.
Use compatible and approved charging equipment intended for the battery.
A battery showing signs of damage or abnormal behaviour should not enter the normal charging process.
Charging locations should follow the relevant site fire and operational controls.
Battery or charging arrangements should not unnecessarily obstruct emergency access or escape arrangements.
08. DAMAGED OR ABNORMAL BATTERIES
A battery suspected of being damaged, defective, overheating or otherwise abnormal should not be treated as a routine operational battery.
Do not continue routine swapping, charging or transport of a battery that shows signs of significant damage, swelling, leakage, abnormal heat, smoke or other potentially hazardous behaviour.
Stop the normal operational process.
Keep people away from the immediate hazard.
Inform the relevant supervisor or operational contact.
Follow the approved battery isolation or quarantine procedure where it is safe to do so.
Record and report the event through the required system.
09. THERMAL EVENT & FIRE RESPONSE
Lithium-ion battery failure can involve rapid heating, smoke, fire and potentially hazardous emissions. Personnel should not improvise when faced with an escalating battery event.
If a battery is smoking, burning, rapidly heating or presents an immediate danger, follow the site emergency procedure, keep people away from the affected area and contact the emergency services where required.
Only personnel who are trained, authorised and operating under an appropriate emergency procedure should undertake any specific intervention involving a hazardous battery.
10. PPE & WORK EQUIPMENT
Required PPE and equipment should be determined by the relevant risk assessment, battery operation and working environment.
Suitable task-specific gloves where required.
Where identified by task risk assessment.
Appropriate visibility clothing for roadside or operational environments where required.
Suitable containers, restraint and handling aids.
11. TRAINING & COMPETENCE
Personnel involved in battery operations should receive information and training appropriate to the tasks they are expected to perform.
12. INCIDENT & NEAR-MISS REPORTING
Battery damage, abnormal heat, smoke, leakage, uncontrolled movement, handling incidents and other relevant safety concerns should be reported through the applicable DVM or partner operational process.
Incident information may be used to review risk assessments, handling arrangements, training and future operational controls.
13. BATTERY TRANSPORT & DANGEROUS GOODS
Lithium batteries are subject to dangerous goods transport rules in relevant circumstances. The exact requirements depend on factors such as battery type, classification, state and condition, quantity, packaging, transport arrangement and the role undertaken by DVM.
Battery type and transport classification must be correctly identified.
Applicable packaging or container requirements must be followed.
Applicable thresholds and exemptions depend on the actual consignment.
Damaged or defective batteries may require different controls from normal batteries.
Transport information and documentation should be provided where required.
Relevant dangerous-goods advice or competence should be obtained where required.
DVM should confirm the dangerous-goods requirements applicable to the specific batteries and transport model rather than assuming that a particular exemption applies.
14. WASTE & END-OF-LIFE BATTERIES
Batteries that have reached end of life or are designated for disposal or recycling should not be placed into ordinary general waste.
Where batteries become waste within an operation, they should be handled through the applicable authorised waste route and in accordance with relevant legal, partner and operational requirements.
The arrangements applicable to a company collecting, transferring, storing or treating waste batteries depend on the exact activity undertaken.
15. PARTNER & MANUFACTURER REQUIREMENTS
DVM battery operations may be undertaken within a wider client or mobility-partner operational system.
Relevant manufacturer instructions, battery specifications, client procedures, hub rules and emergency arrangements should therefore be considered alongside DVM risk assessments and operational controls.
Where instructions, equipment condition or operational circumstances are unclear or appear unsafe, personnel should escalate the issue rather than creating an unauthorised workaround.
16. RAMS & DOCUMENT CONTROL
Battery operations should be supported by appropriate risk assessment, safe working arrangements and controlled documentation proportionate to the actual activity.
This page describes DVM Group's general battery safety and handling framework. It does not replace a task-specific RAMS, manufacturer instructions, dangerous-goods assessment, client procedure, emergency plan or Battery Handling SOP applicable to a particular operation.
BATTERY SAFETY QUESTION?
Contact DVM Group regarding battery handling, mobility safety documentation, RAMS or operational requirements.
enquiries@dvmbulgar.com