Beacon ACT - Health and Safety

🔥 Maintaining an ISO-based management system is hard work!

I recently audited Pyrotek Products Ltd in Auckland. They've had ISO certification for many years. I could see the relentless effort it takes to keep improving its ISO 9001 management system.

The hard work pays off for them as it will for you.

When an organisation signs up to obtain ISO certification, the certification body signs a three-year agreement with the client (you). Why?

This is the process that all certification bodies follow and aligns with the following:
➡ To ensure consistency and sustainability of the management system.
➡ To continually improve the management system.
➡ Ensure the management system culture is "the way we do things around here".

So we can clearly see a "maintenance" aspect here.

The PDCA cycle or plan-do-check-act cycle is at the heart of any ISO management system. This in itself is an ongoing process and should never stop.

So, what does "maintaining" mean?

Defining "maintain" or "maintaining" includes keeping in existence or continuance; preserving; keeping in an appropriate condition, operation, or force; keeping unimpaired; or maintaining order.

Once certification is achieved, it is a continual process of maintaining the management system and ensuring that the standard's requirements have been met.

Some challenges on this road include:
🔷 Managing changes within the organisation and their effect on the ISO management system, e.g., new leadership team or lack of competency.
🔷 Managing management system changes and ensuring all affected documentation, activities and employees are informed of the changes, e.g., new document control process or IT online tool.

"Maintain" can also mean to keep the same, keep up or keep on doing.

The challenge we face as management system implementers is that one needs to be careful regarding ISO management systems - the meaning of "maintain" should always be understood in a way that takes "continual improvement" into consideration.

We need to do better, progress, and not stagnate.

More information about my upcoming courses:
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🎯 PART 1: 16 October - ONLINE ISO 45001 Introduction Course -> https://lnkd.in/gmBhMUJD
🎯 PART2: 17/18 October - ONLINE OHS Internal Auditor Course -> https://lnkd.in/gDKTF5J2
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💥 I am Christel.
🔺 ISO 45001 specialist providing auditing, consulting and training services.
🔺Registered ISO 45001, ISO 14001 & ISO 9001 Lead Auditor.

Liked this post and want to see more? Ring the 🔔 on my LinkedIn Profile, follow , or 🔝 Connect with me.

🔥 The objectives and benefits of conducting ISO 45001 health and safety management system audits, whether internal or external, are often misunderstood and sometimes misconstrued to support an agenda.

What are the objectives of an ISO audit?

✅ An ISO audit monitors whether the operations of the management system conform to the organisation's documented program.

✅ The ISO audit verifies an organisation's planning, management system implementation, management system measurements, and management system documentation.

✅ An ISO audit also ensures that the management system meets the relevant standard requirements, the organisation's own requirements and objectives, and remains efficient and effective.

It is a mouthful, I agree. As with everything in life there could be limitations, but limitations are often opportunities for improvement.

Let me explain.

Often, I get the response that an ISO audit focuses on obtaining certification, that it is mainly a tick box exercise, and the focus is not on implementing a sustainable management system.

Doing “window-dressing” and obtaining and maintaining your certifications for years may be difficult to sustain, especially if you engaged a reputable third-party certification body to conduct the audits and use competent auditors. It is up to you, the choice is yours.

Another comment often made is that ISO audits “kill trees” due to the number of documented evidence requirements. It is your management system, not that of the auditor or certification body. So, you determine the “volume” of documented evidence.

One of my favourite examples to use and to explain that an audit is an excellent leading indicator is the Piper Alpha oil-platform disaster. In this unfortunate event, an audit identified some of the problems many years before the incident occurred; however, the failure of management to act led to nonconformances not being closed out.

Certification and benchmarking against a standard are among the best ways to identify whether the workforce is doing what was designed to be done and whether there is continual improvement to better health and safety practices.

Lastly, at the foundation of auditing an OHS management system is the PDCA cycle and for me, that means we learn lessons from audits, try harder and keep improving.

More information about my upcoming courses:
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🎯 PART 1: 16 October - ONLINE ISO 45001 Introduction Course -> https://lnkd.in/gmBhMUJD
🎯 PART2: 17/18 October - ONLINE OHS Internal Auditor Course -> https://lnkd.in/gDKTF5J2
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💥 I am Christel.
🔺 ISO 45001 specialist providing auditing, consulting and training services.
🔺Registered ISO 45001, ISO 14001 & ISO 9001 Lead Auditor.
Liked this post and want to see more? Ring the 🔔 on my LinkedIn Profile, follow , or 🔝 Connect with me.

🔥 It is becoming a race to obtain ISO 45001 certification. One of the reasons may be that it is becoming a tender or contract requirement and this pressure will continue to increase.

The bad news is that getting ISO 45001 certification takes time.

My experience is that it should take between 18 months to two years to implement an effective health and safety management system, depending on the context of the organisation.

Some of the reasons for my position include the following (in reverse order):

▶ A stage 2 audit is the “final” audit done by a certification body. This audit should preferably be done three months after the stage 1 audit in case of nonconformances. It gives the organisation time to close the nonconformances before the stage 2 audit. (3 months)

▶ To conduct a stage 1 audit, one needs to have at least a minimum of three months' worth of documented information applied in practice to show that this is not only a paper system. (3 months)

▶ To have the compulsory 18+ ISO 45001 and 16+ processes, the system implementer needs time, leadership involvement, and worker participation and engagement to develop these procedures and policies. (6 months)

Looking at the three points above, we are looking at a minimum of 12 months to set up the OHS management system.

Even potential obstacles such as lack of management commitment, lack of resources and knowledge, time delays in getting input and approval, and many other factors must still be factored in.

So, for those senior leaders in organisations expecting their OHS teams to implement an ISO 45001 management system in 6, 9 or 12 months, I strongly suggest you attend an ISO 45001 introduction course to get a feel for what might be required to establish and implementing an ISO 45001-based OHS management system.

More information on my upcoming courses on the links below.
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🎯 PART 1: 16 October - ONLINE ISO 45001 Introduction Course -> https://lnkd.in/gmBhMUJD
🎯 PART2: 17/18 October - ONLINE OHS Internal Auditor Course -> https://lnkd.in/gDKTF5J2
----------------------

💥 I am Christel.
🔺 ISO 45001 specialist providing auditing, consulting and training services.
🔺Registered ISO 45001, ISO 14001 & ISO 9001 Lead Auditor.
Liked this post and want to see more? Ring the 🔔 on my LinkedIn Profile, follow , or 🔝 Connect with me.

🔥 A 2014 university-led study found that the age-old adage that "success breeds success" is a reality. Researchers found that early success bestowed on individuals produced significant increases in subsequent rates of success.

But what does that mean for OHS management?

Health and safety management systems are all about proactively managing risks (as far as reasonably practicable).

This process is mainly viewed as a constant “negative”, meaning there is a focus on what can go wrong, what happened, and why we did not identify or see this before.

Often during an audit, I ask a client, “So, what are the positives you have identified during the last 12 months?” Surely health and safety management systems cannot only be about doom and gloom.

Clients usually take a while to ponder this question, and many cannot seem to come up with examples.

I recently audited Marley New Zealand, part of the Aliaxis Group. During their daily Tier 1, 2 & 3 meetings, I found that they have an allocated spot to discuss what went well and who can be awarded the “excellence award”.

This is just one example of a leading organisation setting the example of celebrating successes. This leads to a culture of “we focus on our pain points” but also recognise our gains.

Well done, Marley!

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🤨 Have you seen my previous post? -> https://lnkd.in/gxVwxnNi
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💥 I am Christel.
🔺 ISO 45001 specialist providing auditing, consulting and training services.
🔺Registered ISO 45001, ISO 14001 & ISO 9001 Lead Auditor.
Liked this post and want to see more? Ring the 🔔 on my Linkedin Profile, follow , or🔝 Connect with me.

🔥 What is a second party audit?

A second party audit, is an audit conducted by an external party on your management system or, the organisation (you) conducting an audit of an external party such as a contractor or a supplier.

In most cases, the objective of 2nd party audits is to look for opportunities for improvement as part of the journey toward obtaining certification.

Other reasons for such audits might be to establish if contractors or suppliers maintain systems in line with their contractual obligations or as part of a due diligence process.

It takes a lot of guts to have a second party audit done, for obvious reasons. It is, however a win-win situation, in my opinion. Why?

You get an independent set of eyes to look at your management system and the report highlights opportunities for improvement helping you to address the gaps before a formal certification audit.

For this reason, the Miracle Electronics senior leadership team decided to engage me and have their quality management system audited.

It was great to work with a forward-looking team with a clear commitment to quality management.

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🎯 My ONLINE ISO 45001 Introduction Course - 16 October -> https://lnkd.in/gmBhMUJD
🎯 My ONLINE OHS Internal Auditor Course - 17/18 October -> https://lnkd.in/gDKTF5J2
----------------------

💥 I am Christel.
🔺 ISO 45001 specialist providing auditing, consulting and training services.
🔺Registered ISO 45001, ISO 14001 & ISO 9001 Lead Auditor.
Liked this post and want to see more? Ring the 🔔 on my LinkedIn Profile, follow on LinkedIn, or🔝 Connect with me.

💥 So often when I audit and get to the “positive” clause, ISO 45001's Clause 10 - Continual Improvement, many auditees struggle to provide evidence.

I have good news for you. Every ISO 45001 health and safety management system will have improvement examples.

ISO 45002 provides improvement examples such as:
🚨 OHS programs implemented
🚨additional guarding installed on machinery
🚨creation of new training courses
🚨participation meetings held for workers
🚨OHS responsibilities added to job descriptions
🚨online incident reporting implemented
🚨competency matrix enhanced
🚨OHS awareness course created for new hires and contractors
🚨internal webpage created to house OHS management system documents and records
🚨OHS performance objectives added to all supervisor performance plans
🚨number of risk assessments completed or reviewed
🚨substitution of safer chemicals on the production line
🚨installation of noise-canceling booths around equipment

It is almost impossible to not have improved “something” within the past year. 😀

✅ Make sure you have a folder in your OHS management system where you log your improvements. Your list will surprise you!

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🎯 My ONLINE ISO 45001 Introduction Course - 16 October -> https://lnkd.in/gmBhMUJD
🎯 My ONLINE OHS Internal Auditor Course - 17/18 October -> https://lnkd.in/gDKTF5J2
----------------------

💥 I am Christel.
🔺 ISO 45001 specialist providing auditing, consulting and training services.
🔺Registered ISO 45001, ISO 14001 & ISO 9001 Lead Auditor.

Liked this post and want to see more? Ring the 🔔 on my LinkedIn Profile, or🔝 Connect with me.

I love the definitions I found for the word “commitment” -

1️⃣ the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.
2️⃣ an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action.
(Sources: Oxford Languages)

But what is real commitment?
👉 An agreement or pledge to do something in the future.
👉 A commitment to improve conditions at the workplace.
👉 An engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
👉 Something pledged.
👉 The commitment of top management to the OHS management system.
(Source: Miriam-Webster - adapted)

Another definition of commitment to work or work commitment is the level of responsibility an employer has towards the OHS management system.

It is the realisation that top management is responsible for setting the goals, mission and vision of the organisation and establishing the OHS culture.

ISO 45001, Clause 5.1, Leadership and commitment, states that top management shall demonstrate leadership and commitment with respect to the OHS management system, and then continues to provide thirteen commitment statements.

ISO 45002 explains the concept of commitment further:
“Top management’s commitment also means providing physical and financial resources, as well as direction.

It requires active involvement - removing barriers that can limit worker participation, leading others to support the OHS management system, and communication of the importance of effective OHS management.”

👏 During a recent audit of Produce Delivered, I experienced the commitment of management during the opening meeting, the physical walk-through, and the closing meeting.

👏The full management team was present at both meetings and supported the OHS manager through the auditing process. Well done to Produce Delivered.

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🎯 My ONLINE ISO 45001 Introduction Course - 16 October -> https://lnkd.in/gmBhMUJD
🎯 My ONLINE OHS Internal Auditor Course - 17/18 October -> https://lnkd.in/gDKTF5J2
----------------------

💥 I am Christel.
🔺 ISO 45001 specialist providing auditing, consulting and training services.
🔺Registered ISO 45001, ISO 14001 & ISO 9001 Lead Auditor.

Liked this post and want to see more? Ring the 🔔 on my Profile, follow or🔝 Connect with me.

💥A management review is a formal meeting that involves top management and may occur at different intervals throughout the year.

The management review is a requirement when operating an ISO standard-based certified or aligned management system.

These meetings aim to assess the effectiveness of an organisation's OHS management system.

The ISO 45001 standard in Clause 9.3 guides the implementer regarding the agenda items for this review meeting.

Two agenda items that are usually “neglected” include statements that top management needs to verify during the meeting. They are:
✅ that the OHS management system is continuing to be suitable, adequate, and effective in achieving its intended outcomes, and
✅ that there are/or are no implications for the strategic direction of the organisation.

For me, making these two statements confirms top management's commitment to the OHS management system.

Also, note Table 17 in ISO 45002 for a great example of Management Review decisions (excerpt below).

❓ Issue: Is the OHS management system achieving its intended results?
❗ Decision: Indicators reviewed showed good results, with the exception of the number of site tours by managers, for which planning has to be revised (deadline: one-month, GM).

❓ Issue: Impact on the strategic direction of the organisation.
❗ Decision: No impact identified.

😀 I recently met Universal Homes' Tony Putter and Maree Horan to prepare for their upcoming Management Review meeting.

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🎯 My ONLINE ISO 45001 Introduction Course - 26 June or 16 October -> https://lnkd.in/gmBhMUJD
🎯 My ONLINE OHS Internal Auditor Course - 27/28 June or 17/18 October -> https://lnkd.in/gDKTF5J2
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💥 I am Christel.
✅ ISO 45001 management system specialist providing auditing, consulting and training services.
👉 Registered ISO 45001, ISO 14001 & ISO 9001 Lead Auditor.
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