The new world trend now is to integrate the quality, health, safety & environment in one management system (QHSEIMS) to enable the organization manage their management systems and achieve the certificates in one go. Certification to the ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004 & OHSAS 18001:2007 is not an easy process, it need a big efforts, commitment and team working as it requires compliance to the regulatory requirements as well as the standard requirements including continual improvement.
What is a QHSE Integrated Management system?
QHSE IMS is a structured process for achieving continuous QHSE improvement. It provides a solid framework for meeting QHSE challenges and realizing the various benefits.
QHSE IMS integrates the norms of the ISO 9001:2008/ISO14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007 using the QHSE Management System as the foundation, so that the elements in common can be planed, executed and be monitored together.
The Integrated Management System is based on:
– Policy
– Goal and Objectives
– Process Maps / Activities
– Hazards, Aspects and Impacts / Legal Requirements
– Performance Indicators
– Continuous improvement.
A Properly established QHSEMS will:
• enable an organization to identify the significant QHSE impacts from its activities and processes;
• Assure that an organizations employee, contractors and visitors are aware of how they may impact the QHSE and work to minimize theses impacts;
• Help an organization maintain compliance to changing regulatory requirements;
• Assist in planning, monitoring, auditing and reviewing activities to assure compliance;
• Allow the company to be proactive in meeting new standards and compliance objectives.
What are the benefits of QHSE IMS?
A properly implemented and maintained QHSE IMS would:
• Allow the organization to measure is QHSE performance and continually reduce its impacts;
• Allow the organization to measure customer satisfaction;
• Allow the organization to identify hazards, assess the risk and control it;
• Add savings by promoting waste reduction and energy & material efficiency;
• Improve the company public image.
• Lower implementation cost.
• Lower certification cost.
• Less time spent with internal and external audits.
• One Manual includes all 3 Standards.
• Demonstrates to our customers the commitment to providing QHSE in services and products.
• Keeps management informed of potential problems that could cost money in fines and loss of work from customers.
• To be seen as a partner by our customers and government agencies as a Pro Active Company in QHSE issues.
What is ISO 9001, 14001 & OHSAS 18001?
The international organization of standardization (ISO) has developed the internationally accepted standard ISO 9001, 14001 & OHSAS 18001 that defines the requirements of effective QHSEMS.
Granting the ISO certification to an organization means that an internationally accredited third party certification body has verified through auditing, that the implemented QHSE IMS is compliant with the requirements of the ISO standards.
Why certify your QHSE IMS?
Commitment to QHSE Continual Improvement and to achieving excellence in QHSE performance is the main certification objectives.
Once certified, you will ensure that you:
• Fully implement our QHSEMS.
• Earn acknowledgment and further respect of your QHSE performance from the community and public.
• Gain international recognition and thereby improve the company reputation.
• Provide tangible evidence of compliance and the ability to meet the requirements.
• Raise the confidence of all interested parties.
ISO certification will helps you move from a reactive QHSE Culture to a proactive systematic approach to QHSE.
Meeting the certification requirements is a challenge that not many companies can achieve and keeping the certification is even a bigger challenge.
By Adel Wafi – MI SWACO QHSE Manager
