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Integrated Management Systems

The old favorite ISO9001, quality Management Standard, is often combined with ISO14001, Environmental Management Standard and more and more a three way integration is being called for. The third element is BS OHSAS 18001, Occupational Health & Safety Standard. The advantage of having a truly integrated system is that there are elements of all three Standards that are similar or the same:

All three Standards have a document control requirement;

The control of records is specified in all three Standards;

Training, competence & awareness is seen in all three Standards;

All three Standards have a requirement for internal auditing;

Management review is seen as the lynch pin for all the Standards;

Monitoring and measuring devices are used in each Standard;

Continual Improvement is key to all three;

Corrective action and Preventive Action are prime requirements.

It is clear with this amount of synergy, the effort in putting the standards into place can be greatly reduced, as can the costs. The benefits to the organisation can be immense and the incorporation of an integrated management system says a great deal about you:

It says in clear and unequivocal terms that you care about the quality of your products and/or services.

You care about the degree to which your customers are satisfied.

You care about the environment and the effect your operation is having on the planet.

You care about the health, safety and welfare of your employees, contractors and visitors.

And finally that you are sufficiently confident to get these systems externally tested and certificated.

Many Companies looking to place contracts and purchase goods are looking for organisations that have ISO9001 and increasingly have green credentials as well and look after their staff and can demonstrate it.

An Integrated System is the answer.

Labels: integrated management systems

Posted: Monday, 30 June 2008

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Integrated Management Systems

There are many management systems that companies are employing such as Quality Management, Environmental Management, Information Security Management, Food Safety Management, IT Service Management, Health and Safety etc. Usually each requires a set of manuals and forms to satisfy the requirements of each standard.

The modern approach is to use an integrated approach and employ one manual, one set of procedures and when it all works, one formal assessment by an Accredited Certification body. This approach reduces paperwork, reduces the number and complexity of internal audits and the inevitable disruption that these audits generate.

Companies that have adopted the integrated approach have seen a significant benefit to their organisations.

The usual integrations are: