Engineering Management: Doing Things Right - Term Paper Example

Name : xxxxxx Tutor : xxxxxx Title : ISO 9000, ISO14001 and OHSAS 18001 Course : xxxxxx Institution : xxxxxx @ 2010 ISO 9000, ISO14001 and OHSAS 18001 Introduction For the sake of continued operation every company needs to take care of its operational environment, the safety of its workers while on duty and the quality of the products it is releasing into the market. However many companies may not be in a position to tell the amount of effort they need to put in and the desired result. Others may also not be bothered by the health of their surroundings, safety of workers and the quality of their products (Buttle1997 pg. 273-285). When this happens problems can arise in many areas which can lead to the closure of the companies or the destruction of the environment, workers can easily be injured or harmed in the process of duty and also customers will not get their satisfaction form the products and services offered (Beattie, Sohal 1999 pp. 95-106).In order to take care of these problems standards have been set to serve as a guideline for what the companies are supposed to do in order not to compromise the quality of their output, health of their workers and the surroundings. These standards have been made a requirement for any company and therefore are adopted and adhered to just like other regulations. Any company that seeks to do things right in the areas mentioned above must incorporate into its operation the requirements of the International Standards of Organization 9000, 14001 and OHSAS 18001(Boiral 2007 pg. 127–146). ISO 9000 Standard ISO 9000 is a popular international standard adopted by many companies and organizations in the excess of 150 countries. ISO 9000 deals with quality management. In this it seeks to address the quality requirements of the customer and other regulatory requirements that are applicable to its situation (Buttle1997 pg. 273-285).In the implementation of this standard the company should aim at enhancing the satisfaction of the customer and continuously improving on its performance. ISO 9000 is a standard that has requirements which affect all the aspects of whatever company. Any company no matter its industry and size is expected to comply with these requirements (Tsim 2002). The fist section of ISO 9000 addresses the quality management system. Companies that seek to implement ISO 9000 in the area of quality management system have to take a number of steps in that direction. First of all they have to identify the activities required for the system of quality management. They then need to make a determination of the sequence as well as the interaction of the processes. Next they should determine the mode of effective operation and control of these processes (Buttle1997 pg. 273-285).They also need to make sure the availability of all necessary information required to support monitoring and operation of the processes. They also need to measure, monitor and analyze these processes and do an implementation of the actions necessary to correct the processes and achieve continual improvement.” The implementation of ISO 9001 quality management system needs the preparation of documents containing work instructions, quality manual and some procedures. All these documents should be subjected to the control of a procedure for controlling documents. Companies implementing ISO need to stick to continuous improvement as well Tsim et al (2002). The second section of ISO 9000 deals with management responsibility. It requires companies to have their top management showing great commitment to high quality. The companies must come up with quality objectives and policy. Top managers therefore need to be involved with the requirements of the customers. Top company management must establish authorities and responsibilities within their own companies (Boiral 2007 pg. 127–146). In the process of this they need to establish a management representative for ISO 9000.The third section of ISO 9000 has requirements for resource management. It explains the need for companies to do a determination and provision of resources within the right time. Such resources include facilities and equipment and they are required for the implementation and improvement of the processes of the quality management system in ISO 9000 as well as addressing the satisfaction of the customers. The section also contains the requirements for the training of employees, work environment and physical facilities (Beattie, Sohal 1999 pp. 95-106). The fourth section is all about product realization. Product realization is defined by ISO 9001:2008 as “that sequence of processes and sub processes required to achieve the product.” It addresses the designing of the product, its production, testing, handling, and shipping among other processes. The section also deals with service providers (Boiral 2007 pg. 127–146). The company is expected to be accountable in its understanding, communication and meeting of the requirements of the customers. From this section the company gets information on the ISO 9000 expectation for process, project and service planning as well as product design. The companies need to develop a comprehensive system of communicating and responding adequately to the requirements of the customer (Buttle1997 pg. 273-285). The company should also comply with the product design and planning guidelines outlines by ISO 9000.Section five of ISO 9000:2008 deals with measurement, improvement and analysis. Companies are expected to stick to these requirements for them to keep track in activities that deal with measurement and monitoring. The company therefore needs to put in place mechanisms for internal auditing, as well as monitoring the perception of the customers on the performance of the company in fulfilling customer requirements (Beattie, Sohal 1999 pp. 95-106). Defining, planning and implementation efforts are necessary to realize progress in these activities. Section five in the ISO 9000 is critical since it has the power to add great value or bring about waste and bureaucracy. Based on the International Standard of Organization 9000 quality manual standard, every company is expected to write an ISO 9000 quality manual defining the mode of application of the broad ISO 9000 in each company (Beattie, Sohal 1999 pp. 95-106). ISO 1400: 2004 Standard  ISO 1400 2004 as standard for environmental management gives some requirements for systems of environmental management. The standard guides any type of organization in environmental protection initiatives, pollution prevention and improvement of the organization’s environmental performance. Companies seeking to comply with the ISO 1400 must adhere to operational, policy, systemic and planning requirements (Clements1996). Under systemic requirements the company is expected to “establish an environmental management system which complies with the ISO 14001 2004 standard.” It must also do a documentation of its environmental management system according to ISO 14001 2004 standard. It is also required to carry out implementation of its environmental management system in line with the same standard. It is also required to maintain and carry out a continuous improvement on its system of environmental management according to ISO 2004 (Clements1996). Under the policy requirement companies must have established environmental policies in the organization. The company should define, document, implement maintain and communicate its environmental management policy. In planning requirements the company is expected to do an identification of its environmental aspects. It has to establish, implement and maintain procedures to ‘identify the environmental aspects of the activities, products and services of the company.” It also must “document the environmental aspects of the organization’s activities, services and products.” The company must also clarify legal requirements or any (Jackson 1997 pg. 33-47). Procedures should be put in place for the identification and clarification of all requirements which are applicable to the environmental aspects of the organization. In this effort the company must make an implementation and maintenance of procedures that can clarify and identify legal as well as other requirements which are applicable to the environmental aspects of the organization (Buttle1997 pg. 273-285). There also needs to be an establishment, implementation and maintenance of procedures to identify and clarify the legal and other requirements applicable to the environmental aspects of the company. The company also needs to establish programs and objectives. In this there should be the establishment, maintenance and implementation of environmental targets and objectives. Companies should establish implement and maintain programs aimed at achieving their environmental objectives and targets (Jackson 1997 pg. 33-47).Under operational requirements the company must establish jobs as well as provide resources. It must provide resources necessary for establishment, implementation, maintenance and improvement of environmental management system. It should also establish, define, document and communicate the authorities, roles and responsibilities of environmental management and also appoint a person to take the role of management representative. The organization should be able to document its environmental The company should also be able to deliver awareness programs together with training. It should ensure that only competent people are allowed to perform tasks that can impact the environment. It should identify its environmental training needs, deliver training programs that meet those needs, and maintain a record of the environmental training needs of the organization (Jackson 1997 pg. 33-47). It should also develop a method of making people aware of its management system for the environment. The company is also required to implement and maintain its environmental awareness procedure. It is also required to establish procedures for communication in which it should establish, implement and maintain both its external and internal environmental communications. Clements (1996). Another requirement is to do the documentation of the environmental policy, objectives and targets. The scope and the main parts of the environmental management system should also be documented. The pattern of interaction of the parts of the environmental management system should also be described. Environmental management documents such as those required by ISO 14001:2004, the organization’s environmental management system as well as those required by the company’s environmental management system should be controlled (Boiral 2007 pg. 127–146). Operations that seem to be environmentally significant should also be controlled. Within this requirement the company is expected to identify operations associated with the company’s important aspects of the environment (Boiral 2007 pg. 127–146). It is also required to develop managerial procedures for the control of operational situations which might have important impacts on the environment. It should therefore document, implement and maintain it’s environmental and control procedures of operation Companies should have procedures in place for the control of important environmental aspects of the goods and services provided by their suppliers and contractors. In this requirement they should implement and maintain their environmental contractor and supplier procedures of control (Jackson 1997 pg. 33-47). In most cases any given company is required by ISO 14001 to establish a process of emergency management. They should establish, implement and maintain procedures for the identification of potential situations of emergency and accidents which can impact the environment. They should also establish, implement and maintain procedures meant to respond to real situations of emergency as well as accidents that can impact on the environment. It should then carry out tests on its emergency response procedures (Boiral 2007 pg. 127–146). OHSAS 18001 OHSAS 18000 is an international occupational health and safety management system standard. It has 2 parts, 18001 and 18002 and utilizes several other publications.” OHSAS is an assessment series for health and safety management systems in occupational health and safety. It helps a company to take control of its safety and occupational health risks. Under general safety contractors are responsible for site safety operations. He should facilitate all employees in his company to undergo training. A person to do risk assessment co ordination should be sought before any work begins on a site. He should put in places risk control measures in places where there is a possibility of risks occurring (Chaturvedi 2005). Risk assessment is done to reveal and tackle any hazards related to a project. The company must write down the assessment and include such things as “main elements of construction, third party and general public safety, contaminated ground, scaffolding, ground works, movements of vehicles on the site among other things.” The site should be kept safe and contractors are expected to provide their management team with a system of keeping the site safe and tidy. Sites should be monitored for maintenance of standards. Contractors are also expected to ensure that authorizations are acquired for the manager of the project for tasks falling into these clauses; confined fences, hot work permit, electrical equipment, excavations and openings and working at heights. Companies are expected to follow all requirements concerned with tasks done on or near hot water systems of high temperature. Only competent people should be allowed to work there. The same should be done when working near or on a sprinkler system. Noises must be eliminated and equipment for ear protection should be provided and used by employees (Chaturvedi 2005). Contractors need to follow all safety standards for fire. “The project manager should approve fire assessment and emergency procedures.” ‘All people working on site should be familiar with fire risks, safety and control measures. Combustible material must be kept in places approved by safety officers. Fire fighting equipment should have areas through which they can be accessed. They need to be marked, maintained and kept away form obstructions. Contractors must obtain permits for hot works form safety officers. When the work is completed the permit is cancelled by the safety officer. All welding tasks must be authorized by contract engineers and safety officer. Contractors must ensure that flashes from welding are not allowed to affect people around the place (Chaturvedi 2005). Companies need to put measures in place to take care of their hazardous materials. Contractors need to organize for risk assessments to be done by competent people for materials to be used. “The Security Officer must be informed in writing of all substances intended for use on site which are classified as toxic, very toxic, corrosive, flammable, highly flammable or explosive.” Explosives should never be brought on site. Contractors need to ensure that construction wastes are disposed off safely and comply strictly with regulations for waste disposal. Contractors should employ trained personnel to operate plants (Chaturvedi 2005). Contractors must acquire first aid equipment and have personnel trained in first aid. Stations for first aid must be marked and checked regularly. All openings and excavations need to be supported structurally and fenced and lights put around them at night. Before an excavation begins service clearance should be acquired. Contractors should provide all equipment for safety to the employees. “Contractors must be familiar with the system of clarification, the appropriate procedures that apply and follow a safe system of work in order that danger both to themselves and others is avoided. (Buttle1997 pg. 273-285). They also need to conform to all the requirements pertaining to electric equipment installation and operation. They also need to ensure that lifting equipments like cranes, platforms, hoists and others are of the right type and used in the right way (Chaturvedi 2005). All regulations pertaining to lifting equipment must be adhered to. Each part of lifting equipment must have its safe working load marked on it. Lifting equipment must be stored safely when not being used. The lifting equipment and plant should be tested regularly and the results kept in a register. Any platform that is temporary must be fixed. It should have handrails and guardrails as well as toe boards so that people and materials will be prevented form falling off the platform. A good platform for working at heights should be constructed to ensure protection on its edges. Crawling boards and other equipment for safety should be provided for working on roof surfaces. Compressed gas cylinders should be supported always. Oxidizing and flammable gases need to be kept in separate locations (Chaturvedi 2005).The three standards ISO 9000, ISO 1400 and OHSAS are related because all of them are designed to take care of a company’s operations in the areas of safety of the people and the surroundings as well as the quality of a company’s products. They all safeguard the relationship of the company with its customers, its environment and workers (Chaturvedi 2005). Conclusion In conclusion every company that subscribes to the standards of ISO is expected to adhere to OHSAS, ISO 1400 and ISO 9000. All these standards have various requirements pertaining to occupational health and safety, environmental wellbeing and the quality of the products of the company respectively. They are designed to guide the operations of a company in order to ensure a peaceful coexistence between the company and its employees, customers and the general surroundings. It is therefore important for every company to observe these requirements if it wants to do its things right all the time (Pradeep 2005 pg 7). The personnel of a contractor are not expected to take any alcohol. The contractor must enforce the requirement that workers should not be allowed in if the have taken alcohol. Smoking should only be done in permitted locations. Safety harnesses and training should be provided to employees working in risky areas where they can fall for over 2 meters. This is done where construction of a safety barrier is not possible and equipment like crawling boards are not easily available. Before a plant, service or equipment is used contractors must confirm that the plant, service or equipment is not put to wrong use (Pradeep 2005: pg 7). References Beattie, K.R.; Sohal, A.S. (1999), "Implementing ISO 9000: A study of its benefits among Australian organizations" Total Quality Management Volume 10, pp. 95-106(12): Amazon Publishers New York City. Buttle, F. (1997), "ISO 9000: marketing motivations and benefits", International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management. Emerald Publications: Manchester Business School, Manchester, UK Boiral, O 2007, ‘Corporate Greening through IS0 14001: A Rational Myth?’ Organization Science, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 127–146. Prentice Hall, New York. Jackson, S L (1997) Monitoring and Measurement Systems for Implementing ISO 14001’, Environmental Quality Management, vol. 6, no. 3, pp 33–47. Prentice Hall, New York. Delmas, M & Montiel, I 2009, ‘Greening the Supply Chain: When Is Customer Pressure Effective?’ Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, vol. 18, no. 1. Amazon Publishers New York City Clements, R.B 1996, Complete Guide to ISO 14000, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River. Van der Veldt (1997), ‘Case Studies of ISO 14001: A New Business Guide for Global Environmental Protection.’, Environmental Quality Management. Pradeep C (2005).Managing Safety; Challenges ahead.Concept Publishing Company: New Delhi. India. Tsim, Y.C.; Yeung, V. W. S.; Leung, E. T. C. (2002), "An adaptation to ISO 9001: 2000 for Certified organizations", Managerial Auditing Journal. Prentice Hall, New York. Read More