Benefits of working with an ISO expert

There are nearly twenty thousand standards covering everything from manufactured products and technology to food safety, agriculture and healthcare.

Use of the standards aids in the creation of products and services that are safe, reliable and of good quality. The standards help businesses increase productivity while minimizing errors and waste. By enabling products from different markets to be directly compared, they facilitate companies in entering new markets and assist in the development of global trade on a fair basis. The standards also serve to safeguard consumers and the end-users of products and services, ensuring that certified products conform to the minimum standards set internationally.

On paper, it can look an onerous task to be able to meet these standards. In practice, it can mean many hours finding, creating and pulling everything together. For many, the time is well spent with accreditation or certification awarded. But, there can also be disappointment. Just when you thought you had jumped the final hurdle, you find there are many more to come.

How can an ISO consultancy company such as ISOsafe help?

There are many advantages to investing time and money with an ISO expert:

•   Important for your business – receiving an ISO certification can have a huge positive impact on your business. It can open many new doors and present your company with a wealth of exciting opportunities. Working with an ISO expert company can help to reach this important milestone faster.

•   Fresh perspective – you know your systems inside and out. You know that your environmental policy is robust, and your quality management systems are all in place. But, do they reach the standard? Are they as robust and versatile as you need and want them to be? Can they really withstand the pressure of interstate and international business? The perspective provided by a fresh pair of objective eyes will make a huge difference.

•   Actionable advice – gaining ISO certification is not rhetoric. They are important business standards that speak volumes about your business's ability to deliver your product or service. When something is so important, you need clear, actionable advice and guidance.

•   Invest for great rewards – when budgets and operating margins are tight, it can be counter-intuitive to pay for a service that essentially, you may think, you can do yourself. It just means slaving away over your desk… but support, guidance and advice from a company who works daily in the fast-paced world of ISO standards will save you time, and money.

Your business is everything. Gaining accreditation and certification such as ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 will speak volumes to your trade partners, as well as propelling you beyond the reach of your competitors. Why not speak to ISOsafe today on 1300 789 132 or email enquiries@isosafe.com.au to see how much easier gaining certification is with an expert by your side

Are you killing your sedentary workers?

One news story that keeps coming back time and again is that of the health risks associated with sedentary jobs. It doesn’t take a genius to realise that sitting down all day is bad for our waistlines and general health, but research suggests that the long-term risks are worse than previously thought.

Sitting causes cancer?

One particularly scary headline that has been doing the rounds claims that sitting for eight hours at work is directly linked to breast and colon cancer. Looking into the details of the research, however, it becomes clear that sitting for long periods merely increased the risk of developing either form of cancer (in conjunction with other contributing factors like obesity).

Time magazine went even further, claiming that an eight-hour day increased the risk of developing cancer by 66%. This horrific sounding statistic is tempered by looking at the specific incident rate – the odds of a 30-year old man developing colon cancer by the age of 60 is just under 1%.

The importance of movement

Although the study indicates that the chances of developing colon cancer are quite small, they also help to underscore the importance of getting away from the desk regularly. By spending two out of every eight hours of a working day standing (or better still, moving), workers can reduce their colon cancer risk by 0.8%.

Obviously this sounds impractical, but the same net result can be achieved by spending just 15 minutes each hour walking away from the desk. For instance, instead of calling or emailing a colleague in the next office, walking to speak to meet them and having a conversation face-to-face – talking directly may even raise the standard of communications throughout the business.

A ticking time bomb

In the same way that the symptoms of asbestos exposure take many years to develop, the full impact of a sedentary lifestyle may take decades to become apparent. The move from traditional physical labour, to an information-based economy has changed the way we work, encouraging us to do less physical exercise as part of our normal work routine.

It is important then that employers take the potential dangers seriously as part of their standard workplace risk assessments. Every employee should already be subject to a workstation health check to verify that their screen is positioned correctly and is glare-free, and their chair provides suitable support for the lower back.

But in light of mounting evidence that sitting all day is incredibly bad for health, employers should also be looking at ways to encourage employees to take more exercise. Risk assessments and operating procedures should be adapted to encourage light exercise during the working day – like suggesting employees use stairs rather than lifts, or that they stand for 10-15 minutes every hour.

Keeping employees safe and healthy is not only important for their wellbeing, but it also has a direct impact on productivity, and therefore profitability. If your workforce develops long term illnesses related to desk-based work, your business will suffer as a result.

So over to you – how does your business approach the potential problems related to an increasingly sedentary workforce?

Contact ISOsafe today to learn more about our office-wellbeing initiatives for your workplace.

Free Ladder Safety Inspection Checklist For Your Workplace

For many short-duration tasks, ladders are undoubtedly the most suitable piece of access equipment: they’re relatively cheap, easy to handle and can be used by almost anyone with a bit of suitable training

However, using a ladder also has its dangers! If your ladder isn’t positioned correctly, regularly inspected or used appropriately then accidents are likely – did you know that last year alone around 567,000 working days were lost due to falls from height?

Before you set foot on the first rung, whether it be to paint a wall, clean a window or reach a shelf, make sure you tally up your task against the following safe ladder procedures and ensure you stay safe:

Assess the risks
☐ Is a ladder the most suitable equipment for the task? Ladders are recommended only for short-duration, low-risk tasks
☐ Will the task last longer than 30 minutes? If so, another form of work at height equipment may be more suitable
☐ Is the person using the ladder competently trained?
☐ Does any personal protective equipment, such as gloves and a hard hat, need providing to the user to enhance their safety?
☐ Are you using the right ladder for the job? 

Check your footing
☐ Is the ladder placed on firm, level ground? Sloping, unsolid or moveable ground can cause the ladder to slip when in use
☐ Are there hazards around the base of the ladder that need removing, such as wet leaves, oil or mud?
☐ Do the ladder’s rungs run parallel (horizontally) with the floor?
☐ Is the ladder fixed at regular intervals or do you have a stability device in place to prevent it from slipping and falling?
☐ Is the top of the ladder resting against a strong surface, such as a brick wall? Weak surfaces, like plastic guttering and glass, can easily break and so should be avoided
☐ Is the ladder at a 75° angle – 1 unit out for every 4 units up? If this angle cannot be obtained then do not use the ladder

Do an inspection
☐ Has the ladder been checked for defects before use?
☐ Are the rungs and stiles bent or damaged? If so, remove the ladder from use
☐ Are the feet missing, worn or damaged? If so, remove the ladder from use
☐ On a stepladder, does the locking mechanism engage fully? If not, remove the ladder from use
☐ Are the steps or feet contaminated with dirt? If so, remove the ladder from use and ensure it is properly cleaned before using
☐ Has a regular formal inspection of the ladder been done? Are there records of this to show any defects that were found?

Climb the ladder with care
☐ Are you ascending and descending the ladder one rung at a time?
☐ Are you facing the direction of the rungs when climbing?
☐ Are you moving too quickly? Quick climbing can cause the ladder to ‘bounce’ and lose footing so always move slowly
☐ Can you maintain 3 points of contact at all times, i.e. two feet and one hand?
☐ Are you overreaching or leaning sideways to reach your task? If so, reposition the ladder so that it’s face on to the work activity or select a ladder with greater height
☐ Are you carrying items up the ladder? If so, use a tool belt to ensure your hands are free to grip the ladder as you climb

Once all of the above have been considered then you should be ready to start your task – the key point is to always assess the situation, inspect the ladder and climb with care. If your workers require ladder safety training, contact us today.

Fire Safety Tips for Australian Business Owners

No matter the type of business you conduct at your workplace, fire safety should always be a main concern. Here are a few fire safety tips you can distribute to your staff:

•   Install a fire detection and warning system – the alarm can be raised automatically but if the system is manual, all employees should be taught how to operate the alarm.

•   Check your fire escape routes – they must take people to a safe place, be well-labelled, have good lighting and be designed in accordance with the Building Codes.

•   Nominate a fire warden – have one person (or more if needed) to be in charge of creating and enforcing fire safety procedures and ensuring that everyone knows what to do and where to find fire-fighting equipment.

•   Introduce evacuation procedures – in cases of emergency, everyone must be able to escape safely. Use your fire wardens to ensure people leave calmly and by the most direct route.

•   Use emergency lighting – all emergency routes and exits must be well-lit. Include lighting at each door, corridor, change of direction, staircase, change in floor level and next to all fire-fighting equipment and alarms.

•   Know your fire extinguishers – make sure you understand the different types of fire extinguisher available and have the correct ones stored in the appropriate places.

•   Check your fire safety signs – are the signs displayed clear, unambiguous and suitable for those with poor vision or lack of English language skills? Replace signs where necessary and ensure that they are well-lit and easy to understand.

•   Prepare an emergency plan – every employer must prepare an emergency plan covering things such as: the actions employees must take on discovering a fire, warning systems, evacuation procedures, fire warden duties etc.

•   Train your employees in fire safety – all staff must be instructed in how to raise the alarm, evacuation procedures and where fire-fighting equipment is kept. Without this knowledge, cases of fire have the potential to become even more serious.

•   Hold regular fire drills – practice your fire drill at least annually but more frequently if appropriate to ensure all employees know what to do and where to go.

ISOsafe can develop tailored Evacuation Procedures, Evacuation Plans/Diagrams for your workplace. We also offer a range of Emergency Preparedness training options such as; annual fire drills at your facility. 

Benefits of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSAS 18001)

OHSAS 18001 is the British Standard for Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S / WHS). It is an internationally applied and recognised system for the management of Occupational Health and Safety. OHSAS 18001 aligns with the structure and requirements of the popular ISO 9001 and ISO 14001; this means, organisations already certified to the ISO 9001 and/or ISO 14001 Management Systems Standards can become OHSAS 18001 certified with little effort.

Perhaps the most important and attractive feature of implementing an OH&S Management System (OHSAS 18001) is the ability to advertise of a safe working environment. There are many benefits to implementing an OH&S Management System, such as:

•    Improving corporate image and credibility among stake holders, regulators, customers, prospective clients and the public
•    Adoption of international best practice in relation to risk management
•    Ensure health and well being of employees, sub contractors and the public
•    Minimisation of liability of employers through adoption of proactive rather than reactive controls
•    Ensuring legislative awareness and compliance
•    Reducing accident and incident rates by reducing and elimination workplace hazards
•    Improving the incident investigation process
•    Improving employee motivation through the provision of a safer workplace and participation process

For further information on OHSAS 18001 or the certification process, contact us today.