ISO 9001:2015 - How we can help you get there

ISO 9001 is the internationally recognised standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS). It is the most widely used standard in the world, with over 1.1 million certificates issued to organisations in 178 countries.

ISO 9001 provides a framework and set of principles that ensure a common-sense approach to the management of your organisation to consistently satisfy customers and other stakeholders. In simple terms, it provides the basis for effective processes and effective people to deliver an effective product or service time after time.

ISO 9001:2015 was released on 15th September 2015. Organisations currently registered to ISO 9001:2008 will have 3 years to make the transition to the 2015 version. In support of the transition process, we wanted to answer some of the more common questions that we have received.

 Why was ISO 9001 revised?

All ISO standards are revised every five years to keep them current and relevant to the marketplace.

When should my organisation start the transition process and how will ISOsafe assist me through the transition?

Immediately! The first step is to contact ISOsafe – we’ll work with you on the transition timeline. The next step is to sit back while our expert consultant prepares all the necessary documents and delivers the ISO training your staff require. We will run the ISO project, on your behalf, through to issue of certificates.

Can our organisation upgrade in 2016 during a re-certification or surveillance audit?

Yes, providing your quality management system meets the requirements of ISO 9001:2015. Organisations may transition during a surveillance, recertification or special audit.  Transition audits will take place in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

My organisation is thinking of getting certified to ISO 9001 in 2016, what version should we be using?

We suggest you consider ISO 9001:2015 but this is your decision and ISOsafe will support an initial certification to ISO 9001:2008.

If you are seeking ISO 9001 certification for the first time, you can expect the following benefits: operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, process improvement, product improvement, reduced wastage, enhanced risk management at all levels in your business and new business / contracts – as this globally recognised certification will give your business a competitive edge in the market.

How can I get a copy of the ISO 9001:2015 Standard?

ISOsafe recommend purchasing Standards from an Australian supplier, such as SAI Global.

What are notable changes when transitioning to ISO 9001:2015?

The new ISO 9001 standard aligns with high-level organizational structure, requiring all new ISO management system standards to be aligned on a high-level structure with a set of common requirements. Additionally, there is a greater emphasis on risk-based thinking as a basis for the management system, more focus on achieving value for the company and its customers, increased flexibility regarding use of documentation, and a more approachable structure for service businesses.

ISOsafe have helped many organisations seamlessly transition to the revised Standards. Don’t wait till its late call us today on 1300 789 132

Top food safety tips for your workplace

Cross contamination
• You must prepare and store raw and ready to eat food separately.
• Wash hands thoroughly before preparing food, after going to the toilet or after handling pets.
• Ready to eat foods need to be stored above raw meat/fish.
• Keep pets and pests away from food and food preparation surfaces.
• Cover food to prevent contamination by flies and insects.
• Use foods within the "use by" date on the label.
• Do not prepare or serve food for others if you have (or recently had) diarrhoea and or vomiting.

Chilling
• After purchase, ensure chilled and frozen food are quickly transferred to refrigerators or cool rooms.
• Make sure you have enough refrigerator space to store foods before and after cooking.
• Refrigerator temperatures should be at or below 5°C.
• Throw away ‘chilled’ food that has been stored at room temperature or which has been outside for more than four hours. Remember, in summer warmer temperatures help food poisoning bacteria grow quickly.

Cooking
• Defrost frozen meat and chicken thoroughly before cooking.
• Ensure food is piping hot and always follow instructions on food packaging.
• If intending to barbecue, pre-cook the meat in your cooker on the same day. The meat will then cook quicker on the barbecue and you'll be able to serve more people at once.
• Make sure the middle of the food, especially meat, burgers and sausages, is thoroughly cooked. Avoid the "burnt on the outside, raw in the middle" method of barbecuing.
• Do not serve food containing uncooked eggs such as homemade mayonnaise.

Cleaning
• Clean work surfaces and utensils with hot water and detergent between handling raw meat/fish and ready to eat food.
• Wash kitchen cloths and sponges regularly and leave them to dry before using them again. Dirty, damp cloths are the perfect place for bacteria to breed.
A lot of people smell the food to see if it is ‘off’. You need to be aware that food poisoning bacteria look, smell and taste normal.

Health and safety tips
• Always ensure there is clear access for the emergency services i.e. police, fire and ambulance.
• Make sure any electrical equipment is properly earthed and connected to an RCD or circuit breaker.
• Ensure a basic first aid box is available to deal with minor cuts and grazes.
• Keep young children away from any barbecue or hot cooking equipment.

If you would like to talk to someone regarding the safety at your event or workplace, please contact ISOsafe today to learn more about our services on 1300 789 132

Important information about renewing your company’s workers compensation policy this July

Many accident insurance policies are due for renewal from 1st July. In this edition we shed light on the process for correctly declaring wages and the overall renewal process for workers compensation insurance.

An accident insurance policy is compulsory for all Australian businesses who employ workers, so that in the event of a work-related injury, their workers and business are covered. Employers must declare their wages to their insurer annually to ensure they have the right level of cover.

If employers are found to be underinsured or uninsured they are may be subject to significant financial penalties. Further, employers could also be subject to potentially costly claims which could amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the severity of the injuries sustained by a worker.

This is why ISOsafe have provided three simple steps to help employers accurately declare their wages so they can have peace of mind that their workers and business are covered when they renew their policy from 1 July.

Step 1 - Determine who you need to cover

The Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (the Act) defines a worker under section 11 and aligns with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) definition. Section 11 of the Act also states that only an individual can be a worker. This reduces red tape and makes it easier for employers to correctly identify workers when declaring wages.

In simplified terms, a person who works under a 'contract of service' is a worker. This means a person who performs the same work in the same way as an employee is likely to be a worker. Even where a person calls themselves a 'sub-contractor', has their own ABN and is responsible for their own tax, if you engage them for work, they may be considered a worker under the Act.

Step 2 - Determine what payments need to be included in your wage declaration

When calculating premiums, insurers require details of the actual wages paid during the last financial year and the estimated wages you (the employer) expect to pay in the next financial year.

For workers’ compensation purposes, ‘wages’ means more than just PAYG payments. For example, superannuation payments and fringe benefits need to be included in your wage declaration.

Step 3 - Declare your wages

Before contacting your insurer, you should have your head count and wages figure at hand. We recommend declaring your wages early in July to take full advantage of flexible payment options, which includes discounts and payment plans.

If you have any questions when declaring your wages, please call ISOsafe on 1300 789 132

Sydney car auction company fined more than $250,000 after death of forklift operator

A Sydney car auction company has been fined more than a quarter of a million dollars after a forklift operator was killed while unloading a truck at Milperra, NSW in 2013.
A 36 year old forklift operator and a 19 year old labourer were moving a cabinet from a truck onto a forklift at the company’s motor vehicle storage and auction site, when they both lost control of the load. The incident resulted in the death of the forklift operator and the labourer was left with fractured ribs and an injured knee.
SafeWork NSW charged the company with a breach of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 for failing to ensure the health and safety of workers.
The company were found guilty by the District Court in June this year and fined $255,000.
Executive Director of SafeWork NSW, Peter Dunphy said the incident highlighted the risks of working with forklifts and need to provide effective supervision and support to young workers.
“Forklifts continue to be a major factor in workplace deaths and injuries,” Mr Dunphy said.
“Between July 2012 and July 2014, 1,360 workers were injured in forklift incidents, including five fatalities.
“The social and economic impact is also significant, including a cost of $15.8 million to the NSW workers compensation scheme.
“Young workers make up approximately 12 per cent of all employment injuries and occupational diseases across the State, and are more vulnerable to workplace safety risks because of their inexperience or reluctance to speak up about safety concerns.
“Our investigation found that a lack of safety systems, instruction and supervision were major contributors to this incident.
“The company failed to train and instruct the workers how to safely remove the cabinet from the truck and did not tell them which forklift could safely carry the cabinet."
“This resulted in the workers selecting the wrong sized forklift with tragic results.”
“This incident highlights the need for employers to have appropriate systems in place to ensure that all workers, particularly young workers, receive sufficient training and support to work safely.”
Failure to manage health and safety can result in serious incidents. So, as well as putting staff wellbeing at risk, businesses can be left exposed to substantial financial penalties, criminal and civil prosecution and loss of reputation.
Don’t risk noncompliance. ISOsafe’s services will protect your business. We will prepare safe systems of work, safety instructions and all other documentation you require. Call us now 1300 789 132 or email us at enquiries@isosafe.com.au, to learn more about our services for businesses and their owners.

Nearly a million dollars in safety fines after bricklayer almost killed

A Granville bricklaying company and its director have been fined nearly three quarters of a million dollars after a worker almost died from electric shock on a Hammondville construction site in 2012.
The worker had been installing vertical metal bars into brickwork at a residential and commercial construction when he made contact with overhead power lines, suffering electrical burns to his hands, arms and torso. After being pronounced dead at the scene, he was revived by the Director.
SafeWork NSW charged the bricklaying company and its director for failing to comply with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW). The judge found that the Director of the company failed to exercise due diligence by not checking that the scaffold was a safe distance from power lines and verifying that a risk assessment had been conducted.
Two other companies, at the same site, were fined $500,000 in 2014 and $75,000 in 2015 respectively, over the incident.
Executive Director of SafeWork NSW, Peter Dunphy said the incident could have been prevented if the business had a few simple safe work systems in place.
“There was a clear risk that the bricklayer could receive a potentially deadly electric shock if they came into contract with the power lines while working from the scaffolding,” Mr Dunphy said.
“The Director should have verified that a safety assessment had been conducted, ensured the scaffolding was a safe distance from power lines and advised the bricklayer of the risk.
“Unfortunately, this did not occur and the bricklayer almost died in an incident that was completely preventable.
“Fines from this incident now total almost three quarters of a million dollars, serving as a strong deterrent to those in the construction industry thinking about ignoring safety laws.”
Failure to manage health and safety can result in serious incidents. So, as well as putting staff wellbeing at risk, businesses can be left exposed to substantial financial penalties, criminal and civil prosecution and loss of reputation.
Don’t risk noncompliance. ISOsafe’s services will protect your business. We will prepare safe systems of work, safety instructions and all other documentation you require. Call us now 1300 789 132 or email us at enquiries@isosafe.com.au, to learn more about our services for businesses and their owners.