Proof ISO 9001 gears your business for rapid growth

When contracting to large businesses or the public sector (government) ISO 9001 acts as a prequalification tool. It lets others know your business has its affairs in order. This is particularly the case for Aussie businesses exporting to the world.

A recent client satisfaction survey conducted by ISOsafe highlighted the benefits of achieving certification to ISO 9001. Here is a summary of the results.

•    The respondents from the survey are most likely to be small or medium enterprises (SME). However, the industries covered are wide and varied; the construction, oil and gas, retail, and technology sectors are just a handful of many found within the survey’s sample.

•    We found that 38 percent of respondents said that they had won business (everyone loves getting more clients/customers right?) as a result of certification

•    The survey also showed that 76 percent of ISOsafe clients found that ISO 9001 certification had helped them to be more competitive. Breaking down that figure, 22 percent of respondents said that ISO 9001 certification allowed them to bid for more contracts, 31 percent said they had won contracts, 20 percent said they had raised their profile, and 3 percent said they now have an advantage over their competitors.

•    Of course, fundamentally ISO 9001 is aimed at providing a framework for organisations to help bring greater consistency and traceability to what they do. This wasn’t lost, with 55 percent of respondents saying that implementation had led to internal improvement.

Anecdotally, our survey has shown that clients tend to fit in one of two camps: those looking for business improvement and those looking to win new business. From an industry perspective, the fear is that if the latter reason continues to dominate, ISO 9001 will be viewed as a tick-box exercise rather than a business improvement tool.

In Australia, ISO 9001 acts as a pre-qualification tool. The idea is that it saves companies both time and money in avoiding having to audit every supplier. Certification provides a level of assurance that rigorous checks have already been done by an unbiased external body governed by JAS-ANZ. The trouble is, meeting the requirements of the standard and truly living it are two very different things.

Looking for Civil Construction Management Code/CCF IMS? Find More Information Here.

Get serious about forklift safety, this December

Forklifts (or industrial lift trucks) are used to stack and transfer loads in many workplaces. At ISOsafe we see the statistics, year after year reporting on workplace deaths and injuries resulting in substantial financial and human costs for workers, businesses and the wider community

The main reasons why people are killed or seriously injured by a forklift include:
✓   hit by a forklift because of driver error, working too close to the forklift or inadequate traffic management
✓   hit by a load a forklift was moving because the driver did not use an attachment when one was needed, or assisting to adjust or steady the load
✓   not wearing a seat belt in a tip-over. The forklifts mostly tipped because operators were turning on uneven or sloping ground

Forklift incidents can be prevented, contact ISOsafe today to learn more about our solutions for your workplace, email us at: enquiries@isosafe.com.au

Does your business need help with Pegasus accreditation?

We have all the answers when it comes to Pegasus accreditation. Call us 1300 789 132.

ISOsafe understand Pegasus certification is time consuming and sometimes confusing. This is where we can help you.

We will prepare and submit all paperwork to Pegasus on your behalf, leaving you to focus on what you do best – running your business.

Pegasus is a web based OHS/WHS prequalification system, developed so that you can demonstrate your health and safety capabilities to current and potential clients.

How does it work:
✓ Our specialists will collect all the necessary information for completion of Pegasus certification;
✓ We will prepare and submit all OHS/WHS documentation, licensing records and insurances on your behalf; and
✓ Pegasus will send you your certificate.

Our customers have 100% PEGASUS certification success.

Call the experts today on 1300 789 132 to get a free quote, in five minutes.

How to quickly migrate from ISO/TS 16949:2009 to IATF 16949

On 1 October 2016, The International Organization for Standardization  (ISO) and International Automotive Task Force (IATF), released the first edition of the new standard for the automotive sector IATF 16949:2016

The new standard will replace ISO/TS 16949 and outline the quality management system requirements for organizations working in automotive production, service and/or accessory parts of the automotive industry

The new standard has been developed to bring it into alignment with the recently overhauled ISO 9001:2015

If your customers require you to maintain ISO/TS 16949 certification, start planning your transition. Here are some timelines to work to:
Organisations certified to ISO/TS 16949:2009 will need to transition to IATF 16949, through a transition audit in line with the current audit cycle for ISO/TS 16949:2009

After October 1, 2017 no audits (initial, surveillance, re-certification or transfer) will be conducted to ISO/TS 16949:2009

ISO/TS 16949:2009 certificate will only be valid until 14 September 2018

ISOsafe have helped many businesses successfully and seamlessly transition. Get in touch with us today for a free quote in five minutes, email us at: enquiries@isosafe.com.au or why not speak to one of our friendly consultants on 1300 789 132

Two workplace deaths in just over 24 hours

Earlier this week two workplace deaths resulting from falls were reported. The first incident took place on Tuesday 25 October, 2016 where a man plunged to his death at a construction site in Sydney's northwest. Police officers who first arrived at the scene administered CPR until paramedics arrived, but the man died at the scene. A crime scene has been established and police have begun working with SafeWork NSW to investigate. 

The next day another workplace related death was reported where a man fell to his death at a construction site. The sub-contractor was working at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre Expansion project in South Wharf when he fell from a piece of equipment about 3.30pm. Union officials said the man was a boilermaker aged in his 50s, who was operating a boom lift on the work site. A witness said he heard screaming and yelling at the building site. "I looked up and there was a man slumped on the lift. Everyone was yelling and screaming and stuff and trying to wake him up," the man told Channel 10. The man was a member of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and came from a family heavily involved in the state's construction industry, officials said. The South Wharf site is operated by national construction firm Probuild. Probuild Group managing director Simon Gray said his thoughts were with the man's family. "It is with great sadness that we confirm a fatality involving an employee of one of our sub-contractors occurred this afternoon at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre Expansion project. "Our sincerest thoughts and condolences are with all those impacted - family, friends and workmates. "We are awaiting further details on the incident and are cooperating fully with Victoria Police and WorkSafe Victoria. Support and counselling is being offered to all affected construction workers and staff." The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union and the AMWU sent safety officials to the work site on Wednesday afternoon. WorkSafe is investigating and police will prepare a report for the coroner.

No doubt, the impact of these incidents will extend beyond the family and friends of these workers… Business owners should protect their workers, including subbies. Don’t risk non-compliance, contact ISOsafe today on 1300 789 132 to learn more about our services for Australian businesses