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Criteria and Issues of Integrated Quality, Environment and OHS Management System

Author: John Villiers
by John Villiers
Posted: Apr 26, 2017

The term Integrated Management System audit has been used for several different types of IMS (EQHSMS) investigations. Confusions has arisen between the terms have been used to describe the same or overlapping activities. The term IMS (EQHSMS) audit has also been used to describe three different activities.

  • The compliance / performance audit used to determine the enterprise's compliance with laws and standards,
  • The audit of an IMS (EQHSMS) report,
  • And the IMS (EQHSMS) management system audit used to review the implementation of an IMS (EQHSMS).

The development of international IMS (EQHSMS) management standards has now provided some clarification and basis for differentiating between terms.

The Initial IMS (EQHSMS) Review establishes the baseline data on the IMS (EQHSMS) status and effects of the enterprise. It usually is an activity carried out once prior to the development of an IMS (EQHSMS) quality, environmental and ohsas management system. Whereas the IMS (EQHSMS) Management System Audit, on the other hand, is used to assess how well the IMS (EQHSMS) is functioning.

EQHSMS Integrated System Audit:

A systematic, documented verification process of objectively obtaining and evaluating audit evidence events, condition or information about these matters, conform to audit criteria, and communicating ate results of this process to the client.

What is EQHSMS Audit?

A systematic, documented verification process of objectively obtaining and evaluating audit evidence to determine whether an organisation's IMS (EQHSMS) conforms with the IMS (EQHSMS) audit criteria, and communicating the results of this process to the client.

IMS (EQHSMS) audit as per ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards criteria are defined as the policies practices procedures or requirements. Such as covered by ISO 14001 and, if applicable, any additional IMS (EQHSMS) requirements, against which the auditor compares, collected audit evidence about the organisation's IMS (EQHSMS)).

In other words, within the overall IMS (EQHSMS) management system, IMS (EQHSMS) audits are used to determine whether IMS (EQHSMS) management activities conform to the stated programme, whether these activities are effectively implemented, and how effective the IMS (EQHSMS) management system is in fulfilling the IMS (EQHSMS) policy.

For convenience, the IMS (EQHSMS) Management System Audits will be referred to here as "IMS (EQHSMS) audits". IMS (EQHSMS) audits are referred to in Principle 16 Compliance and Reporting of the ICC Business Charter for Sustainable Development.

The IMS (EQHSMS) audit should focus on the IMS (EQHSMS) objectives and action plans of the organisations to allow problem are as to be identified so that remedial action can be taken. The audit is a means of assisting managers at all levels to improve the performance of the operations under their control. It is not a check on how well people are doing their job!

Criteria and Issues of an Integrated Management System Audit:

In executing and IMS (EQHSMS) - audit, one should always keep in mind that the basic questions that should be answered are:

"Is the IMS (EQHSMS) complete?

Does it contain all the necessary elements? Answering this question is clearer if the organisation use an IMS (EQHSMS) standard as a reference. Then the elements, which should be there, are described very clearly.

Checks may need to cover:

  • IMS (EQHSMS)policy
  • IMS (EQHSMS) program
  • Organizational structure, tasks, responsibilities, authorities
  • Internal and external communications
  • Procedures, instructions
  • Training and competence
  • Measuring and recording
  • Corrective mechanisms
  • IMS (EQHSMS)auditing and management review processes
  • Emergency procedures and plans

The IMS (EQHSMS) system has to be implemented with planned approach and target date has to be fixed for smooth installation of ISO: 14001. The general steps listed below has to be planned with target dates for IMS (EQHSMS) installation

  • Conduct IMS (EQHSMS)): 18001-awareness program (top + middle + bottom level).
  • Form a steering committee and task force for documentation
  • Identification of All Possible IMS (EQHSMS) Aspects to the company.
  • Brainstorming On Impacts of All Possible Aspects. Identification of Most Significant Aspects.
  • Define IMS (EQHSMS) Policy, Objectives and Targets.
  • Prepare documents of IMS (EQHSMS) management system, Records, Legal Requirements.
  • Train all for IMS (EQHSMS) Policy and for achieving Objectives & Targets.
  • Communication to all including Suppliers and Interested parties.
  • Implementation & train all personnel in the use of procedures & formats.
  • Reparation and Implementation of IMS (EQHSMS) programme.
  • Train internal auditors.
  • Assess the system through first internal audit.
  • Take corrective actions for non-conformities.
  • Apply for certification.
  • Assess the system through second round of internal audit.
  • Avail onsite document adequacy of certifying body.
  • Take actions on suggestions given by them.
  • Final audit by certifying body.
  • Author Bio:

    My name is John, I have written many articles and blogs about IMS Documents and other international standards. Mostly I have found throughout my experience in developing IMS documents that IMS manual, EQHSMS Procedures and audit checklists are key requirements. I have also worked for many years as an IMS Certification with leading consultancy company in USA.

About the Author

John Villiers has published many articles regarding ISO Certification. John has rich experience as a online publisher and prepared various Certification documents as per ISO guideline since large amount of years in his professional career.

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Author: John Villiers

John Villiers

Member since: Oct 01, 2013
Published articles: 15

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