Welcome to the August edition of our QHSE ABERDEEN Newsletter!
Firstly we would like to share our own good news… we have just attained re-certification for our IMS, the 3 ISO Standards ISO 9001 Quality, ISO 14001 Environmental and ISO 45001 Health & Safety, highlighting our commitment to delivering exceptional quality, maintaining environmental sustainability, and ensuring the health and safety of our team and stakeholders. We are a company that truly practices what it preaches when it comes to quality, health, safety, and environmental standards.
Moreover, QHSE ABERDEEN has recently re-achieved Cyber Essentials certification, showcasing our dedication to protecting our valuable data and maintaining strong cybersecurity practices. In this digital age, this certification further demonstrates our proactive approach to safeguarding our systems and ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of our information. Also, our ICO Certification (You must pay a data protection fee to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you’re a business, organisation or sole trader processing personal data, unless you’re exempt.) This is on top of our ISO 27001 Information Security Management Systems which protects our Information and just as importantly our customers!
But it doesn’t stop there! QHSE ABERDEEN is also leading the charge toward a greener future. We have embraced sustainability by becoming Carbon Neutral certified and we are at present going through PAS 2060 Verification, taking significant steps to reduce our carbon footprint and mitigate the impact of our operations on the environment. As part of our commitment to sustainability, we have also introduced a cycle-to-work scheme, encouraging our employees to opt for eco-friendly commuting options and promoting a healthier lifestyle. In an exciting move towards sustainable transportation, we are proud to announce that QHSE ABERDEEN has recently purchased its first electric vehicle. By incorporating electric vehicles into our fleet, we are not only reducing our carbon emissions but also embracing innovative and cleaner transportation solutions.
STAFF
We have just onboarded 2 new staff members to our team, so welcome to both, who will be available to assist you with any QHSE issues, Training or developing ISO Management systems. Due to recent contract wins, we are still on the lookout for a mid-senior level QHSE Advisor to help with the workload, if you have the skills or know someone who may be interested, please share or apply here.
Anyway, that’s enough about us !!! 😊
CLIENT ISO CERTIFICATION
Several of our clients have also attained re-certification to their chosen ISO Standards, Congratulations to all concerned, it’s only by continually improving your systems you manage this.
The easiest way to ensure you pass the re-certification ISO audits is by maintaining a strong and robust Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE) management system. Regularly review and update your policies, procedures, and documentation to align with ISO standards. Conduct internal audits to identify and address potential non-conformities proactively. Implement corrective actions promptly if any issues are found. Continuously train and engage your staff to ensure they are well-versed in ISO requirements. By consistently adhering to ISO standards and demonstrating a commitment to improvement, you increase your chances of passing the re-certification audits successfully.
TOOLKITS
We have a selection of ready-made, TOOLKITS for sale on our website.
e.g. ISO 9001 Quality Management System Toolkit
Our pack provides you with the full list of documents, organised in line with the ISO 9001:2015 standard ready for use. Achieving compliance and certification is made easy with our documentation kit. Ideal for businesses who want to utilise a proven and efficient, ready-to-use system that includes 61 documents, comprising of: A Quality Manual, Procedures, Policies, Objectives, Forms & Registers which will meet and exceed the requirements of ISO 9001, giving you real added value to your organisation.
Contact us for more details or a FREE demonstration via Teams.
ISO AUDITOR COURSES
Our next ISO Auditor Course is ISO 14001 Environmental Foundation 1 day course on the 28th of August followed by the 2 day day Internal Auditor Course.
See a list of Auditor courses we deliver below.
QUALITY ISO 9001 Foundation
ISO 9001 Internal Auditor
ISO 9001 Lead Auditor
ENVIRONMENTAL ISO 14001 Foundation
ISO 14001 Internal Auditor
ISO 14001 Lead Auditor
HEALTH & SAFETY ISO 45001 Foundation
ISO 45001 Internal Auditor
ISO 45001 Lead Auditor
INTEGRATED SYSTEM ISO 9/14/45 Internal Auditor
INFORMATION SECURITY ISO 27001 Foundation
ISO 27001 Internal Auditor
ISO 27001 Lead Auditor
API API Q1 & Q2 – Foundation
Please contact us for our schedule.
Work-related fatality figures published by HSE
“One hundred and thirty-five workers were killed in work-related incidents in Great Britain in the last year, according to figures published in July by the Health and Safety Executive.
The industries with the highest deaths were construction (45), agriculture, forestry, and fishing (21), manufacturing (15), and transportation and storage (15). Agriculture, forestry, and fishing has the highest rate of fatal injury per 100,000 workers of all the main industrial sectors followed by waste and recycling.
The three most common causes of fatal injuries are falls from height (40), being struck by a moving object (29), and being struck by a moving vehicle (20).
The total of 135 worker deaths in 2022/23 is higher than the previous year (123) but is in line with pre-pandemic levels. The figure for 2020/21 was 145.
HSE has also published the annual figures for Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by past exposure to asbestos. The figures show 2,268 people died from the disease in 2021. This is a fall of 302 compared with the 2,570 deaths in 2020 and substantially lower than the average of 2,520 deaths per year over the period 2012-2019.
Asbestos-related diseases take decades to develop. Most people with them today will largely have been exposed before the tightening of controls and the use of asbestos was banned in 1999.
The UK is still one of the safest places in the world to work”.
LEGAL UPDATES
Packaging Waste (Data Reporting) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2023/25/contents
Outlines the requirements on producers who are established in NI to collect data on the packaging they supply to others, and, in some cases, to report some of that information to DAERA.
Packaging Waste (Data Reporting) (Scotland) Regulations 2023
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2023/7/contents/made
Outlines the requirements on producers who are established in Scotland to collect data on the packaging they supply to others, and, in some cases, to report some of that information to SEPA.
Packaging Waste (Data Reporting) (England) Regulations 2023
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/219/contents/made
Outlines the requirements on producers who are established in England to collect data on the packaging they supply to others, and, in some cases, to report some of that information to the Environment Agency.
Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection) Regulations 2023
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/568/contents/made
HSE launches manufacturing inspection initiative focusing on respiratory risks from silica
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors have begun a targeted inspection initiative focusing on manufacturing businesses where materials that contain silica are used. This will include brick and tile manufacturers and foundries. Employers have a legal duty to create suitable arrangements to manage health and safety and ensure they comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH).
If your organisation requires assistance with CosHH Risk Assessments contact us for advice or details of training courses.
Remember, a Safety Data Sheet does not substitute for a CoSHH assessment.
GENERAL HEALTH & SAFETY
As an employer, you must appoint a competent person, or people to help you meet your Health & Safety legal duties.
Here at QHSE ABERDEEN, we can act as your competent person. Our Advisors have the skills, knowledge and expertise to be able to recognise hazards in your business.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Over the past 6 weeks, we have been featuring on LinkedIn, some of the questions we get asked..
“How do you write a policy?”
“What’s a PUWER Assessment?”
“Should we postpone the audit until we have identified and fixed all the issues?”
“What is the difference between a Risk Assessment and a Method Statement?”
You can see all our answers to these and other questions on our LinkedIn page. Follow us to see all our hints and tips on all things QHSE.
The Safety Expo 2023
21 September 2023 at P&J Live, Aberdeen.
The North-east’s only dedicated QHSE event is back and bigger than ever before, showcasing local safety-related solutions, products, and services.
We will be exhibiting, so why not pop along and join us for a coffee.
Book your FREE place here.
That’s all for this issue of our QHSE Newsletter! We hope you found the information valuable and time well-spent. Remember, investing in QHSE best practices leads to improved performance, increased stakeholder confidence, and a safer work environment. Stay tuned for our next issue, packed with more useful tips and updates.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions, suggestions, or topics you’d like us to cover. Until next time, stay safe, and keep up the great work!
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