Following a recent external audit of our company’s ISO 9001 Quality, ISO 14001 Environmental, and ISO 45001 Health & Safety standards, we are thrilled to announce that we have achieved a pass for all of these standards, with ZERO non-conformances identified or observations noted.
But, beyond the audit report, what exactly does this mean in terms of compliance?
We asked Lewis Hunt, HSQE Manager for Soilfix, a few questions on the auditing process.
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What are the processes for auditing our Business Management System?
The processes for auditing the Soilfix BMS are based around specific key areas associated with the Quality management system. Soilfix needs to demonstrate adherence to these areas and this is done by carrying out scheduled internal auditing at regular intervals. The audit process targets identified areas where internal auditors must find worked examples to be used as evidence, demonstrating the management system is effective and meeting the stated objectives. External auditors, appointed through an accredited third party, then undertake annual audits to check that what the Soilfix BMS states is being followed and executed in accordance with the International Organization Standardization (ISO), whether that be ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environmental) and 45001 (Occupational H&S).
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What specific areas are the auditors looking at for potential non-conformances?
Non-conformances can be identified by auditors anywhere an objective is stated, and there is no available evidence to demonstrate it is being met. This can be in any area of the respective ISO standard being audited. An example is where the organisation has not clearly stated its context in relation to its scope and the affect interested parties can have. To demonstrate this, Soilfix has to specify the scope it operates in, i.e., remediation and how its activities can impact cultural, environmental, economic and social aspects. If this cannot be demonstrated via available evidence then the auditor can issue a minor or major non-conformance based on the level of infringement, or indeed if this is a regular occurrence previously highlighted in earlier audits.
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How does our company demonstrate compliance with our Business Management System (BMS)?
As previously explained, Soilfix has appointed internal auditors working to an agreed schedule to ensure all areas of the BMS are audited across a rolling 12-month period. Sections of the BMS are interrogated so that evidence can be selected, either from operational sites, or the main offices and submitted as part of the objective evidence of the audit. The auditor will then draw their conclusions on the suitability of the evidence and provide their subjective comments as part of the internal audit report. This is all in collaboration with the department head of the area the audit is being carried out against. Any recommendations for improvement and / non-conformance are recorded on a register with agreed actions assigned to the appropriate persons. The audit reports are then communicated to the senior management team and the board of directors.
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Soilfix consistently meets our external audit standards – does this create a challenge for compliance due to our auditors ‘raising the bar’ next time?
As with any accreditation and system where performance against set requirements can be measured, it is important that Soilfix continues to strive for continual improvement. This is in fact one of the requirements of all ISO standards whereby performance evaluation and improvement form a significant challenge to ensure systems are maintained and evolved during the process. This is evidenced by the fact Soilfix is on its sixth version of the integrated manual which the internal auditors can use to support them in auditing the BMS. This will undoubtedly continue and Soilfix will maintain its objectives to measure both performance and its aims to continually raise the bar.
