Integrated Management Systems – Advantages To Blend Quality, Ohs And Environmental Management System

The particular Integrated Management Systems (IMS) has grow to be a hot theme not just among manufacturing institutions but in addition among several service organizations for example construction. The primary reason for this trend is due to the increasing quantity of management systems or standards which are implemented globally. IMS requires the amalgamation of several individual management systems such as AS/NZS ISO 9001, AS/NZS ISO 14001, AS/NZS 4801 and many a lot more. Therefore, the main objective of an IMS would be to manage an organisation by way of a single harmonized management system as opposed to several management systems.

The idea of IMS became extremely relevant with all the introduction and implementation of ISO 14001 which envisaged integrated organizational approach (or systems approach) to environmental sustainability. In the same way, IMS has turn out to be much more crucial with all the introduction of many standards. As more and more management systems are obtainable today, it is crucial for any organization to perform towards a harmonized, easy and easily implementable IMS.

It is extremely most likely that any organization implementing AS/NZS ISO 14001 (or the environmental management program), has a quality management program (such asISO 9001) currently in spot. Nowadays, not merely clients but additionally regulatory authorities insist that the suppliers or service institutions (for example construction organisations) should implement AS/NZS ISO 9001 High quality Management Systems (QMS) although moving towards ISO 14001.

When a person pay attention to the AS/NZS ISO 9001, AS/NZS ISO 14001 and AS/NZS 4801 Occupational Health &Safety (OHS), he/she would find that all these systems have numerous common processes and procedures. Also, its important to note that there are no ISO standards for OHS. However, implementation OHS or adhering to OHS requirements in an organization may be easy if it has the QMS and EMS accreditation currently in place.

Why any organization aims for IMS ?

In order to hold on to or satisfy consumers, many businesses mandate its suppliers or service providers (for example construction contractors) developing and implementing their own high quality, OHS and environmental management systems.

To overcome trade barriers, several companies or construction companies (operating in global markets like USA, EU, and Australasia) adapt and implement ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditations. Such accreditations not just enhance the image of any organization globally as top quality and environmentally conscious organization but additionally such an organization is readily accepted by customers in the global markets.

Cost lowering through lower insurance payments: – Numerous businesses that have implemented AS/NZS ISO 14001 and AS/NZS 4801 can be eligible for reduced Insurance premium offered by insurance companies. The organisations such as construction businesses which are running in highly risky and constantly changing function environment may be able to get appreciable benefit via IMS which comprised of AS/NZS ISO 9001, AS/NZS ISO 14001 and AS/NZS 4801.

It demonstrates not merely their commitment to quality and also its adherence to processes and procedures required for the safety of the workers at the work place including the environment.

To enhance the effectiveness of the QMS, EMS and OHS,
To demonstrate the sensitiveness to the environment and commitment to safety by doing the right thing at the first time, as described in ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and AS/NZS 4801.
To decrease the manufacturing and operating costs and enhance Return on Investment (ROI) by way of implementation of QMS, EMS and OHS

Besides above, any business can get a higher ROI through IMS which utilizes the advantage of similarities of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and AS/NZS 4801. Also, it can reduce ambiguities and confusion amongst employees when implementing the QMS, EMS and OHS associated standards.

Current data show that numerous companies have successfully integrated partially or fully all the management systems. For example, automotive, electronics, steel, chemical and service (construction industry) industries have demonstrated the effectiveness of IMS through improved ROI. In essence, they were capable to lessen operating expenses, time required to implement the processes, complexity (or ambiguity) of the management systems, through IMS. Similarly, such companies were able to have higher employee satisfaction and moral by way of integrated or simplified strategy to defining perform instructions or job descriptions and tasks or performance standards.

There are several advantages could be derived through implementation of an IMS in an organization:

Since QMS, EMS and OHS has similarities, all three can be simply combined to have common organizational goals and objectives;
Can have a harmonized and simplified management program in the organization; in essence, workers or staff can be provided with one set of clear instructions as opposed to multiple instructions that can lead to confusion and conflicts. Therefore, much documentation and reporting on each program can be minimized.
The training of employees can be streamlined under single system rather than multiple training required under numerous systems.
Optimum use of resources resulting from maintaining a single process for all activities required under IMS. In other words, staff training, document control, management review, corrective and preventive actions need only less time and effort compared to implementing multiple management systems.
Can enhance organizational performance in terms of reduced customer complaints, product non-conformities, accident, well being and environmental related risks; similarly, it can reduce high quality related risks or issues as well.
It helps the organization to combine high quality, environmental and OHS objectives into the overarching corporate strategy.
It emphasise the top management and the staff at all levels to consider quality, environment and safety with equal priority.
It puts in location a broad agenda for continual improvement of high quality, environmental and OHS systems.

In summing up, one can conclude that Integrated Management Program will allow any construction organization (or any other) to combine top quality (AS/NZS ISO 9001), Environment (AS/NZS ISO14001) and Wellness and Safety (AS/NZS 4801) into a single management program. It will not only make the organization effective in terms of compliance on quality, environmental and wellness & safety but also be able to improve its efficiency and productivity resulting in higher ROI.