We have successfully made the transition to the new BS EN ISO 9001:2015 and 14001:2015 standards.
These replace the previous BS EN ISO 9001: 2008 quality management and BS EN ISO 14001:2004 environmental standards.
The new standards formalise and improve our planning to address risks and opportunities throughout our business.
They cover the scope of our works:
- recruitment, selection, control and competency management of temporary and permanent personnel
- project management and contracting for the building, civils, highways, rail, power services, nuclear, water and aviation industries.
The auditor from Exova BM TRADA visited our head office on 24 January 2017 for the ‘transition audit’. He checked how we meet the requirements of the new standards. The stringent audit examined our organisational context (internal and external) and business plan. It also considered
- leadership commitment, policies
- planning
- support
- operation
- improvement
- performance evaluation.
For each clause of the ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 standards, we presented evidence of how we meet the requirements, which the auditor reviewed and verified. He spent time with Laurence Mckidd, MD, John Hannan (HSQE director), Terry Dutton-Wells, non-exec director and Chantal Austin, HSQE coordinator.
“Comprehensive” systems and records
We are pleased to have passed the audit with no non-conformities. The auditor’s report mentioned that our “system and operational records are comprehensive.” He also said: “The delivery of services (labour supply and priced works) is well defined and managed with a comprehensive set of procedures in place.”
“The new standards are very different to what went before,” said Laurence Mckidd, managing director. “They’re much more about senior management involvement, and supporting businesses to grow and succeed. We did an in-depth examination of the context of the organisation, to identify the needs of external and external parties and other issues that could have an effect on how we deliver our services. The process was very thorough and demonstrates that we are well-positioned to take VGC into 2018 and beyond.”
We are also accredited to OHSAS 18001 safety (to become the international standard 45001) and ISO 50001 energy management.
