Rank: Forum user 
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Hi All,
I'm drawing up the strategic plan for H&S progress for my firm over the next 5 years. We have some good and some poor mgt procedures, risk assessments and training programmes but I'm thinking we could be benefit from an external assessment and recognised programme. Has anyone gone through the Positioning exercise and implemented 18001 and if so has it any benefits to the business (safety performance and payback) and any drawbacks to the having the system? I have contacted a couple of consultancy (provided via insurance company) but i not sure of the costs involved in the process.
If anyone could provide any advice that would be great!
Cheers
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Rank: Super forum user 
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It all depends on what the aims are in gaining 18001 is it to improve the management systems and give you a yard stick to work by and therefore improve overall safety. Is it to win new contracts and therefore have external verification that your systems are monitored and are good or is it to gain an award to show employees that you are doing something about safety. The British Safety Council have a five star audit, which is costly but looks at your management system over a 3 day audit and you can incorporate 18001 in this audit if you wish at I suppose some extra cost, if you get 5 stars then you can apply for the sword of honour (only 40 awarded world wide per year)and then there's the International award (no I don't work for BSC). I like both systems I think it keeps a focus on safety although 18001 seems to be more readily acceptable.
Decide the reasons and then seek further advice, but I would have an external auditor in before either as it could end up a costly exercise having the auditors from either body carry out the pre audit..
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Rank: Forum user
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I am an external consultant and one of my clients is in their second year of 9001, 14001 and 18001
Carried out properly, with everyone on board 18001 can be a great benefit, however, from personal experience, 18001 is, by and large a paper exercise and accreditation can be achieved and maintained very easily and may not necessarily stand up against close scrutiny from knowledgeable practioners.
My client achieved 18001 with the input of two people (and I was one of the two)
In short... If the whole company embraces the systems and structure of the standard, it can be used as a valuable tool, if not, then it can be construed as a waste of money.
Best of luck
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Rank: Forum user
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If your company do have an existing quality system better to use it for an integrated system by reviewing your existing documentation and have both safety reactive and proactive performance indicators, balance scorecard,… .
Policies, Processes / Procedures needs amendment to cross refer to safe system of work / risk assessment, work instructions, etc.
Benefits of merged systems are highlighted in IOSH doc title “Joined up working”.
Not so difficult work.
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Rank: New forum user
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I would consider BS programme - Check out the Food and Drink Group website and the number of case studies that are now live and how they have driven safety performance forward- the best results are through employee engagement.
http://www.iosh.co.uk/gr...ural_safety_project.aspx
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Rank: Super forum user 
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You may wish to consider just working to the requirements of 18001 and not having it externally certified. Some of these companies can charge thousands depending on the size of the business (we had all 3 and cost us £10k a year). A further factor is deciding if your clients want it, either now or possibly in the future. Implementing any of these (inc 14001 or 9001) will make you look at what you have in a slightly different way, and may help cut duplication, unnecessary work or just make things more efficient.
You can also build up a good rapport with the auditor and prime them to help you with anything you may be having difficulty in convincing the rest of the management about.
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Rank: Super forum user
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As was said above there's many benefits / reasons to work to a management system standard like 18001.
If you're wanting a well-proven and understood framework why not start with HSG65 (which will cost nothing) and then, once it's working and makes sense, if you want what 18001 accreditation offers it should be an easy process to go for that instead of spending thousands trying to make 18001 work from the start.
Good luck!
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