Rank: Super forum user 
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Help Wanted!
I work in a charity as the H&S manager, I have been told that they want a 5 year plan, they want to achieve 18001 is one target but that is in 5 years time.
Alot of the cultural change will come from that, i.e. improving policies, changing with legislation, training etc. What else? I have been told by some collegues that they don't see H&S as strategic and it fits in with everything rather than standing independantly, this has always been the case in other idustries I have worked in.
Any thoughts, ideas etc are welcome.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Invictus
It's a big question - there are many pros and cons. Really you need to consider how achieving registration will improve h&s in your organisation given the time, cost and effort in achieving 18001 status. I have worked for a number of organisations who have 18001 and I cannot say h&s is any better than those that don't.
As a rule certification is driven by clients, otherwise I don't think many would bother - probably says more about the benefits than anything else I could add.
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Rank: Forum user 
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Invictus,
I would look at what you currently have and what 18001 requires and conduct a gap analysis.
This in a very simplistic way will drive your plan. You will then be in a position to apportion costs, time, resource etc.
Also bear in mind the transition to 45001.
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Rank: Forum user
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Just a side comment, in 5 years time 18001 is likely to be 45001 (subject to all the ongoing politics). Don't strive for accreditation to a standard that may not be there in the near future.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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James Robinson wrote:Just a side comment, in 5 years time 18001 is likely to be 45001 (subject to all the ongoing politics). Don't strive for accreditation to a standard that may not be there in the near future.
..ditto. Article on SHP online today written by an individual who works for BSI stating that you can use the draft 45001 to prepare for its roll out. (http://www.shponline.co.uk/46986-2/)
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Rank: Super forum user
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I would only add, don't make the mistake of thinking that certification to any standard will resolve all of your problems, it won't. If done with the right mind set, of making genuine improvements to your management of health and safety, it should improve things, but if not done correctly it can become a box-ticking exercise to keep the auditor happy. This was always the criticism of quality standards, that you could produce rubbish as long as you did it consistently.
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Rank: Super forum user
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The original "Management System" Standards have been revised several times and if your have a engaged a reputed Certification Body, it is unlikely that one can get certification with rubbish in and rubbish out--especially with the proposed ISO 45001
Do a gap analysis and prioritise actions, especially the "Safety Culture" related ones as improving "Safety Culture" , if it is not at a mature/constructive level will take time. Last, but not least, the resourcing if important.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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quote=Invictus]Help Wanted!
I work in a charity as the H&S manager, I have been told that they want a 5 year plan, they want to achieve 18001 is one target but that is in 5 years time.
Alot of the cultural change will come from that, i.e. improving policies, changing with legislation, training etc. What else? I have been told by some collegues that they don't see H&S as strategic and it fits in with everything rather than standing independantly, this has always been the case in other idustries I have worked in.
Any thoughts, ideas etc are welcome.
I hope you don't mind my suggestion, I mean no offence by it. As it is a charity, I'm not sure what end user would insist on you gaining 18001 / 45001, but this is not a cheap thing to do and will cost many thousands of pounds (10's of) the charity could use for doing good. You could always work to the standard, but just not have it externally verified. Of course it may not do, a H&S bod trying to save money may be frown upon :0)
I think H&S can be strategic, think to the past with Volvo aiming their adverts to show the H&S aspect. I obviously don't know what charity you work for so can not make any suggestions on strategy. However as well as policies you will need to sort out paperwork and working methods so gives you the opportunity to look for wasted effort , even inefficient working (internal red tape).
This was some years ago and for ISO9001 but I found when the company won a new job the contract and details took up a large lever arch file. I then found this was copied 5 times for various directors and managers. Wasting paper and someone time to do it. When I asked the recipients of the file copies do the need their own or could they share, they all said they could share if it was in a central location. , Admin happy at not spending a few hours at the copier, Accounts happy less paper used, even the photo copier was happy. Not only that, we didn't need to ensure the files remained in sync.
When you do a gap analysis as noted above to the standard, it only tells you part of what is needed. Having an efficient system is not just compliance to one of these standards. So at gap analysis time also stand back and look at what you as a charity don't do well or is overly complex and look for improvements. What would You like to improve ? Also at the start find out from whatever individuals wanted to go this route what they hope to achieve in the long run and ensure this is met in your 5 year plan.
Don't know if any of this helps, but good luck.
Chris
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Rank: Forum user
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Why question the need for certification?
I think supporters of a charity would be more likely to so if they understood that the charity have vision to protect their staff, clients and business and the environment its all to do with credibility. Certification demonstrates that you have systems that meet a standard and that you strive to continually improve. Rather that take what you get and do minimal with it. Charities still have a reputation to protect.
I would go with the GAP analysis process for 18001/14001/50001. I would also think about a cultural survey of all staff to give some internal insights of H&S and Env (maybe even pulse your clients). and also maybe a compliance review (which would be part of the certification process anyway).
Priorities the actions from easy fixes and immediate needs through to long term goals
G
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Rank: Super forum user
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fairlieg wrote:Why question the need for certification?
I think supporters of a charity would be more likely to so if they understood that the charity have vision to protect their staff, clients and business and the environment its all to do with credibility. Certification demonstrates that you have systems that meet a standard and that you strive to continually improve. Rather that take what you get and do minimal with it. Charities still have a reputation to protect.
I would go with the GAP analysis process for 18001/14001/50001. I would also think about a cultural survey of all staff to give some internal insights of H&S and Env (maybe even pulse your clients). and also maybe a compliance review (which would be part of the certification process anyway).
14001 has been taken care of as we have just had the ESOS completed and this is 5 yearly, not sure it was worth the money we paid as they suggested very little but legally you need it or 14001.
I don't have a problem with 18001 as this is a five year target and we do bid for other business so at times it might be useful,
I have looked at reducing the paper work and have put use of technology as a target for improvement (iAuditor) I have been trialling it and making the changers.
The policies are a bit weak, one page covers all but doesn't really say anything, who, what when and how if you know what I mean so that could be an improvement.
Priorities the actions from easy fixes and immediate needs through to long term goals
G
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Rank: Super forum user
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quote=fairlieg]Why question the need for certification?
Why not, it costs nothing and if it is needed in full then all well and good do it and if not then there may be money to be saved. You can still do everything and internally audit your own compliance, but all I questioned was the need to then also pay an external company to come and also check at not an inconsiderable sum.
It was only a suggestion.
And the other parts my opinion only, to look for weaknesses in current working methods ( related to H&S), find out aspirations of other stake holders (internal and external if possible),do a gap analysis and your plan will write itself.
Chris
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Rank: Forum user
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Obtaining OHSAS certification could form part of a strategy but is not a strategy in itself.
Why don't people in your organisation see H&S as being strategic? Is it seen to be reactive or lacking in aim?
Your H&S strategy should be aligned with your organisations overall business strategy and it should be clear how your department contributes to it's success.
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Rank: Super forum user
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HSG 65 (which can be downloaded free from the HSE web site) was updated so that the "Plan, Do Check, Act" cycle matched the strategic modeling for other parts of business. I believe it was developed originally by W. Edwards Deming in the 1950's so it can be referred to as the Deming model (not all sources agree this). If you google (other search engines are available) you will find its application over many companies and applications.
So if you follow the guidance in HSG65 I believe you would have a strategic plan.
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Rank: Super forum user
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sorry I realize I have only half answered your question. If you wish to gain ISO accreditation or any other accreditation you would first need to audit to see how far you are away from the standard. You could then use HSG65 to plan a strategy to achieve that standard. This may be how many times you will go round the cycle or part cycle (remember it does not have to take a full year) to determine if action was making any improvements.
However I do agree with other comments about what benefit achieving the standard will get you based on cost. But ultimately that for you to decide. It may not affect contracts as you probably don't submit for them but for some I know the benefit is simply having the standard on your letterhead. A bit like the old Investors in People. (Not sure if that's still about)
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Rank: Forum user
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The OP related to a 5 year plan, of which ISO certification is part of.....H&S needs to underpin the business performance and can really only do that if it's aligned with the business strategy which I guess is pretty obvious.
So, where does the charity want to be in 5 years? How does Brexit etc affect it? What forthcoming legislation changes are likely to affect how the charity operates? What about the new Sentencing Guidelines? Can the recent HSE 5 year Strat Plan be used too etc etc
Pete
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