SCS are delighted to confirm that Wilton Recycling have been awarded registration in accordance with the requirements of the ISO9001 Quality, ISO14001 Environmental, and ISO45001 Occupational Health & Safety, Management Systems, across their sites at Kiffa, Co Cavan (HQ), Naas, Co Kildare and Ballycoolin, Dublin on 13th September 2023.
Founded in Co. Cavan as a family run business, Wilton Recycling provide Waste Collection, Skip Hire, Recycling and Material Recovery Services, as well as Demolition activities, throughout the heart of Ireland, Northern Ireland, UK and further afield. For more information on their services, you can visit their website.
In line with their sustainable growth ambitions, Wilton’s management contacted SCS on referral from another satisfied SCS client in the Waste Sector. With multiple activities across multiple sites for multiple standards, we produced a proposal based on a sampling plan and implemented an initial two stage certification audit process to visit all sites and processes, whilst engaging as many Wilton personnel in the process as possible.
“Wilton Recycling Management continue to develop the company’s profile throughout the recycling industry and part of that journey was to achieve certification to ISO standards 9001, 14001 & 45001. I was given the job to prepare the sites for the Staged audits and ensure that all the requirements in the standards were complied with. Following completion of stage one audits by SCS and with the help of my colleagues Ashling Fingleton (Wilton Recycling) Mairead Farrell (Qcservices) and the site employees we were ready for the stage two audit. Wilton Recycling stepped up to the mark and the company was recommended by SCS to receive the integrated management system for ISO 9001, 14001 & 45001. This is a great achievement for the company and many thanks to all for their help and commitment” Michael Whelan H&S Manager Wilton Recycling.
To achieve certification across three diverse sites with multi- faceted permit and licensing obligations for three sets of standard requirements, is to be commended. This could only be achieved through the focused leadership and commitment of senior management and their competent site managers.
“What truly sets Wilton apart is their strong leadership and unyielding commitment to these standards. Throughout the audit process we’ve witnessed their active engagement with senior management and their genuine care for the audit process, along with a remarkable level of compliance across all aspects of their operations.” Danielle, Lead Auditor, SCS.
It is refreshing to hear Wilton personnel acknowledge that the achievement of certification is just the beginning of their journey in pursuit of improvement for the benefit of internal and external stakeholders. We note by the time we got together for this photograph, Wilton Recycling are looking forward to the imminent opening of their newly built SRF plant in Corranure, Co. Cavan.
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We wish everyone at Wilton Recycling well in their respective activities and are grateful for the opportunity to play a small part in assisting the realisation of their strategic objectives.
For more information on how certification could help your organisation please visit our website.
The Taylor Group have been in business since 2010 with many years of experience before then, helping customer in the construction sector with extensive services including Asbestos Removal, Building Maintenance, Refurbishment, Roofing and Groundworks.
The addition of Certification against the requirements of ISO9001 Quality Management Systems is another indicator of the organisation’s continuing commitment to their existing and future customers, as well as being reflective of their intent to conduct their business responsibility.
The Taylor Group Managing Director, Mr. John Jameson, stated:
I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to SCS for their outstanding customer service in helping Taylor Group achieve ISO 9001 certification.
From my initial contact with SCS, I was impressed with the level of professionalism and expertise that I encountered. The SCS team were always available to answer any questions and provide us with the information that we needed to achieve certification and add value to our Quality Management system.
The entire process of achieving certification was smooth and efficient. I am very pleased with the results of the certification process as I believe we are more efficient and our quality system is more effective, helping us to improve our customer service and to build stronger relationships with our clients.
I would highly recommend SCS to any company that is considering pursuing ISO certification. They are a professional and experienced organization that will provide you with the support that you need to achieve your goals.
The initial certification process is always part of a change process which brings its own complexities for the audit process, but the SCS auditor reflected on the high level of cooperation from the client auditee team and their understanding of both the internal and external benefits to be gained from accredited certification of their ISO9001 Quality Management System.
Everyone at SCS wishes the Taylor Group every success as they continue their improvement journey .
As we look forward to what the future holds for auditing, it is clear that technology will play an ever increasingly significant role in shaping the profession. Artificial Technology is coming more and more into our lives and is getting more powerful every time it is used. There is also a rise in remote audits, Augmented Reality (AR) and data visualisation. These advancements are helping auditors find new ways to become more efficient, both with time and money, and accurately analyse what they see and financial data that they come across. These emerging technologies offer a wealth of benefits, including improved data accuracy, faster audit completion times, and enhanced risk management.
In this blog post, we'll explore how these technologies are already transforming the audit process and discuss how they are likely to continue to shape the future of auditing in the years to come. By understanding the impact of these tools and technologies, auditors can position themselves for success and thrive in an ever-changing business landscape.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) will have a significant impact on the future of auditing. It will do this by transforming the way auditors work and the value they can provide to their clients. One of the most significant benefits of AI in auditing is the ability to analyse large amounts of data quickly and accurately. With the help of AI-powered tools, auditors may be able to identify patterns, trends, and anomalies in financial data that may indicate potential risks, fraud, or errors.
AI will affect the future of auditing through the automation of routine tasks, such as data entry, report generation, and testing controls. This will enable auditors to focus on more complex tasks that require human judgment and critical thinking skills, such as evaluating the accuracy of financial statements and identifying potential risks.
AI-powered auditing tools can also improve the quality of audits by providing auditors with insights and recommendations based on data analysis. For example, AI can help auditors identify areas of potential risk that may have been overlooked or suggest ways to improve internal controls.
Finally, AI should improve the efficiency and effectiveness of audits by reducing the risk of errors and omissions. By automating routine tasks, AI can reduce the risk of human error and provide greater consistency in the audit process.
Fully remote audits happen currently, but they are not a preferred way of auditing. However, this may change. With the advancements in technology and Augmented Reality, (which will be talked about later on), there is no reason for remote audits to be the preferred way. But why?
Remote audits will cut down client’s costs, associated with travel and accommodation, potentially for both the audit team and their internal staff. Remote audits can also be in favour of the auditor, as they reduce time by not having to travel, and reduce the associated carbon footprint of the audit, whilst working from where they want to and still getting the same results.
However, remote audits are not always possible… This is because there will be times and visits where the auditor will need to be on site, such as to witness operational control and assess the infrastructure and environment for the operation of processes.
There can be a good debate from auditors and customers as to what is the better way of auditing. However, it completely relies on the risk to the audit objectives and any certification(s) held.
In 2021, a joint survey of more than 4000 participants was carried out by the IAF, ILAC and ISO. The survey shows that many are ready to embrace new methods and procedures in remote audits, assessments, and evaluations.
This shows that remote audits are already a big thing and are well accepted by auditing bodies. The biggest stat that came from the survey, is that nearly 100% of the professionals who took part, agreed that new technologies and techniques relevant to the times should be used.
View the full survey and results here.
Augmented reality (AR); what is the first thing that comes to mind. Let me guess… People making a fool of themselves in goggles that link to a device. Was I right? Of course, I was.
As funny and entertaining as these goggles can be. They are extremely powerful and can be used for so much more than playing games or pretending to be on rollercoasters.
AR will never completely remove the need of having an auditor or an industry experienced professional. AR could be used to provide auditors with a more immersive and interactive experience, allowing them to visualize and analyse complex data more effectively. For example, auditors could use augmented reality to overlay financial statements onto the physical environment, making it easier to spot discrepancies and identify potential issues. Additionally, augmented reality could be used to provide auditors with real-time updates and alerts during audits, improving their ability to respond to emerging issues. They could also use BIM related information on a construction project to analyse satisfaction of technical specifications.
Remote audits could be transformed by having AR. This is because it could allow the auditor to enter this digital world and see the Client’s office, literally through their own eyes and just like what they would see if they were there in person, but this can be done from anywhere in the world. Linked with data and AI together, it could be an incredible resource to extend the audit sample through geographic reach and access to more detailed information.
Data has always had a significant part to play in auditing and it is more and more likely to have a larger impact in the future. When you combine the advancements with Big Data, AI and the technological developments, if harnessed effectively it could create a powerhouse of evidence to validate audit conclusions.
Data Visualisation will enable auditors to have the ability to analyse large chunks of data to gain relevant insights into the auditee organisation’s finances, medical records, accidents and reports, risk assessments and much more, enabling them to have a better understanding of the organisation and allowing them to use the data to assess the effectiveness of any management system based on the past performance and what improvement actions the auditor can identify in the present. Not only can the data be used like this, but it will also allow the auditors to have many strenuous tasks automated, such as identifying anomalies in financial or other performance data and evaluating compliance with applicable statutes or regulations. This will enable auditors to focus on more complex tasks that require human judgment and critical thinking skills, such as in reviewing the interactions between processes and the residual risks.
When AI is used in conjunction with data visualisation, the AI system could update and make any necessary changes to the system based on the updates in close to real time, enabling identification and analysis of variances outside tolerance in the automated processes and facilitating a more focused approach to both problem solving and nonconformity analysis, whilst responding immediately to reduce risk.
Technology of course has a critical part to play in all of the above. This is because without the technological advancements, none of these advances would be possible.
Technology is constantly transforming the way audits are not only conducted, but also how the results of the audits and the findings are communicated, addressed, and integrated in a way that meets the governing scheme requirements and both the current and future needs of trade and industry. Organisations are constantly evolving, with some not even having head offices already and others collaborating in virtual spaces, whilst supply chains to continue to be globalised.
Furthermore, other potential advances include the use of blockchain technology which can create immutable records of audit trails, making it more difficult for bad actors to manipulate data, providing further confidence in the process. Additionally, the rise of cloud-based auditing solutions means that auditors can potentially access critical information from anywhere, enabling audit teams and relevant experts to conduct remote audits, providing greater flexibility in approach.
Overall, technology promises to improve the quality and reliability of audit outcomes, leading to improved decision-making, enhanced confidence, and ultimately more trust in the auditee organisations for consumers and end-users of the products and services provided.
The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) have been holding an event in Belfast, Northern Ireland, that has been running from 30th April and finishes on Monday 8th May. Every day the event offers different talks and conferences starting from 8:30 am and the last talk ends at 9 p.m. on some days. On Wednesday 3rd May, the IAF Working Group Digitalisation held their first hybrid meeting, with the participants meeting both in Belfast and online. During this talk, discussions covered updates to documents to address digitalisation and how IAF can leverage technologies and future mechanisms to stay up to date with the latest trends.
Just like this blog, everyone is trying to stay educated and talk about the future of our industry, because if you fall behind you may never catch up to your competitors. Below is a picture from the groups meeting in Belfast. You can also follow the link to find out more about the IAF and stay up to date with industry updates!
In conclusion, this is a profession that does not change as rapidly or intensely as the retail or computing industries, but there are changes coming that will revolutionise the way we work, for the better. This is thanks to technology and the benefits that it can bring when it is integrated into the way you work and paired with other advancements, such as AI, AR, and Big Data.
As the industry changes and technology becomes more intuitive, the ones who change with the times and embrace the tools they have at their disposal, will be well-positioned to continue to strive.
However, it is important to note that these technologies should not replace the auditor completely, but instead compliment the way they work and their ability to carry out audits competently and successfully.
The future looks bright!
Check out the Chartered Quality Instituite (CQI) video of professionals in the industry talking about their experience at the 'Future of Auditing' conference back in September 2022. Listen to what they say below.
Today marks World Health and Safety Day. Every year, there is a different theme to promote this day. This year, the International Labour Organisation has decided the theme will be,
“A safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work”.
What is the need for this day?
There is a day specifically for this to promote the need and desire to raise awareness that until there are no accidents being reported in the workplace, it will always be a pressing issue. It helps raise employee awareness, as well to show them what they are entitled to in the workplace and that they shouldn’t feel that they are not safe and are being protected by their employer.
World Day for Health and Safety at work has many objectives. Some of these include:
Work Related Injuries and Deaths within the UK from 2021/2022.
In the UK, work related deaths and injuries are not uncommon. In fact, there are probably more than you would imagine. Below we will go through some key statistics reported to RIDDOR. (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations)
Key statistics from UK health and safety in workplace from 2021-2022.
From this graph, the deaths differ in ages. From the 123 people killed:
We then illustrate the causation, where the next graph shows the main kinds of fatal accidents for workers between 2021/2022.
It isn’t always only employees being killed by work related incidents. Unfortunately, there were 80 members of the public who were killed due to accidents that happened at work.
To find out more, follow the link to HSE website.
Statistics – Work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain (hse.gov.uk)
Who is responsible for prevention of work-related deaths and injuries?
Employers have a legal obligation under health and safety law to mitigate health and safety risks within their business. They are accountable for safeguarding the wellbeing, safety, and welfare of their staff and anyone else who may be impacted by their work activities. Employers must take practical and reasonable measures to fulfil this responsibility. They can do this by implementing the findings of risk assessments within their business. What are risk assessments?
Risk Assessments
A risk assessment proactively identifies potential hazards and by analysing what the likelihood and severity of harm that could come from the result of a hazard. The aim of a risk assessment is to identify these risks and prioritise them by implementing safety measures that would make sure that they are eliminated or controlled.
Employers are responsible for making sure that these risk assessments are carried out and that they are updated with the changing environments in their workspace. They are legally required to assess the potential hazards of their workplace and take the reasonable and required steps to ensure that their staff are safe whilst working with these potential risks.
Workers are also responsible for their safety in the workplace. This is because they have the right and the authority to report any health and safety issues/ dangerous environments within their workplace to HSE. If they feel as though their employer is not taking the right precautions towards risks and is aware of the dangers that can come from it, it is within the employees right to report it.
Below is a risk assessment matrix template example.
How can we help?
System Certification Services can help your business lower the likelihood and possibility of workplace injuries and deaths happening in your organisation. We can do this by providing ISO 45001 certification which includes operational control audits.
What is ISO 45001?
ISO 45001:2018 is the globally renowned International Standard which details requirements for Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems. The standard provides a framework to enable businesses to implement effective arrangements for managing occupational health and safety in a way that is proportionate to the hazards identified and the OH&S risks to be managed.
Check out our latest video, what is ISO 45001!
Implementing ISO45001 should result in an OH&S management system which enables organisations to fulfil its legal requirements and to identify and evaluate their H&S risks, and, with the participation of the workforce, lead to enhanced performance. Improved workplace conditions, reduced risk of injury or illness and a positive H&S culture can lead to improved worker wellbeing as well as an increase in productivity and reduced insurance premiums.
Demonstration of successful implementation of the standard can be used by an organisation to give assurance to workers and other interested parties that an effective OH&S management system is in place.
Benefits of integrating ISO 45001 into your business
A case study published by IOSH (The institute of Occupational Safety & Health) in 2018 focused on a manufacturing and construction organisation, AB Glass based in Swansea, Wales, who were an early adopter of the ISO45001 and their representative stated benefits to include top management commitment at all stages, worker involvement, emphasis on the continual improvement element of the Plan-Do-Check-Act model including review and preventive action, and alignment with their existing 9001 system.
Originating in 2008 in London, the purpose of World Quality Day, and now World Quality Week, is to raise quality awareness and provide support to individuals and organisations for the achievement of organisational prosperity through the adoption of high-quality standards. This year, the annual campaign was focused on ‘Quality Conscience’. This is the second year running where it has been spread over a week, instead of having it be a single day. This is beneficial for both awareness of WQW and also for organisations who want to take part in it, as they have a full week to engage in the celebration event.
A simple definition could be fulfilment of requirements and ISO9000:2015 details that an organisation focused on quality promotes a culture that results in the behaviour, attitudes, activities and processes that deliver value through fulfilling the needs and expectations of customers and other relevant interested parties.
The Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) defines quality management as, “Quality management is about making organisations perform for their stakeholders – from improving products, services, systems and processes, to making sure that the whole organisation is fit and effective”. (CQI, 2020).
Quality has a part to play in several aspects of an organisation, and it can have a positive or negative impact on an organisation. This depends on the outlook organisations have towards quality and how they implement assurance practices into their work. This is why ISO9001 is desired by over a million organisations worldwide, and why it is also specified in most clients’ tender selection and/or award criteria. Some tender lists will see having a Quality Management System in place as an essential prerequisite for competing for the work.
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At SCS, we decided to promote WQW22 by taking part in different tasks throughout the week, that had aligned with the topic of ‘Quality Conscience’.
Implementing Quality Management Systems can prove to be very effective and provide success for our clients. We had the pleasure of making the trip down to Crossmaglen to visit Skips R Us, a waste management organisation, based in Newry, Northern Ireland. Feedback from the audit team confirmed that ‘Doing the right thing’ was evident throughout their audit and certification activity.
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Tracey, our Service Coordinator, has been part of SCS for over 5 years now and she has made a huge impact on our operations. She is normally the first point of contact when you give us a call, she deals with any queries you have, helps out with our socials, communicates with you through your auditing process and is a crucial part of our team. Not only by her work ethic but also her positive personality. This is why we designated our employee recognition activity during WQW to her (it was a no brainer really).
But how does employee recognition have anything to do with WQW 22? Well, it helps to build stronger relationships with the employees as it shows them that they’re work is always valued and appreciated. It also challenges other employees to strive to do better and keep ‘doing the right thing’.
Having a lunch and learn session with our organisation was a great way to finish the week, and the end of this year’s WQW. This activity allowed us to come together as a team and talk about issues that we potentially can face in the workplace and the right way to go about them.
With quality conscience mainly coming into play for our auditors, it is also good for all the staff to understand the correct way to complete/ conduct tasks and tackle any issues that may be faced, as well as participating in the unending process of continual improvement.
With all the good that comes with quality, there will always be a choice that you have to make when you are put in the position of, ‘doing the right thing’. Amanda McKay, CQI Chair, wrote an article on, ‘Weighing up the consequences of doing the right thing’, reflecting on sometimes difficult choices and the role of the quality professional.
As a profession, our principles have been about doing things right and right first time, but that isn’t always the same as doing the right thing. Our core competencies as a profession – being governance, assurance, improvement, and leadership – should lead us down the route of being the consciousness of the organisation. Within quality, we tend to be embedded across the organisation and sighted on all aspects of the strategy and operations, so we are in a good place to understand and advise on doing the right thing. (McKay, 2022)
The shopping trolley theory is an ‘every day’ task that tests us to see if we are, ‘doing the right thing’.
This is a theory to see of a person is capable of self-governing. We have all used shopping trolleys at some stage in our lives, if not weekly. Returning the trolley is an easy task, which everyone knows is the correct thing to do after using it. There is no real reason, apart from dire emergencies, where someone may not be able to return their trolley after use. On the other hand, there is no obligation that says you must put your trolley back….
In relation to World Quality Week and quality consciousness, this theory suggests that a person's actions with regards to returning a shopping cart can be indicative of their overall attitude towards quality and responsibility. Individuals who take the time to return their shopping carts demonstrate a level of care and attention to detail, which are also important qualities in the pursuit of quality and excellence. On the other hand, individuals who leave their carts abandoned may be seen as lacking in quality consciousness, as they do not demonstrate a concern for the environment or the impact of their actions on others.
World Quality Week is an annual event that celebrates the pursuit of quality and excellence in all areas of life, and the shopping cart theory aligns with this goal by highlighting the importance of responsibility and attention to detail in the pursuit of quality.
“Doing the right thing is setting the standards when clients don’t specify them; it’s the customer focus that helps develop products or services for an end user when they didn’t know they needed the improvement; it’s the mindset to not settle for less than correct; its behaving appropriately and as agreed, even when nobody is looking; it is about helping those around you; simple but clear, if you insert ‘are you’ in front of the statement, it is a question for all our quality conscience”. Tony Duff, Director SCS
WQW posted another successful year, thanks to everyone who took part in sharing the campaign. This is shown by stats reported by CQI’s winter edition ‘Quality World’ newsletter.
According to their newsletter, there were:
SCS are looking forward to taking part in #WorldQualityWeek2023 #WQW23 this year (6th to 10th November 2023) and observing the many varied events that Clients, colleagues, and other organisations participate in, and share, to celebrate Quality.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and other built environment specifications continuously update their standards to reflect on the changing needs and developments in various industries. These updated standards aim to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and security of organisations and businesses worldwide.
ISO/TS 14074:2022 – Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Principles, requirements and guidelines for normalization, weighting and interpretation
Published in November 2022 this standard is applicable to any life cycle assessment (LCA) and footprint quantification study, and it supplements ISO14044, which enables a clear demonstration of the consideration of a life cycle perspective as per Clauses 6.1.2 and 8.1 of ISO14001:2015.
ISO/DIS 14068 Greenhouse gas management and climate change management and related activities — Carbon neutrality.
Still under development, this standard is at the Draft stage (DIS Ballot initiated 25.01.23 for 12 weeks) and is intended to build upon the existing ISO14060 series of ISO Standards documents addressing GHG quantification, reporting and verification: helping organizations, project proponents and stakeholders by providing clarity and consistency on quantifying, monitoring, reporting, and validating or verifying GHG emissions and removals. Applicable to key clauses 6.1.2, 9.1 & 10.3 of ISO14001:2015.
ISO/FDIS 45002 – Occupational health and safety management systems — General guidelines for the implementation of ISO 45001:2018
This standard has reached the final stage of Under Publication as of 24.12.22 with publication imminent in February 2023, and mimics the contents structure of ISO45001, providing guidance on how to implement the requirements in ISO 45001:2018 in any type of organization. Where ISO 45001:2018 states what needs to be done, this document expands on that and gives guidance, including examples, on how it can be done.
ISO/DIS 45006 – Occupational health and safety management — Guidelines for organizations on preventing and managing infectious diseases.
Still under development, this standard is at the Draft stage (Voting closed 18.01.23) and is applicable to organizations of all sizes and sectors, providing guidelines for organizations on how to prevent exposure to, and manage the risks associated with, infectious diseases, that are increasingly recognized as major challenges to health, safety and well-being, both for workers and other relevant interested parties.
PAS 8673:2022 Built environment – Competence requirements for the management of safety in residential buildings – Specification
First published in July 2022 the Specification establishes core principles and competence requirements for professionals delivering services relating to the management of safety in residential buildings. PAS 8673 was developed to address the competence of persons engaged in the management of buildings in scope of the new building safety regulatory regime in England and Wales, but its use is not based in any specific geographic location. BSR invites views on Managing Building Safety and the PAS 8673 document that highlights the necessary competency for those managing high-risk buildings (HRBs). The Consultation closes on 24 April 2023 and can be accessed here
