Integrated Management Systems (IMS): A Comprehensive Guide
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (QMS)
A quality system is a mechanism for regulating the management of organizations related to the quality of products or services provided. It also impacts the economics of processes and operations, profitability, customer satisfaction, and other stakeholders. Quality systems aim for continuous improvement of the above characteristics.
Furthermore, quality systems are based on two fundamental principles:
- Pre-programmed activities to be performed.
- Monitoring compliance with the schedule.
QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Like ISO 9000 and ISO 14000, the OHSAS 18000 Standard is also based on a continuous improvement cycle and uses the Plan-Do-Check-Adjust (PDCA) cycle for implementation. In this sense, it is compatible with Quality Management and Environmental Management.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Continuous improvement of overall organizational performance should be a permanent objective. It is the fundamental and defining basis and structure of all Standard Assessment Diagnosis Planning Implementation.
IMPLEMENTATION OF AN INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
An organization that wants to adopt an integrated management system should consider the following aspects:
- The organization must be known in-depth internally. You must know the environment in which it operates and should have clear objectives regarding the company and the expected results.
- When implementing an integrated management system, any organization will find several obstacles related to weaknesses in its structure, fear of change, and an initial, inevitable increase in costs (which will be less if you have already implemented one of the founding management systems).
- To start the implementation of an integrated management system, as in the case of any individual management system, it is essential to convince the organization’s leadership that this is beneficial. Only if the organization’s direction believes it is advisable to begin the long and arduous road that is required.
- The primary motivation must come from the firm conviction that implementing an integrated management system will be beneficial in terms of long-term profitability and the development of the organization.
- Obtaining certification of compliance with standards by an accreditation body is often overemphasized and should be of secondary importance.
- It is commonly thought that introducing an integrated management system is only easy in large organizations. However, since it involves elaborate documentation, it seems feasible in small organizations. This concept is wrong and must be corrected.
Overall, there is no specific methodology for implementing an integrated system, but there is a set of guidelines that guide companies through this process.
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT PHASE
The first stage of implementing Integrated Systems is seeing how the system can handle all management and operational aspects. At this point, companies that have already implemented some form of management of the three constituents will benefit, as they should only need to make minor modifications.
IMPLEMENTATION PHASE
Once the system parts are properly developed, it should disclose how the system works at all company levels, its various sectors, managers, contractors, support staff, and other organizational components involved with the operation. Not everyone has to know everything, but they should know everything within the system that affects their work within the company.
PHASE OF OPERATION
When the system is well understood and managed easily and as daily work at all organization levels (both own and support), we enter this phase of operation. As this phase matures, the system itself begins to draw on the organization’s experience, making full use of it and detecting numerous opportunities for continuous improvement.
PHASE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
This stage could be conceived as inevitable because if the system manages to follow the progression described above efficiently, we reach a level of constant review, criticism, and reflection. The results lead to progressive changes that will ensure a living and renewed system.
Implementing an Integrated Management System allows an organization to demonstrate its commitment to all stakeholders, not just the client. An Integrated Management System covers all aspects of the business, from product quality and customer service to maintaining operations within acceptable environmental performance and occupational health and safety.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
A Management System for Occupational Health and Safety (OHSMS) or System for Occupational Health and Safety is a mechanism for regulating the management of organizations in the following areas:
- Compliance with current legislation regarding the status of facilities in relation to the causes of potential risks.
- Total elimination of occupational hazards in the organization’s activities.
The OHSMS are based on two fundamental principles:
- Pre-program situations and activities.
- Monitor compliance with the schedule.
A Management System for Occupational Health and Safety (OHSMS) is a set of procedures that define the best way to perform activities likely to cause accidents or illnesses. This system has established models or standards governing the minimum conditions those procedures must comply with. This does not mean that these conditions cannot be overcome by the organization’s will or specific customer requirements. Several environmental management models exist, among which we cite the British Standard OHSAS 18000.
OHSAS 18000
Like ISO 9000 and ISO 14000, the OHSAS 18000 Standard is also based on a continuous improvement cycle and uses the Plan-Do-Check-Adjust (PDCA) cycle for implementation.