Lifting Heavy Loads

Lifting Heavy Loads

“Your body is your first working tool”, and you have only ONE back.

Lifting Heavy Loads: being careful is our responsibility!

Talk to your supervisor and manager

-           Discuss correct posture at your work place with your doctor.

-           If you feel any pain that might be work related, ask to visit the company doctor.

Hand Safety

Hand Safety: being careful is our responsibility!

“ALL hand injuries are preventable.”

Concerned people:

·          -   Lab technicians

·          -   Machine operators

·          -   Office workers

·          -   Any kind of workers who use their hands

Hands are most important because of their utility.

Hands = tools

The key to hand injury prevention is you!

Ergonomics at work

Ergonomics at work: being careful is our responsibility!!

Safe Driving - Actions to be maintained

To maintain safe driving following 7 points are required as a minimum -

1 - Planning business trip -

Based on location, need to organize the trip to travel safely and arrive on time.

For this reason followings have to ensure

n  Consult a road map to know the route and foresee distance have to drive

n   Drive less than 10 hours in one day

n   Drive less and work less than 14 hours a day

n   Comply with the journey management plan, if drive more than 4 hours one  way

n   Take a road map even if have a GPS

n   Consult road traffic website to avoid obstruction and anticipate any delays

n   Check weather forecast to be prepared in case of bad weather

Preparing your trip will save you time and avoid stress

To prevent / reduce the impact of SUNSTROKE

Sunstroke is a condition, it occurs when the body’s heat control system fails and body cannot lose the excessive heat. It turns into accurate life threatening condition due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures or excessive production of heat. High temperatures can cause the body’s major organs to fail. Sunstroke can be fatal to life and can also lead to death when body is unable to lose heat and return to its normal body temperatures.

Understanding the organization & its context - PESTEL Analysis

Hand Wash - The first defence against organisms

The skin is the largest organ in the human body and has a surface area of about 1.5 to 2.0 square metres. It is the first defence against organisms that can cause diseases ranging from common cold to other serious infections.

Any cuts or lesions of the skin are possible areas of entry for bacteria and viruses. If you are a healthcare person or someone who is taking care of a sick person, your hands are also the most likely route through which infections or microorganisms might spread between patients or other members of the family. So, simply washing your hands is the most effective method of preventing the transmission of infections.

Some of these bacteria and viruses can survive on the surfaces from days to weeks! So, don’t underestimate the power of hand washing. The few seconds you spend at the sink could save you trips to the doctor’s office

The myths on ISO Standards & Requirements

ISO 9001 is a standard that sets out the requirements for a quality management system. It helps businesses and organizations be more efficient and improve customer satisfaction.

Isn’t it an old document designed for the way businesses worked in the 1990s ?

First published in 1987, ISO 9001 has been around for many years, but it is regularly updated to ensure that it remains relevant to today’s business environment.

In its latest version, ISO 9001:2015 incorporates elements such as a stronger focus on stakeholders and the wider context of an organization to fit the evolving needs of modern business.

The standard is designed to be flexible enough for use by different types of organizations.

For this reason, it does not specify what the objectives relating to “ quality ” or “ meeting customer needs ” should be. Instead, it requires organizations to define these objectives themselves and continually improve their processes in order to reach them.

Evaluation of compliance based on EMS

The frequency and timing of compliance evaluations can vary depending on the importance of the requirement, variations in operating conditions, changes in compliance obligations and the organization’s past performance. An organization can use a variety of methods to maintain its knowledge and understanding of its compliance status, however, all compliance obligations need to be evaluated periodically.

If compliance evaluation results indicate a failure to fulfil a legal requirement, the organization needs to determine and implement the actions necessary to achieve compliance. This might require communication with a regulatory agency and agreement on a course of action to fulfil its legal requirements. Where such an agreement is in place, it becomes a compliance obligation.

A non-compliance is not necessarily elevated to a nonconformity if, for example, it is identified and corrected by the environmental management system processes. Compliance-related nonconformities need to be corrected, even if those nonconformities have not resulted in actual non-compliance with legal requirements.

Environmental Performance Evaluation

When determining what should be monitored and measured, in addition to progress on environmental objectives, the organization should take into account its significant environmental aspects, compliance obligations and operational controls.



The methods used by the organization to monitor and measure, analyse and evaluate should be defined in the environmental management system, in order to ensure that:

a) the timing of monitoring and measurement is coordinated with the need for analysis and evaluation results;

b) the results of monitoring and measurement are reliable, reproducible and traceable;

c) the analysis and evaluation are reliable and reproducible, and enable the organization to report trends.

The environmental performance analysis and evaluation results should be reported to those with responsibility and authority to initiate appropriate action.

Consideration of Emergency preparedness and response for ISO 14001:2015

It is the responsibility of each organization to be prepared and to respond to emergency situations in a manner appropriate to its particular needs. For information on determining emergency situations.

When planning its emergency preparedness and response process(es), the organization should consider:

a) the most appropriate method(s) for responding to an emergency situation;

b) internal and external communication process(es);

c) the action(s) required to prevent or mitigate environmental impacts;

d) mitigation and response action(s) to be taken for different types of emergency situations;

e) the need for post-emergency evaluation to determine and implement corrective actions;

f) periodic testing of planned emergency response actions;

g) training of emergency response personnel;

h) a list of key personnel and aid agencies, including contact details (e.g. fire department, spillage

clean-up services);

i) evacuation routes and assembly points;

j) the possibility of mutual assistance from neighbouring organizations.

Operational planning and control for Environmental Management System

The type and extent of operational control(s) depend on the nature of the operations, the risks and opportunities, significant environmental aspects and compliance obligations. An organization has the flexibility to select the type of operational control methods, individually or in combination, that are necessary to make sure the process(es) is (are) effective and achieve(s) the desired results. Such methods can include:

a) designing (a) process(es) in such a way as to prevent error and ensure consistent results;

b) using technology to control (a) process(es) and prevent adverse results (i.e. engineering controls);

c) using competent personnel to ensure the desired results;

d) performing (a) process(es) in a specified way;

e) monitoring or measuring (a) process(es) to check the results;

f) determining the use and amount of documented information necessary.

Documented information for ISO 14001:2015

An organization should create and maintain documented information in a manner sufficient to ensure a suitable, adequate and effective environmental management system. The primary focus should be on the implementation of the environmental management system and on environmental performance, not on a complex documented information control system.

In addition to the documented information required in specific clauses of this International Standard, an organization may choose to create additional documented information for purposes of transparency, accountability, continuity, consistency, training, or ease in auditing.

Documented information originally created for purposes other than the environmental management system may be used. The documented information associated with the environmental management system may be integrated with other information management systems implemented by the organization. It does not have to be in the form of a manual.



Communication process to maintain ISO 14001:2015

Communication allows the organization to provide and obtain information relevant to its environmental management system, including information related to its significant environmental aspects, environmental performance, compliance obligations and recommendations for continual improvement.

Communication is a two-way process, in and out of the organization.

When establishing its communication process(es), the internal organizational structure should be considered to ensure communication with the most appropriate levels and functions. A single approach can be adequate to meet the needs of many different interested parties, or multiple approaches might be necessary to address specific needs of individual interested parties.

Environmental objectives and planning to achieve them

Top management may establish environmental objectives at the strategic level, the tactical level or the operational level. The strategic level includes the highest levels of the organization and the environmental objectives can be applicable to the whole organization. The tactical and operational levels can include environmental objectives for specific units or functions within the organization and should be compatible with its strategic direction.

Environmental objectives should be communicated to persons working under the organization’s control who have the ability to influence the achievement of environmental objectives.

Planning action to implement ISO 14001:2015

The organization plans, at a high level, the actions that have to be taken within the environmental management system to address its significant environmental aspects, its compliance obligations, and the risks and opportunities identified that are a priority for the organization to achieve the intended outcomes of its environmental management system.

The actions planned may include establishing environmental objectives or may be incorporated into other environmental management system processes, either individually or in combination. Some actions may be addressed through other management systems, such as those related to occupational health and safety or business continuity, or through other business processes related to risk, financial or human resource management.

When considering its technological options, an organization should consider the use of best-available techniques, where economically viable, cost-effective and judged appropriate. This is not intended to imply that organizations are obliged to use environmental cost-accounting methodologies.

Compliance obligations on ISO 14001:2015

The organization determines, at a sufficiently detailed level, the compliance obligations it identified that are applicable to its environmental aspects, and how they apply to the organization. Compliance obligations include legal requirements that an organization has to comply with and other requirements that the organization has to or chooses to comply with.

Mandatory legal requirements related to an organization’s environmental aspects can include, if applicable:

a) requirements from governmental entities or other relevant authorities;

b) international, national and local laws and regulations;

c) requirements specified in permits, licenses or other forms of authorization;

d) orders, rules or guidance from regulatory agencies;

e) judgements of courts or administrative tribunals.

Identification of Environmental aspects

An organization determines its environmental aspects and associated environmental impacts, and determines those that are significant and, therefore, need to be addressed by its environmental management system.

Changes to the environment, either adverse or beneficial, that result wholly or partially from environmental aspects are called environmental impacts. The environmental impact can occur at local, regional and global scales, and also can be direct, indirect or cumulative by nature. The relationship between environmental aspects and environmental impacts is one of cause and effect.

When determining environmental aspects, the organization considers a life cycle perspective. This does not require a detailed life cycle assessment; thinking carefully about the life cycle stages that can be controlled or influenced by the organization is sufficient. Typical stages of a product (or service) life cycle include raw material acquisition, design, production, transportation/delivery, use, end-of life treatment and final disposal. The life cycle stages that are applicable will vary depending on the activity, product or service.

Actions to address risks and opportunities based on ISO 14001:2015

The overall intent of the process(es) established is to ensure that the organization is able to achieve the intended outcomes of its environmental management system, to prevent or reduce undesired effects, and to achieve continual improvement. The organization can ensure this by determining its risks and opportunities that need to be addressed and planning action to address them. These risks and opportunities can be related to environmental aspects, compliance obligations, other issues or other needs and expectations of interested parties.

Content of Environmental policy

An environmental policy is a set of principles stated as commitments in which top management outlines the intentions of the organization to support and enhance its environmental performance. The environmental policy enables the organization to set its environmental objectives, take actions to achieve the intended outcomes of the environmental management system, and achieve continual improvement.

Three basic commitments for the environmental policy are specified in this International Standard to:

a) protect the environment;

b) fulfil the organization’s compliance obligations;

c) continually improve the environmental management system to enhance environmental performance.



Leadership and commitment based on ISO 14001:2015

To demonstrate leadership and commitment, there are specific responsibilities related to the environmental management system in which top management should be personally involved or which top management should direct. Top management may delegate responsibility for these actions to others, but it retains accountability for ensuring the actions are performed.

Implementation of Environmental management system

The organization retains authority and accountability to decide how it fulfils the requirements of the International Standard ISO 14001:2015, including the level of detail and extent to which it:

a) establishes one or more processes to have confidence that it (they) is (are) controlled, carried out as planned and achieve the desired results;

b) integrates environmental management system requirements into its various business processes, such as design and development, procurement, human resources, sales and marketing;

c) incorporates issues associated with the context of the organization and interested party requirements within its environmental management system.

If the International Standard ISO 14001:2015 is implemented for (a) specific part(s) of an organization, policies, processes and documented information developed by other parts of the organization can be used to meet the requirements of this International Standard, provided they are applicable to that (those) specific part(s).

Determining the scope of the environmental management system

The scope of the environmental management system is intended to clarify the physical and organizational boundaries to which the environmental management system applies, especially if the organization is a part of a larger organization. An organization has the freedom and flexibility to define its boundaries. It may choose to implement this International Standard throughout the entire organization, or only in (a) specific part(s) of the organization, as long as the top management for that (those) part(s) has authority to establish an environmental management system.

Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties based on ISO 14001:2015

An organization is expected to gain a general (i.e. high-level, not detailed) understanding of the expressed needs and expectations of those internal and external interested parties that have been determined by the organization to be relevant. The organization considers the knowledge gained when determining which of these needs and expectations it has to or it chooses to comply with, i.e. its compliance obligations.

Context of the organization - Understanding the organization and its context as per ISO 14001:2015

The intent of Context of the organization is to provide a high-level, conceptual understanding of the important issues that can affect, either positively or negatively, the way the organization manages its environmental responsibilities. Issues are important topics for the organization, problems for debate and discussion or changing circumstances that affect the organization’s ability to achieve the intended outcomes it sets for its environmental management system.

Contents of the International Standard ISO 14001:2015

The International Standard ISO 14001:2015 conforms to ISO’s requirements for management system standards. These requirements include a high level structure, identical core text, and common terms with core definitions, designed to benefit users implementing multiple ISO management system standards.

The International Standard ISO 14001:2015 does not include requirements specific to other management systems, such as those for quality, occupational health and safety, energy or financial management. However, this International Standard enables an organization to use a common approach and risk-based thinking to integrate its environmental management system with the requirements of other management systems.

Success factors of an environmental management system

The success of an environmental management system depends on commitment from all levels and functions of the organization, led by top management. Organizations can leverage opportunities to prevent or mitigate adverse environmental impacts and enhance beneficial environmental impacts, particularly those with strategic and competitive implications. Top management can effectively address its risks and opportunities by integrating environmental management into the organization’s business processes, strategic direction and decision making, aligning them with other business priorities, and incorporating environmental governance into its overall management system. Demonstration of successful implementation of this International Standard can be used to assure interested parties that an effective environmental management system is in place.

Aim of an environmental management system

The purpose of this International Standard is to provide organizations with a framework to protect the environment and respond to changing environmental conditions in balance with socio-economic needs. It specifies requirements that enable an organization to achieve the intended outcomes it sets for its environmental management system.

Background of environmental management system

Achieving a balance between the environment, society and the economy is considered essential to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainable development as a goal is achieved by balancing the three pillars of sustainability.

Societal expectations for sustainable development, transparency and accountability have evolved with increasingly stringent legislation, growing pressures on the environment from pollution, inefficient use of resources, improper waste management, climate change, degradation of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity.

This has led organizations to adopt a systematic approach to environmental management by implementing environmental management systems with the aim of contributing to the environmental pillar of sustainability.

Control of externally provided processes, products and services

All forms of externally provided processes, products and services are addressed in ISO 9001:2015 Clause 8.4, e.g. whether through:

a) purchasing from a supplier;

b) an arrangement with an associate company;

c) outsourcing processes to an external provider.

Outsourcing always has the essential characteristic of a service, since it will have at least one activity necessarily performed at the interface between the provider and the organization.

The controls required for external provision can vary widely depending on the nature of the processes, products and services. The organization can apply risk-based thinking to determine the type and extent of controls appropriate to particular external providers and externally provided processes, products and services.

What is Organizational knowledge as per ISO 9001:2015?

In the International Standard ISO 9001:2015 addresses the need to determine and manage the knowledge maintained by the organization, to ensure the operation of its processes and that it can achieve conformity of products and services.

Requirements regarding organizational knowledge were introduced for the purpose of:

a) safeguarding the organization from loss of knowledge, e.g.

— through staff turnover;

— failure to capture and share information;

b) encouraging the organization to acquire knowledge, e.g.

— learning from experience;

— mentoring;

— benchmarking.

What is Documented information as per ISO 9001:2015?

As part of the alignment with other management system standards, a common clause on “documented information” has been adopted without significant change or addition in ISO 9001:2015.

Where appropriate, text elsewhere in this International Standard has been aligned with its requirements. Consequently, “documented information” is used for all document requirements. Where ISO 9001:2008 used specific terminology such as “document” or “documented procedures”, “quality manual” or “quality plan”, this edition of this International Standard defines requirements to “maintain documented information”.

Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties

The ISO standard specifies requirements for the organization to determine the interested parties that are relevant to the quality management system and the requirements of those interested parties.

However, it does not imply extension of quality management system requirements beyond the scope of the International Standard (ISO 9001:2015). As stated in the scope, this International Standard is applicable where an organization needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, and aims to enhance customer satisfaction.

What is Risk-based thinking?

Risk-based thinking is essential for achieving an effective quality management system.

The concept of risk-based thinking has been implicit in previous editions of this International Standard including, for example, carrying out preventive action to eliminate potential nonconformities, analyzing any nonconformities that do occur, and taking action to prevent recurrence that is appropriate for the effects of the nonconformity.

To conform to the requirements of this International Standard, an organization needs to plan and implement actions to address risks and opportunities. Addressing both risks and opportunities establishes a basis for increasing the effectiveness of the quality management system, achieving improved results and preventing negative effects.

What is PDCA Cycle?

Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle

The PDCA cycle can be applied to all processes and to the quality management system as a whole.

Representation of the structure of this International Standard in the PDCA cycle

What is Process approach?

The International Standard (ISO 9001:2015) promotes the adoption of a process approach when developing, implementing and improving the effectiveness of a quality management system, to enhance customer satisfaction by meeting customer requirements. Specific requirements considered essential to the adoption of a process approach.

Environmental Emergency Preparedness

Emergency management involves a cyclical process of four phases:

• Prevention: regulatory and physical measures to prevent emergencies or mitigate their impact
• Preparedness: arrangements to mobilize and deploy all necessary resources and services
• Response: actions taken during and immediately after an emergency to minimize the impact  and
• Recovery: arrangements to restore the facility to normal as quickly and efficiently as possible and to assist the community to recover from the crisis

Terminologies & Consequences of Emergency Situations

Terminologies

► Vapour Cloud Explosion: An explosion occurring outdoors beginning with the unplanned release of a large quantity of flammable gas or vapourising liquid which ignites following the formation of a cloud or plume of pre-mixed fuel and air. The speed of flame travelling through the cloud may approach detonation velocity

► Unconfined Vapor Cloud Explosion (UVCE): When a flammable vapor is released, its mixture with air will form a flammable vapor cloud. If ignited, the flame speed may accelerate to high velocities and produce significant blast overpressure.

► Flash Fire: Flash fire is a sudden, intense fire caused by ignition of a mixture of air and a dispersed flammable substance such as a solid (including dust), flammable or combustible liquid (such as an aerosol or fine mist), or a flammable gas. It is a fire that spreads with unusual speed, as one that races over flammable liquid or through combustible gases

► A pool fire is a turbulent diffusion fire burning above a horizontal pool of vaporising hydrocarbon fuel where the fuel has zero or low initial momentum. Fires in the open will be well ventilated (fuel- controlled), but fires within enclosures may become under-ventilated (ventilation-controlled). Pool fires may be static (e.g. where the pool is contained) or 'running' fires.

The potential benefits to an organization of implementing a quality management system

The adoption of a quality management system is a strategic decision for an organization that can help to improve its overall performance and provide a sound basis for sustainable development initiatives.

The potential benefits to an organization of implementing a quality management system based on this International Standard are:

a) the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements;

b) facilitating opportunities to enhance customer satisfaction;

c) addressing risks and opportunities associated with its context and objectives;

d) the ability to demonstrate conformity to specified quality management system requirements.

Why ISO 9001 as starting point?

The international nature of ISO 9001 has already been identified; and, in fact, ISO 9001 is such a basic and influential standard that it is used as the basis when industry groups want to add specific industry requirements, thus creating their own industry standard. These include AS9100 for the aerospace industry, ISO 13485 for the medical devices industry and ISO/TS 16949 for the automotive industry.

ISO 9001 is also a good foundation for implementing many other management standards, such as ISO 14001 for environmental management and ISO 20000 for IT service management, which follow much of the same structure and organization. ISO 9001 is the start of good things for the company’s efforts to gain better process control and improvement. By implementing the gains available through an ISO 9001 quality management system, the organization can build to even higher savings and improvements

Quality Management Principles

The International Standard (ISO 9001:2015) is based on the quality management principles described in ISO 9000. The descriptions include a statement of each principle, a rationale of why the principle is important for the organization, some examples of benefits associated with the principle and examples of typical actions to improve the organization’s performance when applying the principle.

The quality management principles are:

— customer focus;

— leadership;

— engagement of people;

— process approach;

— improvement;

— evidence-based decision making;

— relationship management.

These principles are not listed in priority order. The relative importance of each principle will vary from organization to organization and can be expected to change over time.

Major differences in terminology between ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 9001:2015

The fifth edition (ISO 9001:2015) cancels and replaces the fourth edition (ISO 9001:2008), which has been technically revised, through the adoption of a revised clause sequence and the adaptation of the revised quality management principles and of new concepts. It also cancels and replaces the Technical Corrigendum ISO 9001:2008/Cor.1:2009.

Major differences in terminology between ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 9001:2015

ISO 9001:2008	ISO 9001:2015
Products	Products and services
Exclusions	Not used
Management representative	Not used
Documentation, quality manual, documented procedures, records	Documented information
Work environment	Environment for the operation of processes
Monitoring and measuring equipment	Monitoring and measuring resources
Purchased product	Externally provided products and services
Supplier	External provider