Which ISO certification is most important for construction company?

The term standards generally refer to officially published documents aimed at establishing the common specifications, methods and procedures that are to be employed for the delivery of goods and services that are safe, reliable, and of good quality. In this article, we review three of the most important ISO certifications for construction companies. In this article, we review the most important ISO certification for construction companies. Stay tuned with us on Edara systems iso accreditation.

Which iso ISO certifications have noticeable effects in the construction industry?

In the construction sector, standards are generally set by a national regulator. In Australia, the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) ABCC is the entity upholding the law and changing behaviours to ensure the building and construction industry is fair, efficient, and productive.

In addition to national regulators, there are also independent standards bodies like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which is composed of groups of experts from all over the world working together to develop industry-specific and generic international standards that promote innovation and offer solutions to global challenges. 

ISO has done a lot for the construction industry in terms of setting the standards. To date, it has developed over 1100 standards related to buildings and construction, with more in progress. Top 3 certifications for the construction industry are ISO 9001, 14001, 45001. But which one is the most important one? In this article, we will talk about the most important ISO standard in construction and explain why we think this standard deserves the first spot.

Review to 3 important ISO in construction industry

First, let us look at the three most popular ISO standards in construction and attempt to figure out why they are so important. We have ISO 9001 for quality, 14001 for the environment, and last but not least, 45001 for occupational health and safety. When you think about it, it makes sense that these 3 made the top of the list.

Construction is a very complex industry with lots of moving parts. Construction projects demand a lot of resources, time, and expertise. ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 provide both service providers and receivers with assurances that speak to the quality of the final product, the environmental care practised, and most importantly, the safety measures employed to keep workers safe.

I say most important here because although the three elements are all extremely important (quality, environment, safety), if we had to choose one, it would have to be the safety of people. On this basis alone, ISO 45001:2018 - Occupational health and safety management earns the title of most important ISO standard for the construction industry. 

So, how does the ISO 45001 standard keep workers safe exactly and what is iso 45001 requirement for construction companies?

It is important to note that ISO 45001 does not actually prescribe any specific criteria for OH&S performance, nor is it prescriptive about the design of the OH&SMS. Instead, it sets the requirements for the implementation of an OH&SMS. It is the responsibility of the organisation’s leadership to use its guidance to take action to integrate safety measures throughout the organisation based on the context in which it operates and the needs and expectations of its employees and other interested parties.

Let’s look at some of the clauses of the standard to see just how they incorporate risk-based thinking to promote behavior aimed at reducing workplace injury and illness.

Leadership and worker participation roll in ISO 45001

Clause 5 of the standard designates upper management as responsible for ensuring that the OH&SMS is functioning effectively. Upper management is also responsible for establishing the OH&S policy, making sure its objectives are in line with organisational goals and incorporating health and safety management into the organisational plan. Another key responsibility upper management holds ensuring that the importance of the OH&SMS is sufficiently conveyed while engaging directly with employees and encouraging innovation and continual improvement. 

Planning and support, core objectives of the OH&S certification

This clause states that the core objectives of the OH&SMS must be stated in the health and safety policy and should be to provide employees with a safe and healthy work environment. Risk management tools must be used to reduce the chances of accidents and occupational ill-health. This clause is also included in ISO 9001 certification. For more information, you can refer to the article iso 9001 audit for construction companies.

Managing risks and opportunities, the golden key to success in ISO 45001 in construction company

Clause 6, which deals with OH&SMS effective planning, states that collaborative efforts involving employees at all levels of the organisation should take place when planning for an OH&SMS, where hazards and risks will be identified, eliminated and controlled before they take place. Prevention is better than cure. 

Procurement and supply chain, Reduce the likelihood of failure!

Organisations must ensure that any subcontracted activities that could potentially affect its health and safety management system are subjected to proper verification. This clause requires you to put in place a process through which goods procured and services outsourced are put through to ensure they do not have the potential to negatively affect the OH&SMS and its outcomes. The standard recommends a holistic approach across the supply chain.

Communication, make sure your construction company stays in club!

This clause dictates that organisations must develop, implement and sustain a process for internal and external communications applicable to the OH&S management system. This process must enable information gathering, updating and dissemination. The information must include the following:

• What areas to communicate on?
• When is it appropriate to communicate?
• With whom to communicate (internal or external parties)?
• Exactly how to communicate?

If your organisation has been considering certifying to any of the standards mentioned in this article, our team of senior consultants can assist, from management system implementation all the way to certification. We will advise you on the most appropriate standards for your organisation and conduct a free Gap Analysis on your systems to determine the extent of the work required to align your organisation with the requirements of the applicable standards. You can reach our senior consultants by calling 02 8091 5777.

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