Page 18: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Sep/Oct 2013)

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Opinion

ThoughtStream

Chris Docherty, FQM Ltd.

Putting the ‘Q’ into HSE n order to utilize quality to bring There are fve steps to successful Just as quality in practice has to be about an effective HSE system, health and safety management, all of defned at the beginning of any pro- frst it must be defned. This in which share similarities to a quality cess, quality in behavior should begin

I itself is a challenge as quality is at board level, infuencing the HSE often about the perception of the culture within an organization to send individual. Joseph Juran, principally a positive message to all stakehold- “Just as quality in practice remembered as an evangelist for qual- ers, importantly including the supply ity, gave the defnition as “ftness for chain. has to be defned at the use” whereas Philip Crosby, author

Although there are many com- of “The Fourteen Steps to Quality panies that believe quality is a key beginning of any process,

Improvement,” thought it was more a factor in ensuring success - especially quality in behavior should case of “right frst time.” in an environment that is high risk,

Perhaps the simplest defnition is competitive and selective - there are begin at board level, that of the Oxford English Dictionary equally many companies that are not which says “the degree of excellence committed to a quality approach. infuencing the HSE culture of something.” Whichever defnition

This is often due to a lack of under- is used, a quality approach to achiev- standing of the link between HSE and within an organization ing effective health, safety and envi- quality, which in this case is very to send a positive message ronmental responsibilities is one that much about providing consistency can bring immediate benefts to the and assurance.

to all stakeholders, organization.

There has never been a better time

Quality is easy to say, but is it a word to adopt a quality approach in the importantly including that is overused as well as ill-defned? way you operate your business, espe-

After all, what company believes it is cially when it comes to health, safety the supply chain.” not applying quality to everything it and environment. It is an exciting, does? and vibrant time for our industry as we look ahead to the next 50 years; management system; policy, organiz-

The subject of quality has long so please consider putting “Q” into ing, planning/implementing, measur- been recognized, with quality con-

HSE and do not let your company ing and improving. trol, quality assurance and quality make headline news for the wrong

Following these steps with a quality improvement being the three main reasons.

approach will help keep staff safe and approaches to quality management. injury free at work, while reducing the

There are, however, well documented cost of injuries, illness, and damage. Chris Docherty is a faws and differing opinions on the

Not to mention, avoiding extremely director of Aberdeen- effectiveness of these approaches damaging and costly legal actions that based consultancy when individually applied. Rather can sometimes follow as well as the FQM Ltd, previously than focus on any one of the above, it incalculable human cost and suffering known as Facilitators is a holistic approach that will deliver to those injured. Quality Management, quality in the successful management

According to the Health & Safety with responsibility for FQM Training of HSE, from processes, procedures

Executive, you cannot be a “quality” and sales and marketing. He has over and people, through to suppliers organization unless these sound prin- 20 years experience in contracts, of products and services, and the ciples are applied to the management quality management and project assurance and improvement in these of health and safety. management at a senior Level.

elements.

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