Emergency Response Plans are a requirement for all Australian businesses. It's more than just an evacuation plan. So what's in one?

Business Victoria says that Systems are a key step for business growth

Gliffy recently announced they will turn off the API we use to provide Process Map drawing functionality in QST. We've now found a replacement service and will be migrating all Process Maps to Draw.io over the next 10 days.

It's not just assessments!

What are the kinds of evidence to look for? What's expected to be in place?

In the 2015 release of the ISO 9001 Quality Management Standard, references to 'documents' and 'records' have now been replaced by "documented information". Requirements have also changed.

Under the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards, it's recognised that safety and quality of care will be at risk if the workforce does not have the appropriate level of skill or experience. While this is equally true for the safety and quality of service in any other industry, the detail required and the risks involved make tracking credentials one of the most difficult parts of HR management in healthcare.

The Australian Government publishes a plain english guide to the auditing criteria for the "FSC Safety Scheme for Government Construction Projects". It's a useful resource for other safety systems too.

The updated quality management standard - ISO 9001:2015 - has now been published and is available in the ISO store.

With the imminent release of the next ISO9001 Quality Management System Standard, as well as a new draft of the National Safety and Quality Health Services Standards (NSQHSS) and a review of the Credentialing/Scope of Clinical Practice Standard, there are big changes coming for health practitioners in Australia.

Used to analyse Environmental Aspects and impacts, and to look at how different activities influence those impacts. This will help set the direction for developing measurements and then targets/ objectives for reducing your environmental impacts.

Although the standard does not make this distinction, many businesses choose to handle minor and major nonconformities differently. This approach helps make sure resources are directed appropriately. However, you can't simply decide to ignore minor problems. Many small issues add up to a major problem.

In order to maintain the quality of your product or service, you need to look after the equipment that helps you provide it!

The quality management standard states that you have to ensure your product or service meets both customer and legal requirements. To keep all the 'red tape' under control, you'll need a system.

New 'How-to' on including externally generated, electronic data collection forms in your quality management system.

Businesses have a duty of care to their workers and are required to manage risks to health and safety, including 'Managing Risk of Hearing Loss from Noise' contained in the 'Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011'

While the popular press is awash with various weight loss strategies for achieving a common personal New Year's resolution, you might like to try the business version - reducing waste (rather than 'waist') to become more "Lean".

Australia has state-based as well as national prequalification schemes for government construction work tenders. Pre-qualification schemes are also used in the UK for government procurement.

Which documents should be reviewed regularly? Are there any that don't need it? How can you manage periodic reviews for important documents with QSToolbox?

Inspection and Test Plans set out critical control points or 'hold points' where you will conduct an inspection or check in order to verify that things are progressing as they should be. For ISO 9001, it's part of Monitoring and Measurement.

Taking on the role of Management Rep? What's required? What is expected? Here's a list of responsibilities that you might see in the description for the role of Quality System "Management Representative"

Manage your workplace inspections, insurance renewals, etc using QSToolbox.

Some users may be more comfortable using a pictorial menu to retrieve relevant documents. You can build your own custom graphical interface into your management system and make it easier for users to access information from mobile devices.

If a picture tells a thousand words, can you use one instead of words for procedures and work instructions? What about videos? Have a look at how to include this kind of "non-written" documentation in QSToolbox in a way that's best for mobile users.

Compliance management systems that store documents and records on paper and on servers managed by in-house IT, all have the same "pain" points when the company outgrows their management system.

Getting a headache just thinking about managing all those test and tagging schedules and records? Take a look at our latest support page with tips on how to reduce the record keeping workload while still maintaining accurate and useful records.

Using revision dates and revision numbers are both common document control methods for identifying the current version of the document. Some companies use both dates and numbers. What is actually required?

When is a form a controlled document and when is it a record?

Rather than trying to navigate down multi-level hierarchical folder systems (only to find you’ve taken the wrong path), use the search capabilities built into QSToolbox.

Have a look at a worked example of managing calibration of measuring and test equipment using QSToolbox - a recent addition to our support resources.

Ian shares a recent experience of explaining calibration management to a client

London 2012 is fast approaching us, so to help manage mega events such as the Olympics, as well as smaller celebrations, the International Organisation for Standardization, with help from over 30 countries, has developed the ISO 20121:2012 events management standard.

Could this scheme provide a template for our mining companies to follow here in Australia?

The International Organization for Standardization has launched a contest for young standards professionals from developing countries and economies.

An infomative handbook about the requirements for quality management systems for SME's.

Improve environmental and financial performance simultaneously? YES! The new ISO standard on Environmental Management Accounting (EMA) shows how.

The International Organization for Standardization has published a new brochure titled The Force Multiplier for ICT Innovation, for improving information and communication technology standards.

Take a look at a case study from the JAS-ANZ database, detailing everything you need to know such as implemention and challenges of a quality management system to the ISO9001 standard...

An interesting article on the International Organization for Standardization website, proving the versatility of ISO standards. Here we see how an ISO standard is applied to avoid incorrect declarations about the quality of soluble instant coffee products.

Found this interesting article in Quality Digest about how one US manufacturer used LEAN techniques and self-directed work teams to drive productivity improvements and quarantee 100% on-time deliveries.

recent survey in the UK that provides data indicating how ISO9001 has helped business win more work

A look at how to keep track of expiry dates using Quality Systems Toolbox.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has released an online safety benchmarking tool.

Harmonisation of WHS laws in Australia will commence on 1 Jan 2012, making OHS easier for companies operating in multiple states.

Tips and tricks for stress free internal quality system audits

When implementing a new ISO9001 Quality Management System, it is sometimes difficult to know where to begin. A common question is 'which procedures do I need to document?". Here's a way to help you find out which procedures your company needs to control to ensure quality, and how much to document.

ISO 9001 has a real impact on the on-going development and success of your organisation when all employees participate in the quality system. Find out how to get moving.

My observation is that small / medium companies across Australia struggle to maintain paper-based quality systems. Are web-based quality systems a viable option?