NEC XON achieves ISO 45001 certification

Thabiet Gabier, Head SHEQ Department at NEC XON

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I am delighted to share the news that our Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) department has received the ISO 45001 certification. This is a significant advanced safety culture milestone for NECXON, making us one of only two NEC affiliates in EMEA, alongside NEC UK, to achieve this rigorous standard.

ISO 45001 is not just a certification; it's an international standard that transcends geographic, political, and social boundaries. Achieving this certification demonstrates our unwavering commitment to providing a safe working environment, reassuring our clients, vendors, staff, and subcontractors that NEC XON upholds the highest standards of occupational health and safety wherever we operate. Being assessed by a respected certification body and meeting these stringent requirements on a global scale enhances our reputation, making us a preferred service provider for international organisations looking to do business in Africa.

A Rigorous Implementation Process
The process of obtaining ISO 45001 certification is extensive, involving theoretical understanding, practical implementation, and proof of compliance. The journey begins with management’s commitment to advanced safety culture, as accountability is a critical aspect of the standard. Given the stakes involved in people's safety, the first step is to conduct a gap analysis to understand our current position and identify areas for improvement.

Understanding the context of our organisation involves an analysis to identify internal and external stakeholders and their expectations. This information helps define our OHS (Occupational Health and Safety) scope, outlining the specific areas and activities covered by our Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS). One of the biggest challenges was interpreting OHS in a way that fits our dynamic organisation. Implementing a practical approach that aligns with both the OHS Act and ISO standards required extensive development, planning, and training. After 18 months of hard work, we achieved certification with only two minor non-conformities, which we have already addressed.

At NEC XON, our executives, managers, and department heads are well-versed in their responsibilities towards the OHSMS, documented in an OHS Scope document signed annually by the CEO. Unique to ISO 45001 is the emphasis on worker participation, necessitating an OHS Committee with both worker and company representatives to address safety concerns effectively.

Risk management is another cornerstone of ISO 45001. Setting SMART objectives (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based) helps manage and mitigate risks. At NEC XON, we hold monthly risk review sessions where hazards and risks are openly discussed, allowing for practical mitigation strategies.

Change Management and Competence
Change management is integral to the certification process. Organisations must demonstrate how changes are assessed, communicated, and adopted without endangering the workforce. Competence and documentation are emphasised, requiring competent personnel and comprehensive documentation of processes, policies, and procedures.

Operational aspects involved demonstrating daily safety practices, showing that staff and subcontractors are aware of their duties and conduct them safely. Internal audits play a significant role here, where organisations review their initial gap analysis and evaluate compliance with standards, policies, legal requirements, and customer expectations. These audits inform management reviews, essential for continual improvement.

The Culmination - Achieving Certification
The certification process culminates with an external audit. Auditors review monthly inspections, OHS Committee meetings, risk reviews, training records, and other evidence. Based on their findings, the auditor either recommends certification or identifies areas for improvement. Certification bodies like BSI verify the auditor’s report and, if all requirements are met, issue the certification.

Overall, the process of obtaining ISO 45001 certification ensures that organisations establish a comprehensive system to manage occupational health and safety risks, ultimately protecting employee well-being and enhancing operational efficiency.

Improvement and People Involvement
Back in September 2021, NEC XON did not have a dedicated OHS department. The commitment began by appointing a dedicated resource to direct SHEQ, which, I, Thabiet Gabier, now lead. Our managers understand their legal responsibilities to ensure their staff work safely. For our clients, the word "trusted" is crucial, and they expect us to adhere to international standards without further scrutiny.

We established an OHS Committee with nominated staff representatives who are trained to raise critical issues. This committee meets quarterly and remains active in bringing safety concerns to top management’s attention. To align with the standard, certain staff underwent ISO 45001-2018 requirements, implementation, and internal auditor training. Our Internal Auditor and I received lead auditor certification to ensure a strategic approach to meeting the standard’s requirements. This training provided valuable insights into the difference between implementation and auditing, allowing us to identify necessary training for our staff, from legal liability to first aid and fire training.

Maintaining and continually improving our standards involves strict adherence to existing processes and procedures, regular drills, and readiness assessments. Our goal is to create an advanced safety culture throughout the organisation, ensuring our colleagues return home safely every day.

Forging Ahead
Our commitment doesn’t end with certification. We will continually assess our processes, strive for improvement, and ensure that safety remains a top priority at NEC XON. Thank you for your support and dedication to making NEC XON a safer place to work.