Transport Operations and HSQE Associate Liz Parkes looks at AARCPS’s move towards ISO 9001 certification – a process she is helping to lead.
As they say, every journey begins with a single step or turn of the wheel. At AARC Professional Services, we’ve taken the first step along the road to our own HSQE system development and BS EN 1SO 9001: 2015 Quality Management Systems certification, following the standard’s ‘cycle of continuous improvement.’ Established with the common aim of delivering expert support and advisory services to the rail industry, AARC Professional Services is already committed to providing its clients with outstanding outcomes to keep the wheels of continuous improvement turning, working hard to embed quality into everything that we do, whilst helping to not only meet but exceed client expectations. We also enjoy working with all of our stakeholders to encourage innovation and a strong safety culture, not only within our own business, but across the various services that we provide. In direct support of this, our journey towards ISO certification certainly seems the right thing to do and the right time to do it.
Continuous cycle of improvement, adapted with acknowledgements to ISO (2015)
A good example of this commitment is an assignment we completed for Network Rail to remodel its overarching health and safety management system, now available on its Safety Central website, followed by the production of a dedicated health and safety guide for its System Operator function. In addition and in support of the recent Rail Safety Week 2024, we also attended the IOSH Railway Conference held in Leeds on 27th June to find out more about how we can work effectively with others throughout the industry. At the event, we heard from Ian Prosser, the recently retired HM Chief Inspector of Railways, about the importance of collaborative working and joint visions, as well as challenges for the rail industry. Ann Mills from the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) also introduced the new Rail Health and Safety Strategy, whilst Andy Hall from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) spoke about the lessons from the investigation into the Collision Between Passenger Trains at Salisbury Tunnel Junction in 2021, as well as rail adhesion management.
Back to the ISO 9001 standard itself, which has at its hub the identification and meeting of clients’ and other stakeholders’ requirements – something we here at AARC Professional Services are clearly focused on as we continuously strive to further integrate joint working with all relevant parties into our services. I’m pleased to say this was something that became apparent as part of the ISO 9001 certification process, with the initial internal checks and gap analysis conducted by BSI in April showing that we were clearly heading in the right direction. This was borne out by the recent Stage One certification audit in June, which came back with no negative observations or corrective actions. Whilst this is very encouraging, there is still a long way to go and work is already ongoing to make sure that we are ready for the Stage Two certification audit in September. Via these blogs, we’ll keep you updated on our progress and hopefully even welcome you to join us along the way.
