QuEnHeSa model is a model for integrating quality, environment, health and safety management systems’ requirements into a single document, thus benefiting thousands of organizations who are implementing ISO 9001:2008 QMS, ISO 14001:2004 EMS and OHSAS 18001:2007 Standards. The adoption of QuEnHeSa model should be a strategic decision of an organization. The design and implementation of QuEnHeSa model (implementation of integrated QMS, EMS and OHSAS management systems) is influenced by:
• Organization’s environment (present and future) and the risks associated with the organization’s environment,
• varying needs of the organization,
• particular objectives of the organization,
• products the organization provides,
• processes the organization employs,
• Organization’s activities,
• legal and other requirements,
• size, type and structure of the organization
The purpose of QuEnHeSa Model is to provide a model to follow in setting up and operating integrated management systems (integrating quality, environment, occupational health and safety management systems). This model incorporates the features on which developers of QuEnHeSa model have reached a consensus. It is not the intention of this model to imply uniformity in the structure of the integrated management systems as per this QuEnHeSa model or uniformity of documentation.
The QuEnHeSa model can be used by organizations, as a guide, to implement integrated (quality, environmental, occupational health and safety) management systems and to assess the organization’s ability to meet customer, statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to the product, and the organization’s own requirements and also compliance to the requirements of this QuEnHeSa model. During the development of this QuEnHeSa model, following twelve principles have been considered:
• Customer focus,
• Leadership,
• Involvement of people,
• Process approach,
• System approach to management,
• Continual improvement,
• Factual approach to decision making,
• Mutually beneficial supplier relationship,
• Environmental performance,
• Prevention of pollution,
• Health and safety performance,
• Prevention of accidents
‘QuEnHeSa’ model promotes process approach
The QuEnHeSa model promotes the adoption of process approach while developing, implementing and improving the effectiveness of the integrated management systems based on this QuEnHeSa model. An organization has to determine and manage numerous linked activities. The process approach of QuEnHeSa model promotes the „Plan-Do-Check-Act‟ methodology. Sustainable performance in implementing QuEnHeSa model is achieved through commitment, planning, implementation, monitoring, measurement and continual improvement. The QuEnHeSa model requirements are organized into eight elements (in clauses 4 to 11). Organizations implementing QuEnHeSa model must demonstrate their commitment for continual improvement of the performance and effectiveness of the integrated management
Systems.
Compatibility with other management systems
The following standards have been taken into consideration during the development of the QuEnHeSa model:
- ISO 14001
- OHSAS 18001
- ISO 9001
The QuEnHeSa model is compatible with OHSAS 18001:2007, ISO 14001:2004 EMS, and ISO 9001:2008 QMS Standards. Organizations wishing to implement integrated management systems will find this QuEnHeSa model document as useful document.
QuEnHeSa model development journey
QuEnHeSa model development journey started in June 2010, when Dr. Divya Singhal and Keshav Ram Singhal started their efforts to develop a model to integrate quality, environmental and occupational health and safety management systems. The developers issued the first draft of the model in September 2010. The copy of the first draft of the model was sent to hundreds of professionals for their comments and suggestions. Many of the professionals appreciated the efforts of the developers through their email and many forwarded their suggestions. The developers issued the second draft and final draft in November 2010 and January 2011 respectively. A few of them are as under:
Robert Wimmers (Netherlands) stated – “The ISO 9001 governs the relationship between producer and client. The ISO 14001 governs the relationship between producer and its environment (be it local or global). The OHSAS 18001 governs the relationship between the producer and its internal employees and visitors. The main challenge facing anyone integrating these systems is to make certain any and all relationships are fully covered by the integrated system.”
Helmut Jilling (Cleveland, Ohio) stated – “I liked it, and fully support the idea of integrating the systems. I have audited many companies who use a fully integrated approach. However, wouldn’t it be simpler to call it Q+EHS instead of QuEnHeSa.” He also stated – “The integration sounds like a good approach.”
Alice Correa (Brazil) sent her specific comments on the contents of the model. Alice stated – “First, I must say I have a particular view of integration of quality, environmental and health and safety issues. I see integration as not only integrating what the system have in common but also integrating issues that are just present in one of the systems and can add values to the QuEnHeSa performance as a whole. In this way these three aspects of business can be integrated in practice and not only on paper. The guide you have provided is a good reference but I believe much focused in the common issues among standards. It is helpful once it puts all the requirements in one single document. It could also, in my opinion, be a great contribution if it highlighted the possibility of integration of ‘what is not common’ in that case it would be more of implementation guidance.”
Martin Anderson (UK) provided his specific comments. Martin suggested adding an appendix showing the mapping between the QuEnHeSa and standards (just to verify completeness) and the final version has included the same.
Andrew Cutz (Canada) stated about the QuEnHeSa model – “An interesting idea …”
Priyavrat Thareja (India) stated – “QuEnHeSa model essentially carries the same format as QMS, thus simple to understand and integrate.”
Sally Goodman (UK), who reviewed QuEnHeSa model draft 1 and suggested a few points related to policy, planning, human resources, addressing competence of auditors etc. A few suggestions are under consideration of the developers, which she suggested for movement and integration of sections. Sally also reviewed QuEnHeSa model draft 2 and stated QuEnHeSa model to be a useful document and also suggested a few points.
Prof. James Evans (University of Cincinnati) commented, “I think this is a wonderful and innovative concept …”
The developers say, “Any accomplishment requires the effort of many people and this work of developing QuEnHeSa model is no different. This model is the result of a collection from various sources, such as magazines, periodicals, speakers, writers, participants, emails, discussion notes at various internet sites and groups, over the last many years. Unfortunately, sources were not always noted or available, hence it is difficult for us to provide an accurate acknowledgement. Regardless of the source, we wish to express our gratitude to all those who may have contributed to this work, even though anonymously. We always invite suggestions for improvement.”
Final Draft Informative version of QuEnHeSa model is available free. Persons / organizations interested to get a copy should contact by email to krsinghal@rediffmail.com. Full text of the Final Draft is available on a support contribution of US$ 25 (from organization / person outside India), Rs. 500 (from organization / person within India).
