Business Issue: EHS Integration, Maximizing Value
Developing Integrated process-oriented management systems

The requirements of the international standards on quality, environmental and health and safety management systems are very similar. Adopting the process approach of the revised ISO 9000:2000 standard will facilitate the integration of the three systems into one comprehensive management system. The Rolled Products Europe VAMS team (Value Adding Manufacturing Systems) is coordinating the management system integration projects.

An integrated management system will benefit the plants by facilitating continual improvement and ensuring conformity to customer and legal requirements, thereby also adding value to the system. Although it is vital that the management system fits the individual plant and its culture, the coordinated approach will ensure a common understanding throughout the group.

Electronic document management at the majority of our locations ensures compliance with international standards on document control in addition to clarifying responsibilities and maximizing employee involvement at the site. At Norf and Göttingen (Germany), documents are distributed by e-mail directly to employees on the shop floor. This ensures that the right information is available in the right place and at the right time. Göttingen already has a process oriented integrated system certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001. As part of continual improvement, further work is under way to model all the processes. Innovative approaches also include those at our Nachterstedt plant (Germany) where work instructions are now supplemented with actual photographs of employees performing the task.

Benefits of the integrated management system include enhanced transparency, a uniform approach and a better understanding of how the plant does business. In addition, increased employee awareness of day-to-day quality issues and EHS factors contribute to smooth operations, which result in customer satisfaction and workforce commitment.