Building on a strong foundation
Livingstone Building Achieves ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 Integrated Management System Certification
Overview
Livingstone Building, a commercial construction company with four regional offices across New Zealand, successfully achieved ISO 45001 certification with Site Safe assisting them with their internal auditing. ISO 45001 is an international standard for occupational health and safety management systems, aimed at reducing occupational injuries and diseases while promoting and protecting physical and mental health. Although not legally required, ISO 45001 serves as an excellent guide for companies striving to enhance and continually improve their health and safety practices.
The ISO 45001 opportunity
Livingstone Building recognised the growing demand for ISO 45001 certification among clients, particularly for tender opportunities. To meet this demand and demonstrate their commitment to health and safety, Livingstone Building sought to align their processes with ISO 45001 standards. This refined their health and safety management system, including processes, procedures, and documentation.
Building on a strong foundation
As long-standing Members of Site Safe, Livingstone Building already had a strong foundation in health and safety. They had previously worked with Site Safe to provide staff with training such as Foundation Passport, Supervisor and obtaining SiteWise Gold and On-Site Auditing services reflecting this commitment. Safety is valued at all levels of the organisation and through Site Safe’s consultancy services, a high-level overview of Livingstone Building’s board of directors around their roles and responsibilities and how this aligns with the Health and Safety at Work Act and relevant legislation has also been delivered. With such a close working relationship, Livingstone Building knew that Site Safe would be more than capable of contributing to their success in achieving ISO 45001.
The Process
Achieving ISO 45001 certification involves a three-year cycle:
- Year 1: Initial certification audit.
- Years 2 and 3: Surveillance audits to ensure ongoing compliance.
Before external audits, internal audits are conducted to review the system and identify any issues. Site Safe's impartial auditors played a crucial role in this process, providing detailed reports and recommendations for improvement. Jade Thomas reflects,
“Having a fresh set of eyes over your system from someone that's not using it day-to-day is a huge plus.”
Site Safe’s Lead Auditor, Stephan Geldenhuys conducted thorough audits to provide an impartial review of Livingstone Building's health and safety management system.
“Stephan sends us through his audit schedule in advance and outlines what each day will look like throughout the auditing phase. Stephan and I often catch up to discuss the process, findings and any other health and safety topics that are on my mind.” – Jade Thomas, Health, Safety & Wellbeing Manager
During the auditing phase, Stephan identifies any gaps and ensures compliance with ISO 45001 standards. These audits included both office and site-based observations. Based on the findings, Livingstone Building made continuous improvements to their health and safety practices, aligning with ISO 45001 standards and enhancing their overall system.
Partnering for success
With partnering with Site Safe to complete the internal auditing portion of ISO requirements, Livingstone Building successfully achieved ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001: 2015, and ISO 45001:2018 Integrated Management System Certification in 2023. The certification has provided a solid structure that not only impresses their clients but also strengthens their position when applying for tenders. Most importantly though, it demonstrates their commitment to their people and continuous improvement, ensuring they are not stagnant on safety but always progressing.
Continuing the ISO 45001 process means Livingstone Building are always ahead of the curve and knowledgeable about legislative changes, enabling them to be compliant and accountable.
“From an environmental perspective, our certification has driven us to explore innovative ways to protect the environment, particularly in waste management. This commitment to sustainability enhances our reputation and brand, showing our dedication to quality, environmental stewardship, and safety.” - Jade Thomas, Health, Safety & Wellbeing Manager, Livingstone Building
Overall, ISO 45001 has been instrumental in improving Livingstone Building’s risk management practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and maintaining their competitive edge in the industry.
Conclusion
The collaboration between Site Safe and Livingstone Building highlights the growing importance of ISO 45001 certification in the construction industry. ISO 45001 proves the value of external auditing, continuous improvement, and a strong commitment to health and safety.[CL1]
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