5 min read Debates over contractor management in the past several years include the amount of oversight a Hiring Client needs to identify the risks associated with contractor use and how to score contractors accurately and consistently. At a high level, contractor management is the practice of managing outsourced work performed for an individual company. The simplicity of the definition, however, can be misleading in that it doesn’t speak to the types of information that need to be managed, who should be involved and what is considered a best-in-class contractor management program. Building the Case for Contractor Management In 2018, ISN surveyed 204 decision makers from 161 Hiring Clients across various industries to gather feedback on the challenges, trends and future of contractor management. Of those surveyed, 95% expect outsourced work to increase or remain at the same rate over the next several years. The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) reports that historical trends of contractor work hour exposure has grown by five times over the past 20 years. Regulations, legislation and legal requirements are constantly changing, which creates a difficult landscape for Hiring Clients to understand a contractor’s work history and potential risk. For example, Mexico’s Department of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) in June 2013 published rules outlining an employer’s obligation to develop and implement detailed employee training programs. And in 2017, the Province of Alberta passed Bill 30: An Act to Protect the Health and Well-being of Working Albertans, which was put in place to improve worker safety and modernize workplace standards and practices. A committee of occupational health and safety experts from the International Organization for Standardization released the new health and safety management system standard, ISO 45001, in March 2018. Although a global standard and not law, Australia is one of the first countries to introduce ISO 45001 country wide. Hiring Clients must focus on their contractor management strategy to keep up with growing work, comply with local regulations and reduce the potential liabilities of their organization. Companies are struggling, however, to standardize their contractor management programs and practices. Contractor Management Collection and Verification Basics A major debate for Hiring Clients is what information needs to be collected, verified and managed. If you asked 10 different Hiring Clients, you would likely receive 10 different responses about what information should be included. When building your contractor management program, start with the basics, like information on health and safety, insurance and training programs. Health and Safety Information Contractors are required to develop, implement and maintain written health and safety programs as well as document past and present injury statistics. However, Hiring Clients lack the manpower to collect, verify and audit contractors’ health and safety written programs and historical performance. Hiring Clients need a system in place to collect, trend and store these written programs and injury statistics to ensure the organization has a clear picture of contractors’ safe work practices. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) outlines six key benefits companies will see by implementing health and safety programs: Prevent workplace injuries and illnesses Improve compliance with laws and regulations Reduce costs, including significant reductions in workers’ compensation premiums Engage workers Enhance their social responsibility goals Increase productivity and enhance overall business operations Insurance Information The financial and risk burden does not fall solely on the Hiring Client. Contractors are required to carry various types of insurance based on the type of work they perform and their company structure. For Hiring Clients, the need to verify a contractor maintains the required insurance policies is a burden. At any time, policies can expire, be cancelled or change during the relationship between the Hiring Client and contractor. Training Programs Contractor management does not stop at the company level. A successful contractor management program includes evaluating individual employees to determine if they are qualified to perform their scope of work on a jobsite. Contractor companies and employees are required to maintain trade qualifications for type of work the employees are performing. It is a duty of the Hiring Client to verify and audit the qualifications of contractor employees to ensure educated, qualified and competent workers are performing work on Hiring Client property. The ability of the Hiring Clients to constantly maintain and verify hundreds or even thousands of employee qualifications on a day-to-day basis is a significant resource burden for Hiring Clients. Contractor Management Lifecycle Once a Hiring Client identifies the priority information in their contractor management program, the next step is to set short-term and long-term goals to drive the program from being reactive to proactive. In a recent publication, The Orange Book, ISN outlines five priorities that drive contractor management goals within a Hiring Client organization. Improving safety performance of contractors and employees Improving business continuity and operations excellence Improving profitability through reduced costs, rework and incidents Improving regulatory compliance Meeting or exceeding internal management expectations By changing from a reactionary contractor management company to a proactive contractor management company, Hiring Clients can expect to have a closer relationship with contractor partners. How Technology Enhances Contractor Management Programs Once you decide to commit to improving your contractor management program, consider implementing technology to streamline the process. Established in 2001, ISN is the global leader in contractor and supplier information management. Our online contractor management software, ISNetworld, helps companies manage risk and qualify contractors to ensure they meet Hiring Client standards and regulatory requirements. In coordination with our Hiring Clients, ISN helps identify contractors that need to be included in each prequalification process. Our team then works directly with contractors to subscribe and submit required documentation to ISNetworld. The software allows Hiring Clients to collect, verify and trend documentation for a clear picture of the health and safety practices of their contractors. ISNetworld’s tools help organizations identify and evaluate the right contractors for each job. And since all tools are included in each Hiring Client’s subscription, we can customize every implementation to support your specific challenges and priorities for one annual fee. Let us Help If you’re a current ISN Hiring Client, speak with your ISN team about how your organization’s contractor management program and contractor performance align with your industry peers. If you’re a Hiring Client interested in learning how a partnership with ISN could support your organization’s contractor management efforts, request a demo of our ISNetworld platform. If you’re a contractor and need help with your ISNetworld account, contact our Customer Service team for support 24 hours a day during the business week.
The 2019 Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) Professional Development Conference will be held on September 22-25 in Winnipeg, MB. ISN will be located at Booth #57 throughout the trade show from September 23-24. We invite you to stop by to discuss best practices in contractor management and see a live demonstration of ISNetworld, ISN’s online contractor management platform. Attend ISN’s Workshop Session Richard Cerenzio, Senior Director, and Darren Hamman, Senior Technical Manager at ISN will be presenting “Contractor Management Strategy – Insights from a Survey of Decision Makers” on Monday, September 23rd from 1:30-2:45pm. This workshop session will cover: Contractor Management Attributes of Leading Organizations Challenges of the Contractor Management Maturity Framework Threats and Priorities of Decision Makers How Organizations can Drive Continual Improvement About the CSSE Conference The CSSE has over 5,000 members working in various industries across the United States and Canada. As an organization, CSSE members work together towards a goal of accident prevention and enhancing the health, safety and environment profession. The annual CSSE Conference provides opportunities for health, safety and environment professionals to network with peers and attend technical workshops to stay current on the latest trends and industry best practices. We look forward to seeing you there.
Heat-related injuries or illness are caused by the overheating of your body. Heatstroke is the most severe, but other types include: Heat rash Heat syncope (fainting) Heat cramps Heat exhaustion Causes of HeatstrokeHeatstroke is the most severe form of a heat-related injury. There are two main causes of heatstroke: non-exertional and strenuous activity. Non-Exertional HeatstrokeIt is possible to experience heatstroke simply by being exposed to a hot environment, even without performing any type of physically demanding activity or work. This is caused by being in hot, humid weather or a hot environment that causes the core body temperature to rise to 104°F (40°C) or higher. Non-exertional heatstroke generally occurs to people who are in extreme heat for long periods of time. People without functioning air conditioners in their homes or businesses when the outside temperatures are high are at a greater risk of experiencing this type of heatstroke. Strenuous Activity HeatstrokeMany people are unaware that any physical activity while in the heat—whether seasonal or environmental—can increase the body’s core temperature and the risk for a heat-related injury or illness. Those at greater risk are outdoor workers or people who perform work in hot environments, including near equipment that gives off heat Firefighters, bakery workers, farmers, construction workers and factory workers should be aware of this increased risk. Increased RisksSeveral factors can increase your risk for heat-related injuries or illnesses. ClothingWearing clothing that prevents sweat from evaporating easily increases your risk for heatstroke. Your body is unable to cool itself through its typical process. DehydrationAs you sweat, you need to replenish fluids. While working in hot, humid weather and in hot environments, it is important to stay hydrated. By not replenishing fluids, you become dehydrated. Consuming alcohol while exposed to the heat can be an added danger. It not only dehydrates your body, but it also affects your body’s ability to regulate its own temperature. AgeThis can play a pivotal role in your chances of developing heatstroke. Your body’s ability to cope in extreme heat depends on your central nervous system. Children who are very young do not have fully developed central nervous systems, and adults over age 65 have failing central nervous systems. Without a fully functional central nervous system to help adjust to extreme heat conditions, these age groups are at a greater risk for developing heatstroke. MedicationsCertain prescription and over-the-counter medications can affect your body’s ability to maintain itself, disturbing your body’s ability to cool itself or remain properly hydrated. Consult your doctor to discuss these and other potential side effects of medications you’re currently taking or considering. Signs and Symptoms of HeatstrokeThe most common, well-known symptom of heatstroke is a high body temperature. When the core body temperature increases to 104°F (40°C) or higher, it’s hard for your body to maintain its normal functions. It can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs, like your heart, kidneys and muscles throughout your body. While high core body temperature is the most common symptom, there are other signs to look for when you are exposed to extreme heat conditions. People can also experience the following: Changes in mental status, including agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium and/or seizures. Changes in sweating – When people are hot, they sweat in order to help cool the body. Alterations in sweating can be indicative of heatstroke. Instead of sweating, your skin will feel hot and dry to the touch. Nausea and vomiting Flushed skin Faster breathing Racing heart Headache Dizziness Loss of coordination Seek Immediate HelpIf you experience signs or symptoms of heatstroke you should seek immediate medical attention. Delaying medical treatment can lead to increased injury to your body, causing permanent damage or disability. This can increase the risk for serious complications that, in turn, can lead to death. Best Practices to Prevent HeatstrokeWhen experiencing extreme heat conditions, there are measures you can take to help prevent heatstroke. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothingThis allows your body to cool itself through sweat evaporation. Protect yourself against sunburnThis could include wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, or apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Drink plenty of fluidsEnsure you are also replenishing the minerals and salts that are lost through sweat by drinking sports drinks in addition to water. Take precautions with certain medications – Medications can affect your body’s ability to cope with high heat conditions. If you are at greater risk of heat-related injury or illness due to medications you are taking, consult with a supervisor before performing work in hot environments. Avoid performing strenuous activities during the heat of the day – While this is sometimes out of our control, if you have to work during times of elevated temperature, take plenty of breaks, be sure that shade or air conditioning is available and you are staying hydrated. Get acclimatedGive your body the chance to acclimate to its surroundings. This often takes multiple days or weeks to become fully acclimated. If you are not used to high heat conditions, your body will likely not cope well to the situation. Be cautiousBe aware of yourself and your capabilities, especially if you are at an increased risk of developing heatstroke due to additional risk factors mentioned above. Never leave anyone in parked vehicleThis is the most common cause for heat-related death in children. When a vehicle is parked, whether in the sun or the shade, the temperature within the vehicle can increase by 20°F (6.7°C) within a 10-minute time period. It is never safe in warm or hot weather. Even if you are parked in the shade with the windows cracked, it remains a great danger. Use the buddy systemWhen working in extreme heat conditions, do not do so alone. Monitor conditions of co-workers and have someone do the same for you. You can witness any changes to mental status and help them seek immediate medical attention if needed. How ISN Can HelpTraining on a documented Heat Illness Prevention Program can help employees identify the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and how to prevent them. ISN Hiring Clients can require these programs to be submitted by their contractors for review or can require their contractors to train employees on the topic. If you are a current Hiring Client with ISN, ask your account team for information on our written program, training and supporting documents covering heat-related injuries and illnesses. Are you a Hiring Client and interested to learn how ISN could help you manage your contractors and validate written programs like heat illness prevention? Request a demo of our contractor management system, ISNetworld. If you are a contractor, ask your supervisor for a copy of your company’s heat illness prevention policies and programs to help avoid heat-related injuries, illnesses and incidents.
Creating a thorough verification process is a top contractor management priority for Hiring Clients in Mexico. For years, Hiring Clients and contractors have found discrepancies between local jobsite requirements and documentation. This often leaves Hiring Client companies at risk of assuming liability for potential incidents. ISNetworld provides a review and verification process for Hiring Clients to keep track of all their contractors. Through ISNetworld, ISN collects, reviews and stores information for the Hiring Clients’ suppliers and contractors in one location. This allows the Hiring Client to streamline their qualification process and to evaluate their contractors and suppliers based on the specific criteria they establish, including insurance. While insurance is a central part of most risk management strategies, numerous Hiring Clients in Mexico have discovered after joining ISNetworld that a high percentage of their contractors’ insurance policies did not comply with their requirements. Insufficient coverage or documentation have been the primary factors of noncompliance. Download our one-page brochure on insurance requirements in Mexico for an abridged version of this post. Insurance by the Numbers As of 2019, there are more than 500 Hiring Clients across 21 countries that require insurance documents to be submitted to ISNetworld There were 590,000+ insurance reviews completed by ISN in 2018 and 320,000+ in the first half of 2019 ISNetworld has more than 5,300 registered Insurance Agent/Broker subscribers More than 50% of Hiring Clients in Mexico require insurance documents from contractors in ISNetworld Most Frequently Required Insurance Policies by Hiring Clients in MexicoWithin an insurance exhibit document, a Hiring Client will typically dictate the types of policies and amount of coverage required for a contractor. Certain types of work or projects may require specialty coverage in addition to the standard minimum requirements. Commercial General Liability: Protection against claims for personal and bodily injuries and property damage resulting from a company’s operations Automobile Liability: Protection against claims resulting from the use of a company’s vehicles Specialty Policies: Depending on a company’s scope of work, required policies may include excess, professional, pollution and/or marine insurance, among others The Most Common Discrepancies in Insurance ReviewsThere are several discrepancies that result in rejected insurance policies. One missing or insufficient requirement will result in a deficient insurance status within ISNetworld. The most common discrepancies in Mexico include: Insured/company name does not match the company name in ISNetworld Expired policy dates Insufficient policy limits The coverage territory does not specifically state it applies to Mexico Automobile policies in Mexico also differ from the United States. In the U.S., an auto policy typically covers a variety of vehicles that are being used, but in Mexico, an automobile policy is issued per automobile. Another common scenario in Mexico is contractors may be required to provide higher than the minimum state-required limit for their automobiles. To avoid this potential deficiency, contractors can meet these higher limits through an excess policy that would cover the remaining required coverage. Best Practices for ComplianceContractors should follow a series of best practices when seeking to comply with Hiring Client insurance requirements: Use the Agent/Broker ToolThe ISNetworld Agent/Broker subscription allows contractors’ insurance providers to access Hiring Clients’ insurance requirements, submit documents on behalf of contractors and receive renewal reminders by email. Provide the necessary documentationOnly upload the necessary documents required by Hiring Clients. For example, do not upload insurance documents for a vehicle that is not used on a Hiring Client’s site. Submit your renewal policies before your current policies expireISNetworld will send contractors reminders starting 35 days prior to policy expiration dates to allow time for contractors to renew policies and submit for review. Use the Variance Tool when necessary This ISNetworld tool allows contractors to request exceptions from Hiring Clients for requirements that do not apply to the contractor’s scope of work or agreement. Let ISN HelpIf you are a Hiring Client and have questions about insurance requirements for your contractors, contact your ISN representative for more information. Are you a Hiring Client interested to learn how ISN could help you manage your contractors and insurance requirements? Request a demo of our contractor management system, ISNetworld. If you are a contractor who needs help submitting insurance requirements through ISNetworld, contact our customer support team for more information. Download our one-page brochure on insurance requirements in Mexico for an abridged version of this post.
About the NSC Congress & Expo The NSC Congress & Expo is the world’s largest annual event dedicated to workplace safety. For more than 100 years, professionals have turned to this event for industry-leading technology, education and networking opportunities. This Year’s Conference The NSC 2019 Congress and Expo will be held September 6-12 in San Diego, CA. Over 15,000 health, safety and environmental professionals will be in attendance from the US, Canada and more than 70 other countries. Visit our Booth ISN will be located at Booth #837 throughout the Expo on September 9-11. Stop by to discuss best practices in contractor management and see a live demonstration of ISNetworld, ISN’s online contractor management platform. We look forward to seeing you there.
The 2019 National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry will be held August 12-14 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Florida. The conference will feature health, safety and environmental speakers and showcase the latest in how factors such as ergonomics and regulatory compliance are impacting the poultry industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to network and collaborate with fellow industry safety professionals and join roundtable discussions with leaders who have empowered their employees and organizations to understand the value of safety. Join ISN in the exhibit hall during the conference to discuss our contractor management services and learn more about ISNetworld. The ISN team will be providing live demonstrations of the ISNetworld contractor management software, sharing publications and discussing best practices in contractor management. We look forward to seeing you there.
When you examine the pace of outsourcing work to contractors in the United States, you see that it’s increasing year-over-year. What challenges does this present, and how are companies managing those challenges? Contractor Outsourcing Trends by IndustryBased on a review of ISNetworld data, United States oil & gas and mining industries reported the most exposure hours in 2018. Trends reported by the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) show contractors accounted for 78% of work hours in the oil and gas industry in 2017, an increase of 11% from 2016. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry shows similar outsourcing trends. After a decline in construction following the financial crisis of 2007-2008, the usage of contractors reached pre-crisis levels again in 2018. Data shows the trend is poised to continue its upward trajectory. In a survey conducted by ISN, 95% of the surveyed Hiring Clients told us that they expect outsourcing their work to contractors to increase or remain the same. Our review of work-hour data in ISNetworld shows that there has indeed been undeniable growth across industries in outsourcing work to contractors. Two key reasons for this growth of contractorization stand out. Many companies lack the necessary resources to handle the work in-house, and contractors often provide a higher level of expertise to meet the demand for more specialized work. The Risks and Challenges Associated with Hiring ContractorsThe increase in outsourcing also increases risk exposure and other challenges for Hiring Clients. RisksA Hiring Client’s exposure to liability increases when hiring multiple contractors and suppliers. Additional employees on-site means more individuals with access to heavy machinery, chemicals and other dangerous resources required to perform work. A total of 11.4 billion work hours were reported in ISNetworld by more than 40,000 contractors across the U.S. in 21 industries during 2018. These contractors collectively reported more than 77,000 recordable cases. What’s next? Hiring Clients are already turning their attention to issues such as subcontractor management and cyber security threats. ChallengesIn addition to the risks from outsourcing, there are also several challenges. Hiring Clients tell us they lack the internal resources to manage an extended workforce. Staff must become experts in managing contractors, which is different than employees. Human Resource departments, for example, often manage training for internal employees, but contractor training can fall to HSEQ teams to manage. Tracking which contractor employees have completed the appropriate training assigned to them can be a time-consuming process. Teams can struggle tracking standardized, adequate and appropriate contractor training across multiple sites and job functions. As the use of contractor companies continues to increase, so can the uncertainty of the quality of trainings, written programs and the resources required to evaluate their effectiveness. Many Hiring Clients are moving their trainings online in an effort to address these issues. Video training ensures the same required information is relayed to all staff and contractor employees by a single presenter. They use online quizzes to then show how well individuals understand and retain the training. Why you Should Implement a Contractor Management ProgramThere is change on the horizon. With the landscape for capital-intensive industries evolving, a heavy reliance on contractors will become the new normal. And managing these contractors with a strong and effective contractor management program is critical to support worker safety and reduce liability for Hiring Clients. It will be critically important that Hiring Clients continually measure their contractors’ safety policies and performances to ensure they are compliant with relevant safety standards and industry regulations. How ISN Helps Hiring Clients Mitigate Outsourcing Risks Established in 2001, ISN is the global leader in contractor and supplier information management. Our online contractor management software, ISNetworld, helps companies manage risk and qualify contractors to ensure they meet Hiring Client standards and regulatory requirements. Client NetworksWe partner with our Hiring Clients to drive key initiatives and solutions to mitigate risks associated with outsourcing. Each year, ISN hosts more than 7,200 meetings with clients to provide hands-on training, best practices and networking opportunities. ISN Roundtables, User Group Meetings and Help Desks provide an opportunity for Hiring Clients and contractors to network and discuss the latest industry news and topics. Contractor ComplianceIn coordination with our Hiring Clients, ISN helps identify contractors that need to be included in each prequalification process. Then, our team supports the compliance process by communicating directly with contractors to sign them up and submit required documentation to ISNetworld. Custom ImplementationsISNetworld’s tools help organizations identify and evaluate the right contractors for each job. And since all tools are included in each Hiring Client’s subscription costs, we can customize every implementation to support their specific challenges and priorities for one annual price. The Site Tracker tool, for example, has helped Hiring Clients track site- or project-specific HSEQ performance data. The utilities, power generation and public sector industries alone have reported more than 780 million contractor hours in ISNetworld for more than 350 job sites since 2012. “Site Tracker helps us quickly identify trends within various sectors of our contracted operations,” said the health and safety director for Bristol-Myers Squibb. “It offers an opportunity to identify areas of concern and focus the necessary resources on a plan to improve performance, reduce incident potential and realign the safety culture.” Benchmark your Company’s Outsourcing EffortsISN’s latest publication, The Orange Book, uses data-driven analytics and industry leader insights to illustrate best practices around how companies are managing the risks introduced with outsourcing work. Request a copy of The Orange Book to get access to more ISN data and benchmark your organization’s outsourcing statistics against other Hiring Clients. Let us HelpIf you’re a current ISN Hiring Client, speak with your ISN team about how your organization’s contractor management program and contractor performance align with your industry peers. If you’re a Hiring Client and interested to learn how a partnership with ISN could support your contractor management efforts at your organization, request a demo of our ISNetworld platform. If you’re a contractor and need help with your ISNetworld account, contact our Customer Service representatives for support 24 hours a day during the business week.
ISN is pleased to announce the opening of its 11th global office in Montréal, Canada, on July 2, 2019. The new bilingual office will serve the expanding customer base across Québec and help meet the rising demand for the organization’s contractor management expertise across the region. “Opening the Montréal office marks a key milestone for our growth in Canada,” said Brian Callahan, President and Chief Operating Officer of ISN. “We look forward to strengthening our relationships with our Québec customers and expanding the use of ISNetworld to new companies.” ISN’s global presence includes Hiring Clients in more than 80 countries and staff who speak more than 35 languages. The company’s growing Hiring Client and contractor base in Québec, plus its extensive dedicated French resources made the expansion a natural fit. Local customers benefit from an exclusive French customer service team and a translated ISNetworld contractor management platform. They also have access to regional events and meetings, including user trainings and roundtable meetings to network and share contractor management best practices. “We are excited about our continued growth in Québec and look forward to providing local support to our customers,” said ISN Director of Eastern Canada, Kim Ritchie. “With Montréal having the fastest growing economy in Canada, we are confident ISN will help Québec organizations identify and track qualified contractors for their needs.” ISN opened its first Canadian office in Calgary, Alberta, in January 2007, and a second office in Toronto, Ontario, in January 2015. Canadian customers working across the oil and gas, utilities, manufacturing, food and beverage, transportation and public sector industries have partnered with ISN, including more than 40 Hiring Clients with 85 sites across Québec. For additional information on ISN’s presence in Québec please contact ISNQuebec@isn.com or visit https://www.isnetworld.com/about-isn/global-operations. The ISN French customer service team can be reached at (844) 773-3551 or ServiceClient@isn.com.
What is ISO 45001?The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) released the new health and safety management system standard, ISO 45001, in March 2018. This is the world’s first international standard dealing with health and safety. Created by occupational health and safety experts, the standard follows a generic management system approach similar to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015. The new global standard has an increased emphasis on management commitment, worker involvement and risk control, which is applicable to all organizational industry types and sizes. ISO standards are developed by experts and committees to ensure it captures all necessary aspects and that it is fit for purpose. During the five years of developing ISO 45001, ISN participated as part of the Technical Advisory Group and even hosted the ISO Technical Committee at ISN’s HQ office in Dallas. Further information on the requirements of the ISO 45001 standard and any actions organizations need to address to adhere to this standard can be found on the ISO website. The Purpose of the StandardOrganizations are responsible for the occupational health and safety (OH&S) of all workers, including part-time and contracting personnel. Visitors who may be affected by a company’s scope of work should also be considered in an organization’s health and safety plan. The ISO 45001 standard includes being responsible for workers’ physical and mental health and promoting best practices throughout the organization. The purpose of an OH&S management system that meets the requirements of ISO 45001 is for organizations to provide safe and healthy workplaces and prevent work-related injury and ill health while continuing to improve health and safety practices. Organizations can minimize or eliminate risks associated with hazards by taking effective preventative and protective measures and implementing ISO 45001 recommendations. Each element of the ISO 45001 standard is a reference to the Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) cycle, which those in the health and safety field will most likely be familiar with from other ISO standards. The purpose of implementing this cycle to the standard as a whole and to each element is: Plan: determine and assess OH&S risks and opportunities and establish objectives and processes necessary to deliver results in accordance with the organization’s OH&S policy Do: implement the processes as planned Check: monitor and measure activities and processes with regard to the OH&S policy and objectives and report the results Act: take actions to continually improve OH&S performance to achieve the intended outcomes Timeline of ISO 45001 Implementation in AustraliaAustralia is one of the first countries to introduce the ISO 45001 OH&S management system country-wide. Like all new standards, ISO has ensured a generous grace period for organizations that are currently accredited in Australia to A/NZS4801 to migrate to the new ISO 45001 standard by October 2021. The ISO organization is promoting a positive collaboration culture amongst the standards until October 2021 to ensure organizations can promote a safe and positive culture through their management systems. ISN has proactively created a timeline that offers a grace period to allow ISN Hiring Clients complete understanding of the new management systems and how it amends written program requirements within ISNetworld. During this time period, ISN has hosted Roundtables with Hiring Clients in Australia and the U.S. to ensure Hiring Clients understand the standard, the effects on their contractors and the next stages. Similarities Between A/NZS4801 and ISO 45001While developing the ISO 45001 standard, the experts and technical committee took into consideration the elements of the A/NZS 4801 standard and the ability for organizations to comply with the new standards. There are a number of similarities between the standards, such as their overall intent to prevent injuries, illnesses and fatalities within the workplace. Other similarities exist, such as the PDCA cycle, policy requirements; identification of legal and other requirements, improvement objectives, awareness requirements, competency requirements, resources needed to support the system and requirements for monitoring, measuring and analyzing OH&S performance and improvement. New ISN ISO 45001Protocols Current ISN A/NZS 4801Management System Protocols OH&S Policy Occupational Health & Safety Policy Risks and Opportunities Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment OH&S Objectives Key Performance Indicators Leadership & Commitment Leadership & Commitment Competence Training & Competency Awareness and Communication OHS Meetings Document Control Document Control Emergency Preparedness & Response Emergency Preparedness & Response Incidents & Noncomformities Incident Investigation& Reporting Audits Inspections & Audits Management Review Review of Mnaagement System Consultation andParticipation Partly covered in OHS Meetings andleadership & commitment Performance Evaluation Partly covered in Key PerformanceIndicators Differences Between A/NZS4801 and ISO 45001Although the ISO 45001 framework is based upon similar ISO standards, the structure differs from A/NZS4801. The new structure allows organizations to be more proactive in preventing accidents and injuries and evaluating hazard risks, while A/NZS4801 focuses mainly on hazard control. ISO 45001 also evaluates workers’ involvement and responsibility to allow for broader employee participation within organizations. This looks at employees receiving relevant training and education in order to complete their tasks safely and to help create a successful safety program. Some other key differences between A/NZS 4801 and ISO 45001 include: Management Representative (Clause 5.1) has changed from appointing a management representative and replaced by 13 responsibilities that need to be allocated to Senior Management Health & Safety Policy (Clause 5.2) has additional requirements to be included in the policy. Risks have been extended to go beyond hazards (Clause 6.1) Psychosocial hazards (Clause 6.1.2.1) have been added to the standard Documented information (Clause 7.5) changed to allow organizations to determine what documented information will be retained to demonstrate compliance (unless there is a legal requirement to retain certain documentation) Procurement (Clause 8.1.4) requirements added as part of the overall standard Evaluation of compliance (Clause 9.1.2) requires organizations to evaluate their compliance with legal and other requirements and retain documented information of the evaluation results. Get Support Complying with ISO 45001If you are a Hiring Client interested to learn how the new ISO 45001 standard will impact you and your contractors’ use of ISNetworld, contact your ISN representative for more information. Are you a Hiring Client and interested to learn how ISN could help you manage your contractors and adhere to ISO 45001 standards? Request a demo of our contractor management system, ISNetworld. If you are a contractor and need support submitting the new standards within ISNetworld, contact our customer support team for additional resources.
Since 2001, ISN has sought to streamline record management and provided Operator Qualification (OQ) services for the midstream industry. The company grew as a result of the US Department of Transportation (DOT) publishing the Operator Qualification rule (CFR 49 sub part 192 and 195) in August 1999. The OQ rule mandated all operators of interstate pipeline facilities are responsible for measuring the knowledge of all employees that perform maintenance-related tasks on and/or around active pipeline installations. Since then, ISNetworld has served as the industry leader in tracking and managing OQ records for pipeline operators. ISNetworld is a platform for Hiring Clients to build and customize OQ covered task lists and manage OQ regulatory requirements for contractors and employees with verified, third-party data. As of 2019, there are more than 48 Million OQ reports in ISNetworld and 83+ Operators effectively using ISNetworld to maintain OQ compliance. A History of the OQ Rule Training Requirements In reaction to the OQ rule, a volunteer group of approximately 40 liquid pipeline operators, representing 80% of all regulated pipeline system in the U.S., convened in September 1999 to establish the Consortium on Operator Qualifications (COOQs) group. The non-prescriptive nature of the law made it necessary for the industry to establish standardized and practical guidelines to help meet stringent regulatory expectations. In December 2000, COOQs partnered with the American Petroleum Institute (API) to develop an accredited, consistent and standardized evaluation process. These standards were shared in the API GD 1161 publication. The consortium then partnered with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), which developed curriculum to support a training and education program for the industry. Over the years, several other training providers have developed their own versions of curriculum, training delivery methods and performance evaluation processes. Challenges with the New OQ Compliance RegulationsWith the new rule came the responsibility to manage qualifications and performance evaluation records for thousands of workers in the midstream industry. To add to the complexity, the records and data needed to be: Collected from multiple training providers and performance evaluators Current and regularly updated Stored in a centralized database accessible to thousands of end users Secure since they involve sensitive personal information, such as social security numbers Retained indefinitely for regulatory audit purposes Standardization and Non-prescriptive RegulationThe OQ rule, however, did not provide for clear and prescriptive regulatory requirements. The pipeline industry later approached the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to sponsor the development of a national consensus standard on pipeline operator qualification. Four years after the date of the original DOT rulemaking, ASME published the B31Q national standard. This standard established the requirements for developing and implementing an effective Pipeline Personnel Qualification Program using the accepted industry practices. As a result, the industry was faced with massive training and re-training requirements. Fortunately, there are a variety of training providers today, and each pipeline operator can decide which providers’ solution can be approved for their specific purpose and task list. ISNetworld: A Flexible OQ Tool for Hiring Clients and ContractorsIn December 2000, ISN reached an agreement to be the electronic distributor with NCCER as ISN’s first data provider of Operator Qualifications. ISNetworld, working with the pipeline industry, developed an innovative OQ management tool. Today, it is the leading tool of its kind in the midstream industry. The tool helps automatically match individual qualification records with requirements through a task list to identify specific tasks an individual is qualified to perform. ISNetworld’s OQ tool connects third-party training systems’ contractor employee records to existing required documentation for Hiring Clients. This allows contractors to select the best fit for their employees’ needs and Hiring Client requirements for their OQ training. Currently, 69+ million qualification records are under ISN’s management, which are updated regularly via an automatic direct feed with multiple training providers’ databases. ISN has an active data sharing agreement with 12 OQ training organizations/data providers to feed data into the ISNetworld database. This provides a configurable solution for Hiring Clients to customize their task lists and OQ requirements regularly. In addition to the 12 OQ data providers, ISNetworld has established data feeds with 14 Drug & Alcohol data providers, many of which audit for DOT compliance. Pipeline Operators benefit from having one centralized location to check OQ and DOT Drug & Alcohol Compliance. A benefit to operators using ISN’s platform for OQ management is a streamlined process for maintaining regulatory compliance with the expansive data providers options for both the client and their contractors in becoming qualified. ISNetworld’s OQ management tool contains these additional features: An automated OQ report, updated dynamically with latest information Automated reminders of qualification renewal dates and/or changes in compliance Ability to scan for compliance through an ID card, mobile app or hand-held device Managing OQ Compliance with ISNetworld FeaturesISNetworld’s robust OQ reporting capabilities allow operators and contractors to easily identify individuals qualified to perform covered tasks for an operator. Reporting can be done at the employee level or project level, allowing flexibility for the end user. Gap reporting identifies unqualified or expired individuals and which qualification components are lacking. ISNetworld’s badge scanning and mobile compatibility allows operators to monitor real-time compliance for employees on site or prior to arriving. Operators can configure scanning requirements that can include OQ task qualification, DOT drug & alcohol status, site orientation status, company-level compliance and others. Get Support for OQ RequirementsGovernment regulations often are instituted to protect individuals, organizations and/or institutions from undesired and harmful outcomes. As incidents related to pipelines persist, so do industry initiatives and increased regulation for operators with pipeline assets. ISN offers tools to meet these regulatory reporting and recordkeeping requirements while allowing each operator to configure their task list to meet company specific policies and projects. As the regulatory and industry best practice landscapes continue to change, ISNetworld allows for easy communication and dissemination of changing requirements to companies and employees impacted by these updates. By communicating, monitoring and enforcing your OQ plan through ISNetworld, our goal is to help monitor compliance, ultimately creating a safer work environment for all pipeline workers by supporting a reduction in overall incidents. If you are a Hiring Client and want to learn more about managing your OQ through ISNetworld, contact your ISN representative for more information. Are you a Hiring Client and interested to learn how ISN could help you manage your contractors and operator qualifications? Request a demo of our contractor management system, ISNetworld. If you are a contractor managing OQ requirements through ISNetworld and need help, contact our customer support team for more information.
