C E White R Lovering J R Davis J N Smith N Robertson G McNab A Falconer A Solway R Brownlie G R Cosbie A Whyte A Hamilton B Holmes K Lloyd R McLean B Braes G Lyall M MacIntosh R Edward J Berry W McCafferty J Farquharson L Wang J Davidson V Stewart R Walker V Jigajinni P Conway G Paxton R Wilson A Wood N Doherty G T Miller J Hepburn G Dick L McKinlay

K Wilson I Murray J McCraith M Bancroft I Smith B Pill L Young M Johnstone D Sinclair R Staines

1.0 CHAIRMAN Richard Lovering

The Chair was taken by R Lovering as the Chairman had previously extended his apologies. Welcome was extended to all, particularly new Members and the Guests. It was mentioned that the meetings are open to all but for security reasons means of identification are required. The tragic events in America were recollected and the meeting paused for a moment�s silence and reflection. The format was outlined and the importance of signing the Sederunt stressed. Parking is readily available but members asked to stay clear of the highlighted bays at the front, as they have been leased to the Police. Members were encouraged to make the most of the meeting and mingle during tea at the conclusion.

2.0 MINUTES

The 126^th Minute � June 2001 � was tabled. The Minute was proposed by R McLean and seconded by J Hepburn as a true and accurate record. Thanks were extended to Napier University for their help with mailing and the funding of full Mailshot � although there was a comprehensive tome of courses available the Branch Programme reached every member of the branch list. Over fifty members now receive the minutes by e-mail.

3.0 MATTERS ARISING

4.0 CORRESPONDENCE

Copies of all the above-mentioned correspondence were made available for the Members present. Further information is available upon request from the Secretary.

5.0 BRANCH EDUCATION OFFICER L Young

Mention was made of the number of portfolios being submitted for up-grading purposes and the additional work this entails. It was stated that the route for up grading from Associate will soon stop and an article has been published in this months TSHP. All those wishing to use this route must register with HQ by end December 2001 and submit completed portfolio by end December 2002.

6.0 SPECIALIST GROUPS

8.0 GUEST SPEAKER

The speaker was introduced to the group by Roddy McLean as George Paschke of Wren and Bell Associates, - Structural Civil and Environmental Consultants and was invited to address the members on the subject of The Integration of safety, Quality and Environmental Systems.

What is OHSAS 18001?

It is the Occupational Health &Safety Assessment series specification on Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems. This is aimed at enabling organisations to control their OH&S risks and hence improve their performance.

The elements of a successful OH&S management system being = OH&S Policy � leading to adequate Planning � then Implementation and operation � Checking and corrective actions � Management Review. All of which are aimed at continual improvement.

This is the International Standard for Quality Management systems and replaces BS EN ISO9001, 9002, 9003. All Companies accredited to the 1994 issue, will be required to comply with the 2000 issue by 2003.

It is aimed at encouraging organisations to analyze customer�s requirements, define the processes that contribute to achievement of a product which is acceptable to the customer and keep these processes under review.

The elements of the Quality approach being = Management responsibility � Resource management � Product realization � Measurement, analysis and improvement = all of which take account of the customers requirements and aim at providing customer satisfaction and in this way achieve continual improvement.

What is ISO 14001?

This is the International standard for Environmental Management systems, aimed at enabling organisations to formulate a policy and objectives taking into account legislative requirements and information about significant environmental impacts.

The elements of the Environmental approach being = Commitment and policy � Planning � Implementation and operation � Measurement and evaluation � Review and improvement = all aimed at gaining Continual improvement.

The speaker then indicated that there is obviously a very strong link between each of the mentioned systems � all aimed at Continual Improvement.

He then related the tale of a visitor to a machine shop where the employees were standing ankle deep in oil that questioned how the Company could hold 14001 approval. At this stage it was pointed out to the visitor that they were following the practice of year on year improvement � the previous year they were standing knee deep in oil.

An IMS (Integrated Management System) focuses on more that one issue to which the Company is committed. It moves away from the individual focus of "Quality", "Health & Safety", or "Environment" for particular processes and instead focuses on the processes � resulting in the adoption of a process approach rather than a system approach. There is as yet no International standard.

The speaker then utilised the 9001 model for Quality to show how Health & Safety and Environmental issues can be considered at the same time, as there is so much, which is based on like format.

Due to the range of similar elements contained in each of the ISO14001, ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001, there could be from an integrated system � Less duplication, Less resource requirement (time human, financial) � Less audits conducted by third parties � Improved relationships between systems � Fewer risks � Less complication

Utilizing the = Plan � Do � Check � Act = continuum the speaker illustrated each element as follows: -

Identify aspects and impacts, hazards, risks and quality issues
Document legislation and other requirements
Set objectives and measurable targets
Plan actions, track and report improvement

Do

Identify, document and report structure, roles and responsibilities
Identify, record and report on training requirements
Communicate
Create. Implement and control procedures and work instructions

Track performance
Schedule, plan and conduct systems audits
Monitor and measure
Identify and follow up non-conformances

Implement corrective and preventive actions
Management review
Guarantee improvement
Track improvement

The speaker then showed the content of a matrix under the four main elements of � Resources � Communication � Management � Corporate Reporting � Administration.

Under the management heading, sub-headings of Site Management, Environmental Management, Health & Safety Management, Quality Management and Monitoring had several common threads, which the speaker felt demonstrated the need to utilise a common system, which had all of the elements within it.

The notable common threads included = Policy, Legislation, Objectives and targets, Action plans, Non-conformances and External Communications.

The speaker summarized the presentation by showing what he felt was the need for sustainable development based on a pyramid of =

Simple
Document
Training 4 all
Everyone Aware
Adequate Resources
Clear Responsibilities
Management Commitment

A lively question session followed the presentation and the chairman offered a token gift to the speaker as a way of thanking him for the presentation.

9.0 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Members were reminded that the next meeting had been set at:

With the topic being

Mr D Simpson, Head of Fire Safety

Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade

10.0 CLOSURE

The Chairman thanked all for their attendance and contribution and bade them a safe journey homeward; then closed the meting with the invitation to have tea and then mingle.