Latest Posts
Management Review topics
Sept. 15, 2023
Management review is an essential process in maintaining ISO 9001 certification. What topics need to be covered?
Assessing suppliers for your quality management system
Aug. 15, 2023
Suppliers have a big effect on your own quality performance so it is important to have controls in place, and a process to assess supplier performance.
Why it's important to document Action Plans
July 25, 2023
Regular meetings are a powerful tool for workplace communication and consultation in managing safety and quality, but to avoid the talkfest trap, you must log the actions arising from the meeting and hold people accountable.
Industry 4.0: What it means for SMEs
Jan. 17, 2023
What is Industry 4.0, some examples, and how it works for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
What makes a great product quality plan?
June 13, 2022
A PQP is a blueprint for how you will maintain quality from beginning to end as products are developed, tested, manufactured, and shipped to your customers.
Why the control of your Legal & Regulatory obligations as a manufacturer is so important.
March 14, 2022
Failure to address your legal and regulatory issues could lead to a range of consequences. This article talks about what you can do to reduce the risks of non-compliance.
Writing an effective quality plan for manufacturing
March 7, 2022
In this article, Ian takes you briefly through some of the key aspects of quality planning to ensure you get the best results.
Using QR codes in your manufacturing facility
Feb. 7, 2022
Everyone is familiar with QR codes after Covid19 checkins, and they can be incredibly useful in many manufacturing and operational processes across a wide variety of industries.
Finding Time for Quality
Jan. 27, 2022
Many businesses fail to implement a quality system because they feel they simply don't have the time to do so. The irony is that an efficient and effective quality system can free up time.
How to control quality issues
Dec. 10, 2021
How to get back on track when things go wrong - step by step process to follow for effective corrective action in response to quality issues in your organisation.
Best Practices for Remote Internal Auditing with Toolbox
Dec. 1, 2021
Use remote internal audits to test the health of your compliance management system and get valuable information that helps you to optimise your business processes.
A Quality System Must Also Cover Safety Obligations
May 3, 2019
Fulfilling safety responsibilities is part of your quality management system - as legal and regulatory requirements.
Roles and Responsibilities of Top Management in the QMS
May 18, 2018
ISO 9001 specifies responsibilities for top management in the quality management system.
Emergency Response Plans
Sept. 1, 2017
Emergency Response Plans are a requirement for all Australian businesses. It's more than just an evacuation plan. So what's in one?
Tip for business growth? - Systems!
Aug. 17, 2017
Business Victoria says that Systems are a key step for business growth
How to audit a Workplace Health and Safety System
Feb. 8, 2016
What are the kinds of evidence to look for? What's expected to be in place? Guidance for beginner auditors.
Documented Information for ISO9001:2015
Nov. 5, 2015
In the 2015 release of the ISO 9001 Quality Management Standard, references to 'documents' and 'records' have now been replaced by "documented information". Requirements have also changed.
Keeping Track of Credentials
Oct. 7, 2015
Under the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards, it's recognised that safety and quality of care will be at risk if the workforce does not have the appropriate level of skill or experience. You must closely track credentials.
Safety Management System - Auditing Guide
Sept. 28, 2015
This plain english guide to the auditing criteria for the "FSC Safety Scheme for Government Construction Projects" is a useful resource for other safety systems too.
Environmental Impacts - Process Flow Diagram
July 14, 2015
Used to analyse Environmental Aspects and impacts, and to look at how different activities influence those impacts. This will help set the direction for developing measurements and then targets/ objectives for reducing your environmental impacts.
Major vs. Minor Nonconformity
May 6, 2015
Many businesses choose to handle minor and major nonconformities differently to help direct resources appropriately. But many small issues add up to a major problem, so they can't be ignored.
Managing Assets - What to include?
May 4, 2015
In order to maintain the quality of your product or service, you need to look after the equipment that helps you provide it!
Legal and Regulatory Requirements
March 2, 2015
The quality management standard states that you have to ensure your product or service meets both customer and legal requirements. To keep all the 'red tape' under control, you'll need a system.
Legislation regarding Hearing Tests
Jan. 6, 2015
Businesses have a duty of care to their workers and are required to manage risks to health and safety, including 'Managing Risk of Hearing Loss from Noise' contained in the 'Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011'
New Year's Resolutions and a Lean QMS
Jan. 5, 2015
While the popular press is awash with various weight loss strategies for achieving a common personal New Year's resolution, you might like to try the business version - reducing waste (rather than 'waist') to become more "Lean".
Construction Prequalification - PQC
Nov. 25, 2014
Australia has state-based as well as national prequalification schemes for government construction work tenders. Pre-qualification schemes are also used in the UK for government procurement.
Time to Review your Policies?
Nov. 13, 2014
Which documents should be reviewed regularly? Are there any that don't need it? How can you manage periodic reviews for important documents with QSToolbox?
Inspection and Test Plans
Nov. 4, 2014
Inspection and Test Plans set out critical control points or 'hold points' where you will conduct an inspection or check in order to verify that things are progressing as they should be. For ISO 9001, it's part of Monitoring and Measurement.
Management Representative for ISO 9001 - Responsibilities
Sept. 24, 2014
Taking on the role of Management Rep? What's required? What is expected? Here's a list of responsibilities that you might see in the description for the role of Quality System "Management Representative"
Workplace Health and Safety Inspections in QSToolbox
Sept. 10, 2014
Manage your workplace inspections, insurance renewals, etc using QSToolbox.
Avoiding written procedures.
March 5, 2014
If a picture tells a thousand words, can you use one instead of words for procedures and work instructions? What about videos? Have a look at how to include this kind of "non-written" documentation in QSToolbox in a way that's best for mobile users
Revision Number, Revision Date or Both?
May 3, 2013
Using revision dates and revision numbers are both common document control methods for identifying the current version of the document. Some companies use both dates and numbers. What is actually required?
Managing Calibration with QSToolbox
Nov. 2, 2012
Have a look at a worked example of managing calibration of measuring and test equipment using QSToolbox - a recent addition to our support resources.
Do you sign your calibration certificates?
Sept. 14, 2012
Ian shares a recent experience of explaining calibration management to a client, and why you need to review the calibration report.
Stress free internal audits?
Aug. 14, 2012
Tips and tricks for stress free internal quality system audits
Free Safety Assessment Tool from WHSQ
Aug. 14, 2012
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has an online safety benchmarking tool.
Kick start your ISO 9001 quality system
Aug. 14, 2012
ISO 9001 has a real impact on the on-going development and success of your organisation when all employees participate in the quality system. Here's some ideas on where to get started.
Follow the Customer Order to Quality
Aug. 14, 2012
When implementing a new ISO9001 Quality Management System, it is sometimes difficult to know where to begin. A common question is 'which procedures do I need to document?". Here's a path to follow.
Why use a web-based quality system?
Aug. 13, 2012
Ian observes that small / medium companies across Australia struggle to maintain paper-based quality systems. With key tasks neglected, there's no value for the business and certification is lost or abandoned.