IMK Automotive Achieves ISO 45001 Certification

The Benefits of ISO 45001 Certification

Achieving ISO 45001 certification offers numerous benefits for IMK Automotive, both internally and externally:

1. Enhanced Employee Safety and Wellbeing: The core objective of ISO 45001 is to create a safe and healthy workplace, reducing the risk of injury and illness. This aligns perfectly with our "People 1st Strategy," ensuring our team members feel secure and valued.
2. Regulatory Compliance: ISO 45001 helps us stay ahead of compliance requirements, minimising the risk of legal issues and ensuring that we meet all relevant health and safety regulations.
3. Improved Risk Management: The certification emphasises a proactive approach to identifying and controlling risks, leading to fewer incidents and a more resilient workplace.
4. Increased Employee Engagement: By involving employees in the development and implementation of our OH&S management system, we foster a culture of safety and encourage active participation, which boosts morale and productivity.
5. Enhanced Reputation and Competitive Advantage: ISO 45001 is a globally recognised standard. Achieving this certification demonstrates our commitment to high safety standards, enhancing our reputation with clients, partners, and stakeholders.
6. Cost Reduction: By reducing workplace incidents, we minimise associated costs, such as medical expenses, compensation, and lost productivity. Overtime, this leads to significant savings and a more efficient operation.

The Path to ISO 45001 Certification: Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success

Obtaining ISO 45001 certification is no small feat; it requires a dedicated effort, comprehensive planning, and a big commitment to safety. Here are the key steps and challenges IMK Automotive navigated to achieve this certification:

1. Gap Analysis: Our journey began with a thorough gap analysis to evaluate our existing OH&S management system against the ISO 45001 requirements. This step identified areas that needed improvement and set the foundation for our certification process.
2. Leadership Commitment: A crucial aspect of ISO 45001 is the involvement of top management. Our leadership team played an active role in developing and promoting a safety-first culture, ensuring that the importance of OH&S was understood and prioritised across all levels of the organisation.
3. Employee Participation and Consultation: ISO 45001 emphasises worker participation. We engaged our employees through consultations, safety committees, and training programme to ensure their insights and concerns were incorporated into our OH&S management system.
4. Risk Assessment and Hazard Identification: We conducted comprehensive risk assessments to identify potential hazards across all our operations. This proactive approach allowed us to implement effective control measures and reduce risks to an acceptable level.
5. Documentation and Procedures: Developing and documenting the necessary procedures, policies, and processes was a critical step. This documentation ensures consistency and provides clear guidance for our workforce on how to maintain a safe working environment.
6. Implementation and Training: With procedures in place, we trained our employees to ensure they understood their roles and responsibilities within the new OH&S management system. Training covered hazard identification, emergency preparedness, incident reporting, and more.
7. Internal Audits and Management Review: Before the final certification audit, we conducted internal audits to verify compliance and assess the effectiveness of our OH&S management system. Management reviews provided an opportunity to evaluate performance and make necessary adjustments.
8. External Audit and Certification: The final step was an external audit conducted by an accredited certification body. This rigorous assessment confirmed that our OH&S management system met the ISO 45001 requirements, leading to our successful certification.

Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Achieving ISO 45001 certification is not the end of the journey—it’s just the beginning. At IMK Automotive, we are committed to continuous improvement in our occupational health and safety practices. We will regularly monitor, measure, and review our performance, striving for excellence and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all.

ISO 45001 certification is a testament to IMK Automotive’s commitment to protecting our most valuable asset - our people. This achievement strengthens our reputation as a responsible employer and industry leader, setting a new standard for safety in the automotive manufacturing sector. As we move forward, we will continue to prioritise the wellbeing of our workforce, ensuring that safety remains at the heart of everything we do.