[Darranvps]

Just decided to go for ISO 9001, and will begin on Monday next week.
Does anyone else have this accreditation and do you think it is a benefit to your business.

[trevor perry]

we used to have it but to be honest found it of no use, they also charge quite a bit for there audits

[Darranvps]

Hows window cleaning etc in Lancashire?

I used to have a Pub in Great Harwood a long time ago

[Steve_c]

Darren your audit bills will be massive. Be prepared for a lot of paper work way beyond imagination. If you pull this  off bloody well done.

[Darranvps]

Hi Steve

Many moons ago I had the older version BS5750 - probably about 1992 and I think. I was the first window cleaner to get it - certainly in the Yorkshire area anyway.

I will let my wife take care of this as she enjoys paperwork for some strange reason

[richywilts]

im thinkin of goin for it after todays course

[Steve_c]

I was involved in the old B.S.I. back in the eighties. Once we achieved the accreditation our work load increased dramatically. (This Was when i was a Printer )

[R W C™]

Rhino, while were on the subject of courses, where did you do you ipaf, does having this bring in more work, and the same question regarding chas

[richywilts]

chris the thing with iso 9001 is it may not bring work directly too you coz u have it but say yourquoting against maybe 3 or 4 who havent ur going to look a lot better because u have quality systems in place to ensure work is delivered to high standard doesnt mean you would do the best job but when someones making a decision and you and someone else have gone in at same best price for example who do u think would get the work

[JSMC]

how do you dispose of your used resin? do you dispose of it in a safe manner and have waste transfer paperwork for this? if you dont have it this will be classes as a non conformance most likely.

thois could be a question during an audit. I ama qualified iso internal auditor and done load sof it in my last company.

Do you have trainign records?
TDS readings daily recorded?
H&S policy

best you write up a quality manual plus integrated managemtn system and devis ean audit program. Oh yeah you cannot udit yourself as that is not allowed. you either send someone on an iso internal auditing course to be able to do this or you hire someone in to go over your systems and procedures.

for everything you do within your organisation you must have a SOP standard operating procedure. you must have a pricdeure for things such as filling your tank and how it is done, ho you test water, how you clenaa window, what sytems you have in place for non conformances etc etc etc etc

 i could go on all day mate.

[JSMC]

also if you gain your ISO and some of your clients are iso approved they can audit your comapny as n when required according to their audit program. ISO firms have alist of approved contractors etc.

you are gonna have paperwork beyond yer wildest dreams and a quality system is a lving breathing working document. Dont thin because you ge tthe badge the paperwork goes in a folde rn filed. It is constantly worked on at all times.

Also never try to be to fancy and make yourself sound bette rthan you are as all you do is create things for you to be tripped up on in an audit. jus say what you do and keep it at that.

best thing to do is just get  asimple qualit system that is not ISO approved and work form that.

[Darranvps]

Rhino, while were on the subject of courses, where did you do you ipaf, does having this bring in more work, and the same question regarding chas

Hi Mate
I did the IPAF course at Smart Platforms - mainly because they use new equipment just for training - unlike other companys who use equipment that goes out on hire and can be in a filthy state.

We have CHAS and SAFE CONTRACTOR plus numerous other similar ones.
I wouldn't say it get's me any more work, however it does give me a better chance than those who don't have them.

Regards

[trevor perry]

Hows window cleaning etc in Lancashire?

I used to have a Pub in Great Harwood a long time ago

things are ok here, window cleaning is only a small part of my business now as i do lots of other cleaning services also, we used to do the main washdown every year at the OXO factory in great harwood but that has shut down now but i always liked great harwood some good pubs there.