Hello,To be clear and accurate about the sad case of Doulos ant many others soon scrapped vessels, I will try to write a little abstract about ISO standards and maritime world.I have done a trap to an Australian writer to show that this guy was writing without verifying his sources. I have talked about many ISO norms, the most known by many member is ISO 9001 (most of the best plots at Alang are compliant with this norm). It's only a good organization-management rules, adapted during the years. The other one well known is environmental and is ISO 14001, also implemented by the best plot at Alang.
But these norms are not fully adapted to shipping recycling and a new norm was established recently: ISO 30000. Here is her finality of the ISO 30003/2009, the last one established.
quote:
An ISO standard for bodies providing audit and certification of ship recycling management systems, will increase the safety of workers and environmental protection by facilitating independent recognition of good practice.ISO 30003:2009, Ships and marine technology – Ship recycling management systems – Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of ship recycling management, aims to instill confidence that the certification process has been carried out in a competent, consistent and reliable manner. The document will facilitate the recognition of accredited certification bodies and the acceptance of their certifications on an international basis.
Capt. Charles Piersall, Chair of ISO technical committee that developed the standard, ISO/TC 8, Ships and marine technology, comments: “ISO 30000, which gives the specifications for ship recycling management systems is being implemented using independent third party certification *. Organizations carrying out ship recycling see certification as valuable for them, their customers and other stakeholders.
“The concern of potential environmental and human worker health and safety impact necessitates this independent certification because it provides confidence to the facility and its workers, environmentalists, the ship owner, governments, regulatory bodies and the general public that a ship recycling management system conforms to internationally harmonized requirements, is capable of consistently achieving its stated policy and objectives and is effectively implemented.
“ISO 30003 responds to the need for disseminating best practice criteria for certification bodies auditing and certifying ship recyclers.”
The document is targeted at third party audit and certification bodies, but can be of value to others involved in the assessment of management systems for the recycling of ships of all types and sizes, in both international and domestic trade.
The standard:
* Provides harmonized guidance for the accreditation of certification bodies applying for ISO 30000 certification / registration
* Defines specifications for the audit and certification of a ship recycling management system complying with safety and environmental requirements
* Offers customers the necessary information and confidence about the way certification of their waste and other material handling or service companies has been granted.
ISO 30003:2009 will be useful for the shipping and ship recycling industries, shipyards, ship owners, maritime research institutes, universities for maritime technology, government ministries of shipping, navy, environment and labour, port authorities, classification societies and inspection agencies.
ISO 30003:2009 is part of a series of standards (ISO 30000) on ship recycling management, which promotes the safety of workers and preservation of the environment, as well as the recovery and reuse of steel and other materials and equipment.
Currently, work is underway on the remaining standards of the series:
* Best practice for ship recycling facilities
* Guidelines for selection of ship recyclers
* Guidelines for implementing ISO 30000
* Information control for hazardous materials in shipbuilding and ship operations
* Guidelines on surveying ships for hazardous material and amount to be reported
* Methods to remove asbestos in ships
* Yachts recycling.
ISO 30003:2009, Ships and marine technology – Ship recycling management systems – Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of ship recycling management is available from ISO national member institutes (see the complete list with contact details). It may also be obtained directly from the ISO Central Secretariat, price 142 Swiss francs, through the ISO Store or by contacting the Marketing, Communication & Information department (see right-hand column).
* The standard can also be implemented for the internal and external benefits it brings without seeking third-party certification, which is not a requirement of ISO 30000, nor of any other ISO management system standard.
The case of ISO 30003/2009 is a all-in-one package of ISO3000 + OHSAS18001. The last one is a standard for working conditions:
quote:
* Overview
* Benefits
* Benefits
* Training
* Training
* Steps to certification
* Steps to certificationMany organizations are implementing an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) as part of their risk management strategy to address changing legislation and protect their workforce.
An OHSMS promotes a safe and healthy working environment by providing a framework that allows your organization to consistently identify and control its health and safety risks, reduce the potential for accidents, aid legislative compliance and improve overall performance.
OHSAS 18001 is the internationally recognized assessment specification for Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems. It was developed by a selection of leading trade bodies, international standards and certification bodies to address a gap where no third party certifiable international standard exists.
OHSAS 18001 has been designed to be compatible with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 to help your organization meet their health and safety obligations in an efficient manner.
The following key areas are addressed by OHSAS 18001:
* Planning for hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control
* OHSAS management programme
* Structure and responsibility
* Training, awareness and competence
* Consultation and communication
* Operational control
* Emergency preparedness and response
* Performance measuring, monitoring and improvement
OHSAS 18001 can be adopted by any organization wishing to implement a formal procedure to reduce the risks associated with health and safety in the working environment for employees, customers and the general public.
Now for Alang as it is today: the largest plots are compliant to ISO 9001/2008, ISO 14001 standards, many also with OHSAS 18001. Only one plot Leela #2 is also ISO 30000 compliant, certification approved by BV.
As far as I'm informed, this plot will be followed by at least 10-15 others that are already in a good ISO standard practices (at least 9001 and 14001). They are into the pipeline, the most difficult par is OHSAS 18001 due to the lack of heavy heath equipment at Alang.
I hope to have been clear, accurate and complete. I will post a list of plots with ISO certification at the end of march, after checking their status. It's not out of topic, it's very important to know where vessel went to be dismantled and recycled.
Of course, the smallest plots have no ISO standard compliance and are the most dangerous at their scale. But at least one plot has not released an ISO classification for financial reasons (it's very expensive) and is working respectfully for both practices, workers and environment.
ISO certifications are periodically checked by independent inspectors.
Edited for typo and add
[ 03-02-2010: Message edited by: LenKinap ]