ISO Certification for Construction Companies

Information to get ISO Certification for Construction Companies

Key Takeaways:

• The terms "ISO Certification" and "ISO Accreditation" are used interchangeably

• Getting ISO certification for construction companies can be a requirement for many projects and contracts

• The costs to get certified are generally $15,000+ (depending on which certifications are required)

• You can get certified for Safety (ISO 45001), Quality (9001) and Environmental (14001)

• Contact us to start your ISO journey!

ISO Certification for Construction Companies

"ISO Certified" is a slang term. Generally, "ISO Certification" means a company has been certified by JASANZ (Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand). You can read about JASANZ here.

The reason we say "ISO Certified" is because ISO (or the International Organisation for Standardisation) publishes the management system standards, in this case:

• AS/NZS ISO 45001 OHS Management Systems

• AS/NZS ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems

• AS/NZS ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems

What Types of Construction Companies Can Get ISO Certified?

Any type of company can get ISO Certified. Some examples of companies that benefit from ISO accreditation include:

• Civil construction,

• Residential building,

• Commercial building,

• Demolition and asbestos removal,

• Trades, including:

  • Electricians,

  • Tilers,

  • Concreters,

  • Carpenters,

  • Roofers, and

  • Many others.

Getting ISO Certification for Construction Companies

In addition to all the essential management system components – which you can read about here, construction companies will generally need to implement the following processes / documents (depending on their scope of works):

• Safe Work Method Statements

• WHS Management Plans

• Site Inductions

• Permit to Work Systems

• High Risk Work Licensing

• General Site Safety Requirements

Other focus areas for construction companies are mobile plant, traffic management and other high risk tasks including working at heights, confined spaces and manual handling. Environmental and quality requirements may also be applicable.

To get started on your ISO certification for construction companies, you can either:

• Option 1: Contact Us for a free consult.

• Option 2: Design and implement the system yourself.

Safety Certification

Safety certification requires the company to demonstrate compliance with AS/NZS ISO45001. This includes ensuring policies and procedures are in place to manage workplace safety. There is also a heavy focus on worker consultation, which may include:

• Safety Meetings

• Safety Inductions

• Safety Alerts

• Memos / Emails

The construction company must also set objectives and track their progress towards meeting these objectives.

Quality and Environmental Certification

To obtain ISO Certification for construction companies (in particular, ISO 9001 Quality and ISO 14001 Environmental), many of the following processes will need to be implemented:

• Environmental aspects and impacts register

• Waste management and energy conservation

• Quality, service provision or production procedures

• Customer feedback / complaints mechanism

Did You Know?

In the mid-20th century, post-WWII reconstruction sparked early concerns about the environmental impact of construction, leading to a push for sustainable practices. The 1972 Stockholm Conference highlighted these issues, paving the way for green building standards like BREEAM and LEED in the 1990s.

Today, the industry champions innovations such as circular construction and net-zero energy buildings, transforming post-war challenges into a global sustainability movement

FAQ

What is HSEQ management?

HSEQ focuses on promoting employee health, ensuring safety, minimizing environmental impact, and maintaining quality standards.

How can construction companies enhance their safety performance?

Providing comprehensive training, conducting regular audits and fostering a safety-first culture.

What strategies can be used to improve environmental performance?

Adopting sustainable practices, implementing waste reduction programs, controlling emissions, and conducting environmental impact assessments.

How can quality be maintained throughout a construction project?

Maintain quality by setting clear standards, conducting regular inspections and ensuring materials meet specified standards.

Article Sources and Further Reading

• Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JASANZ)

• A Comprehensive Guide To Safe Work Method Statements (Spire Safety)

• High Risk Construction Work vs High Risk Work: The Difference (Spire Safety)

Need a hand?

Spire Safety works as ISO certification consultants for Australian businesses, from gap analysis to certification and surveillance audits. Get in touch to talk it through.