This latest operational success complements the company’s existing ISO 9001 quality management and ISO 14001 environmental management systems certifications, and further demonstrates its determination to operate to the very highest international standards.

OHSAS 18001 is based upon the ‘Plan, Do, Check, Act’ structure pioneered by the American quality expert, W Edwards Deming, in the 1950s. This simple but effective structure is used to ensure that the hazards and risks associated with Corps Security’s activities and services are systematically identified, assessed, controlled, monitored and continuously improved.

There are several benefits to certification including a decrease in the number of incidents and accidents, reduced staff absence and lower employee and public liability insurance premiums. It also provides a demonstration to both internal and external stakeholders of Corps Security’s commitment to health and safety, which will increase access to new customers and business partners.

To gain OHSAS 18001 Corps Security had its occupational health and safety management system rigorously audited and verified by an independent, third party certification body. The process involved an initial assessment of its documentation to ascertain that it met all the requirements of the standard. This was subsequently followed by a series of audits to check that records were being kept and documented working practices were being followed - not only within its national network of offices, but in the delivery of its services at customers’ premises.

Compliance will not stop there though. OHSAS 18001 certification requires an ongoing programme of improvement, which will be monitored through a series of surveillance visits to ensure that the system is maintained and is continuing to be effective.

As Corps Security already has ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, it now has the three leading quality management system standards in place. To avoid duplication in areas such as management review, document control, corrective action and the requirement for trained personnel, the company has integrated all three into a single comprehensive system, which means its customers can be reassured that service delivery standards are applied universally across its entire customer base.

‘We are delighted to be one of the first security services providers to gain OHSAS 18001 certification - something that demonstrates our commitment to excellence in all areas of our business activities,’ said Nick Gilroy, Corps Security’s quality and compliance manager. ‘Although this latest achievement means that we have the key triumvirate of ISO 9001, ISO 140001 and OHSAS 18001, there’s always room for improvement. As such, we are already preparing to adopt the proposed ISO 45001 standard, which is set to replace OHSAS 18001 in 2016.’