Can CBs audit according to OHSAS 18001 criteria when they audit your QMS?

[Piero]

Here I am, alive after a five days (13 man-days) of audit by our Certification Body. No NCR wereissued but we had a discussion. The audit criteria were the one stated in the ISO 9001:2008. One of the auditor went in the construction site and found out that temporary electric panel had too many connections. In his opinion we didn’t plan in the right way the provisional electric system and we could have problem with safety and with continuity in works. He stated that the provisional electric system wasn’t designed taking into account all the subcontractors which were going to work in that site. When he asked for equipment maintenance, he was disappointed to see that only a small part was of them had a maintenance plan documented. Those equipment had influence on quality products the other don’t.
May be he was right for that site but I was wondering whether this was an ISO9001 or an ISO18001 criterion. He requested a corrective action but after discussion with the lead auditor they reported a Suggestion For Improvement.
They said that they are pushed by the accreditation body (SINCERT) to perform audit more and more integrated even if this integration is not a part of the audited system.
What do you think about this? Was it an ISO 9001 criterion? Did you experiment similar discussion?

[howste]

Not having been there it's hard for me to say, but I think they could have a case with clause 6.3

In Reply to Parent Post by ISO 9001

The organization shall determine, provide and maintain the infrastructure needed to achieve conformity to product requirements. Infrastructure includes, as applicable,
a) buildings, workspace and associated utilities...

If the power failed and could cause problems with the work, customer schedule, etc. then it might be considered a nonconformity.

Each audit should have a defined scope agreed between the Certification Body and the company. They shouldn't be including requirements of other standards in an ISO 9001 audit unless there has been a prior agreement to do so.

[Stijloor]

In Reply to Parent Post by howste

Not having been there it's hard for me to say, but I think they could have a case with clause 6.3

If the power failed and could cause problems with the work, customer schedule, etc. then it might be considered a nonconformity.

Each audit should have a defined scope agreed between the Certification Body and the company. They shouldn't be including requirements of other standards in an ISO 9001 audit unless there has been a prior agreement to do so.

Good points!

When I audit (within the defined and agreed upon scope) and I observe something that could be detrimental to the organization, its employees, and customers, even though it's outside the scope, I feel morally and ethically obligated to bring that to Management's attention. I may not raise this as a nonconformity, but corrective action will be highly recommended.

Good examples are safety and environmental issues. There are others as well.

Stijloor.