Quality Management Systems
I.S EN ISO 9001:2000 - Quality Management Systems
SM Morris Ltd achieved I.S EN ISO 9001:2006 Certification for the Supply and Manufacture of Aggregates, Roadmaking and Resurfacing Materials, Asphalts and Macadams, Readymix Concrete and Pre-cast Products in January 2008.
The main purpose of this Quality Management System I.S EN ISO 9001:2000 was to improve quality of our Products and Services.
Amongst the many benefits which can be gained, I.S EN ISO 9001:2000 has enabled SM Morris Ltd to improve Customer Satisfaction Levels, Internal Efficiency and Employee Involvement.
The key elements of I.S EN 9001:2000 are:
- Establishing the Quality Management System (QMS) for the Manufacture and Supply of Aggregate, Concrete and Asphalt.
- Using the Quality Management System effectively
- Reviewing whether the results are satisfactory
- Improving the Quality Management System
The QMS identifies processes (Management and Operations), success criteria, the inter-relationship between processes and the system for checking results. Each process has to have an “owner” and the owner is responsible for the activities that relate to the success criteria of the process.
For example all Vehicle Drivers and Plant Operators complete daily checklist to ensure the safe operation of the machinery. This enables SM Morris Ltd to service and fix vehicles in systematic manner. This has improved overall safety and efficiency throughout the company. The QMS and general quality is the overall responsibility of the Quality Manager, Quarry Manager and Company Directors.
The Quality Manual is required and a number of documents and records. The areas are:
- Document Control
- Records Control
- Internal Audits
- Non-conforming Product
- Corrective Action
- Preventive Action
The Quality Policy is the area where the owners or managers of the company establish the fundamental direction of the QMS. This can be supplemented by Vision and Mission Statements but this is not required. Strategy should follow from the Quality Policy and from the business environment.
INab - The Irish National Accreditation Board - Laboratory Accreditation
S.M.Morris Construction Materials Laboratory have successfully obtained INAB Accreditation for its main laboratory located at its Ballinclare Quarry in Co. Wicklow.
The Laboratory was assessed for compliance with the International Standard ISO 17025 “General Requirements for the Competence of Testing & Calibration Laboratories”.
The assessment includes examination of our organisation’s Quality Management System & the Technical Competence of all staff to perform all applicable tests listed on our Scope for Accreditation.
The essential requirements which we fulfilled are as follows:
- A documented Quality Management System & Quality Manuals
- An organised functional structure with clearly defined technical and quality responsibilities
- Impartiality, integrity and independence
- Technically competent personnel
- Calibrated and Maintained Equipment
- Traceable measurements
- Uncertainty of measurement for all tests and internal calibrations
- Participation in & achievement of satisfactory results in proficiency testing and inter-laboratory comparison schemes applicable to the scope of accreditation
- Technically valid testing & calibration procedures
It is our company’s Quality Policy to endeavour to continuously improve its Quality Management System and Procedures.
The Irish National Accreditation Board regularly monitors, assesses & audits our Laboratory to ensure compliance to the high standards we have set which in turn enables our customers to use or products and services with the greatest confidence.
EN206 - The National Standards Authority of Ireland Quality Scheme for Readymixed Concrete in Ireland I.S. EN 206-1:2002.
S.M.Morris Construction Materials Laboratory has successfully obtained NSAI Certification for its Concrete mixes produced at Ballinclare Quarry Plant and Site Plant, located on the Greystones Harbour Development Project. The Laboratory was assessed for compliance with I.S.EN 206–1:2002
Part 1: Specification Performance, Production and Conformity and the Irish National Annex is now available as the Standard for Ready mixed Concrete Specification, Production, Conformity Assessment and Delivery.
I.S.EN 206-1 - Places significant responsibility on Producers to demonstrate conformity with specified requirements within I.S. EN 206-1:2002 . Further, the specification offers greater clarity in regard to exposure class, strength class and consistency of mix.
The assessment included:
An initial inspection of the Concrete Plant and it’s Production Control Process to determine if staff and equipment, production and production controls are in compliance to I.S.EN 206.
- The producer’s production control manual and the degree of conformance with the requirements for production control detailed in I.S.EN 206–1 and National Annex.
- The availability of current documents relevant to appropriate personnel and essential for plant inspections.
- Whether all essential facilities and equipment are available, in order to carry out the necessary inspections and tests on equipment, constituent materials and concrete mixes.
- Knowledge, training and experience of the staff for production and production control, this included testing and reporting.
The ongoing assessments include, as a minimum:
- Sampling and testing procedures, Recorded Data
- Test results obtained for production control during the inspection period.
- Frequency of required tests or procedures.
- Scheduled test equipment maintenance, calibration and Equipment Checks.
- Actions taken with respect to any non-conformity.
- Delivery tickets and the declarations of conformity where relevant.
The principal benefits from this new scheme are:
- Consistency of approach to Concrete Production
- Continuous Improvement of Quality Assurance
- Clarity of requirements from Specification through to delivery
- Synchronisation with ISO 9000 Quality Management Systems.
