WASH, from Quality Council of India (QCI)

We all are going through the difficult phase of pandemic, because of Corona virus disease, COVID 19 which stopped all the activities in the society and seriously impact on industries, businesses and organizations.

So, what’s the Extra Edge?

Role of Management System

Management system plays the important role in planning the activities align with organization’s business strategy and has to plan the activities in a manner, so that it can achieve the intended objectives.

To achieve the intended objectives of the organization, it is required to focus on the management systems in the manner mentioned as above, which include the various processes which may be dependent or independent on the other process.

The management system can be made part ofthe organization by implementing one or in combination of international standards, which are design for the specific purpose, like Quality management system, Environment Management System, Energy Management System, Laboratory Management System etc.

Besides this, there are many standard, procedures and SOPs organization and business houses generate in-house for the specific purpose to achieve its specific objective.

WASH – Workplace Assessment for Safety and Hygiene

After going through lock-down period in various stages to unlock-1 with aim to combat and contain the Corona virus disease, COVID 19 Industries and businesses are again opening with EXTRA EDGE and from many initiatives, one motivational and inspirational initiative is ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT ABHYAN.

This re-opening of industries and organization required the preparedness before and during the operations, in such a way that it safeguard from harsh effect of Corona virus disease, COVID 19 to its employees, contract workers and other interested parties.

The importance of this preparedness has been well understood by QCI, Quality Council of India, which is an autonomous non-profit organization under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India. QCI launched the scheme called  Workplace Assessment for Safety and Hygiene (“WASH”) scheme which author feels as “Beyond the boundary Thinking”.

This scheme WASH is equipped with following documents,

1. Standard and guideline document,
2. Scheme Process flow document,
3. Self-assessment check list and
4. Site assessment checks list and report.

The standard and guideline document comprises of 15 different clauses and these clauses are divided in various sections and requirements of these sections are explained in details under heading sub-element. These various sections are further categorised having the sub-section. For each sub-section there is requirement which has to follow. These sub-sections are categorised and mentioned as “essential” where required.

For the easiness in implementation of this scheme “WASH” each sub-section are covered with guidance as a part of what to do? , How to do? , What is required? ,etc.

The beauty of this scheme is that, this considered the importance of training, learning and development, awareness, waste management, public interaction. With all these important points there is unique focus area what author feel strongly is inclusion of “Transport Management” which is important in itself form the point of view of holistic preparedness in the organization.

The 15 clause of the Workplace Assessment for Safety and Hygiene (“WASH”) scheme is as below:

1. Management Commitment
   1. Management Focus
   2. Resource Provision
2. Regulatory and other requirements
3. Business Continuity
4. Risk Management
5. Communication
6. Hygiene and Safety
   1. Personal Hygiene and Safety
   2. Workplace Hygiene and Safety
   3. Social Distancing
7. Preventive Measures
8. Training and Awareness
9. Waste Management
10. Ventilation
11. Public Interaction
12. Supply Chain
    1. Supplier communication
    2. Self-Declaration
13. Transport Management    
    1. General requirements
    2. Cargo / Material Transport
14. Documentation Requirements
    1. Documentation
    2. Record Management
15. Control of Discriminatory Practices

This scheme will be assessed by the person assigned by QCI or an NABCB accredited Certification body (CB) or Inspection Body (IB). Auditor for any management system in NABCB accredited Certification Body

Hope, this scheme can be proved as a milestone in combating Corona virus disease, COVID 19 and preparedness for the organization of any size.