A study on the implementation requirements of an integrated quality, environmental, safety and health management systems for the Philippine Rice Research Institute

• Main Author: Cortez, Dave Anthony M.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2003
• Subjects: Environmental management—Philippines; Environmental Engineering
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/6861
• Institution: De La Salle University

The Philippine Rice Research Institute or PhilRice is the current partner of the Philippine government in enhancing the rice harvest in the country today. With its mandate to conduct rice research and development, it has proven and establish a lot in rice science and technology locally and globally. The specific services of PhilRice are detailed from research and development on rice-related science demands, conduct of specialized training courses on rice production and other related specifics, farm equipment loan for farmers and farm cooperatives, and selling of seeds, rice foods and beverages, selected scientific and extensioncommunication materials (print and video) on rice science and technology. In catering these services and products, the PhilRice utilizes laboratories, fields, equipments, chemicals, methods or procedures, which emit air, water, land, and noise pollutants. These discharges which range from wastewater from laboratory and shop works, releases of nitrogen fumes from chloroform, ETOH, isopropanol, trizol, phenol, merchapethanol, used oils, excess chemicals from both field and laboratory, and heat emission from operating equipments, could be hazardous and fatal to employees as well as to other stakeholders who are engaged in such emissions of PhilRice. Thus, the PhilRice made the initiative of implementing ISO 14001:1996 the international standard requirements for an Environmental Management System (EMS). This was made as the solution to eliminate or at least mitigate the impacts of its function to the environment. This Practicum Project was a part of this initiative as it worked with the PhilRice EMS Team in assuring the conformance of its ISO 14001 implementation with the standard. As PhilRice moved on with the transition, it had seen and realized the greater need for an OHSAS 18001:1999, the international standard for health and safetymanagement system, which will safeguard the health and safety of its manpower. PhilRice also envisioned to adopt the principles of ISO 9001:2000, the international standard for quality management system, in order to upgrade its quality of services and products to its clientele as well as to smoothen the adoption of the two former standards. As a result, PhilRice came up with the concept of adopting an Integrated Quality, Environmental, Safety and Health Management Systems (QESHMS). Integrated QESHMS is an integrated performance of the three management systems that is in conformance with the standards of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001. This study had developed the set-up requirements for the QESHMS integration of PhilRice. This paper also studied and compiled on this project the vital references that could be used by PhilRice in its QESHMS Integration. Gap analysis was prepared so as to define the requirements, which are still needed to be implemented. Results of the Gap Analysis showed that 33% from the ISO 14001 implementation and 67% from the output of this practicum project contributed to the 33% accomplishment of the requirements of an Integrated QESHMS for PhilRice. Conversion, which is done by building upon an existing system the other management systems requirements that are to be integrated, is the best method of integration for PhilRice. This would fit to the condition and existing set-ups that PhilRice has. Anticipating the certification of its ISO 14001, integration of quality and safety and health management systems to the existing should just be carried out by building on the ISO 14001 preparations. Finally, the benefits of an integrated QESHMS to PhilRice and any other industry who wishes to have the same set-up would be a comprehensive and programmed means of managing their organization’s processes. This also develops an atmosphere of proactive identification and reaction to different problems. In effect, confidence and trust of involved parties and other stakeholders on the organization’s performance is achieved voluntarily. Integrated QESHMS is also a big initiative in getting a worldwide recognition.