Gardline Marine Sciences recognises that the principal means to fulfil its service goals is to determine and meet all customer needs. These may be contractual, regulatory or environmental and either explicit or implicit. To achieve these aims, the organisation has established a 'Quality Committee' to supplement the work of the Management Review Body. This committee consists of senior board members, the QA Manager and selected personnel. They meet on a regular and frequent basis, primarily to monitor the organisation's progress towards stated quality objectives and to identify and introduce improvement mechanisms. The committee moreover has the authority to update the organisation's Quality Policy in harmony with changing customer, legislative and other requirements. As a key part of this policy the following measurable Quality Objectives have been set with (in brackets) the relevant data source.

• Reduction in the level of Client Complaint (all sources, including non-conformance reports).
• Increase in overall level of client satisfaction (Performance Questionnaire).
• Reduction in vessel downtime (vessel statistics compiled by Operations Department).
• Reduction in lost time costs (cost estimates from non-conformance returns).
• Reduction in action response time (non-conformance and audit finding close-out returns).
• Reduction in overdue reports (Marketing and Data Presentation reports).

The QA Manager is responsible for presenting information to the Quality Committee and Management Review Body, to enable them to perform their functions effectively. S/he carries out and monitors resultant action, ensures compliance with the Quality Management System generally and actively encourages the full participation of all employees. As part of their normal duties, employees should report quality, health and safety shortcomings and hazards, propose improvements and play an active part in consultation activities. As an additional encouragement the Management Review Body awards cash prizes to those submitting the best improvement ideas.

Gardline Marine Sciences takes all practical Health and Safety measures to prevent personal injury and promote a safe working environment. Management controls the design, manufacture, use and maintenance of plant, equipment and facilities and provides protective equipment, safety devices, safety training and working conditions to counter known risks and hazards in the workplace and meet the needs of the Heath and Safety at Work Act.

The system requires employees to act responsibly, be alert to potential hazards and dangers and do everything possible to ensure the safety of themselves and others. This includes, for example, using safety guards and protective equipment, obeying safety rules and warning notices and reporting promptly any accidents and potential hazards.

Contact:
Pat Harrington, QA Manager
pat.harrington@gardline.com