Step 1
Call or Email Mindorenio Pty Ltd and talk to me (Jim Foody) so I can get a feel for your business and how it operates - I will then give you an indication of the likely cost of getting you accredited. I say indicative because, while it is fairly easy to calculate the cost of getting you to the 1st audit, the overall cost of accreditation is dependent on how well your company embraces the designed system. Like the proverb "I can lead you to water but I can't make drink and also I can't make you stay by the lake". Once you decide to go ahead then I will meet with you and take an in-depth look at how you operate. From this visit we will tailor the Work Health Safety Management System (WHSMS) to suit your business. The FSC does not charge you any fees - even the audits are totally free.

Step 2
When you have adopted the system and any wrinkles have been ironed out, we register your details with FSC Online and populate the FSC form with your company information as well as the WHSMS information. How long before you are audited? - Well that entirely up to you and how long it takes you to get comfortable with the WHSMS. You get to decide when you are ready and notify the FSC and arrange a mutually agreeable time. I would recommend 3 months as you need at least that amount of history to satisfy the audit criteria. The fee we have quoted you covers Jim Foody attending the first audit along with someone from your company.

Step 3
The audit process usually takes 2 - 3 days and includes field audits on 2 hazardous tasks such as Confined Space Entry, Excavation deeper than 1.5m or similar. Your company representative needs to be familiar with the WHSMS as that has a bearing on the auditors recommendation. You need your documentation (evidence) laid out out a large table where it can be accessed quickly. The audit consists of examining the WHSMS and how it addresses the FSC Key Points and then looking at the supporting evidence. Surprisingly the auditors are drawn from within the industry. The bloke I have had twice recently used to be a plumber. However, they are auditors and very pedantic so don't expect it to be easy. The auditor will give you the heads up on how it went (unofficially) and tell you the FSC will give you the results in 21 days . No one has ever passed on their first audit so don't be too concerned.

Step 4
The next step is dictated by the results official audit -- If the WHSMS needs revision (there usually is some minor revision) then that will most likely be covered by our original quote. The common problem is with incomplete (or insufficient) self audit data to verify you are operating in accordance with your WHSMS. To put it into prospective, the FSC has told me (off the record), that most companies take 3 to 4 or even 5 audits before gaining accreditation. During the previous audit process each point you address will be rated Closed - Open Minor -- Open Major -- or in other words Pass -- Minor Fail -- Major Fail. Minor fails do not require further audits - Major Fails do. Mindorenio Pty Ltd will attend further audits if you wish but at additional cost. You and your company should have sufficient experience to move forward from this point. However, we will continue to support you right up to accreditation & beyond.

Step 5
The last step is closing out the minor fails and this may be our responsibility (and cost) or some self generated data from you that the FSC requires. Once all the boxes are ticked then you are officially accredited. However, unlike WH&S of the past, your work is now just beginning. It is not difficult work or costly, its just repetitive. If all staff are doing their bit (just a few minutes each day), then It should only take one person 12 to 15 hours per week to maintain the WHSMS of a construction company with less than 30 employees. The FSC requires and ongoing commitment to keep your accredited status.