Improved environmental outcomes for mining, petroleum and geothermal exploration and development
| Date: | Wednesday, 10 May 2017 |
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An initiative of the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) to integrate more of its processes and IT systems across the agency has resulted in three business areas combining their Quality Management Systems (QMS).
The department’s Environment and Petroleum Divisions, along with the Royalties Branch, have combined their QMS and achieved AS/NZS ISO 9001 re-certification after being audited in February 2017.
“Working across the Petroleum, Environment and Royalties areas to produce leading regulatory practices for petroleum has reinforced DMP’s reputation as a leading regulator,” Jeff Haworth, Executive Director Petroleum Division said.
“Independent auditing of our processes can also provide assurances to the Western Australian community that our regulatory framework is robust and continually scrutinised.”
The policy is reviewed on an annual basis.
Dr Phil Gorey, Acting Deputy Director General, said integrating the Quality Management processes with the Petroleum Division and the Royalties Branch is an excellent initiative and can only help DMP to continually improve the services that it provides to its customers.
“Surveillance of the business areas system certification is conducted by independent auditors qualified in inspecting, verifying and testing to ensure the systems and services are compliant with regulations and standards,” Dr Gorey said.
David Norris, General Manager Royalties Branch said that the QMS is established, documented and maintained, with the specific objective of ensuring that all work performed by the Royalties Branch meets the specified requirements of the quality objectives at a consistent level.
“The structure is based on the principles of the previous standard and the branch is well placed to meet the requirements of the new AS/NZS ISO 9001:2015 standard by February 2018,” Mr Norris said.
Under QMS AS/NZS ISO 9001 the business areas are certified to:
- Provide leadership and excellence in the delivery of regulatory services and policy advice to improve environmental outcomes for mining, petroleum and geothermal exploration and development.
- Provide a regulatory environment that enables the responsible development of petroleum and geothermal energy resources in Western Australia.
- Commit to achieving quality within all the organisations’ area of responsibility associated with administering petroleum and mineral royalty legislation.
The AS/NZS ISO 9001 Certificate of Registration confirms that the management systems comply with the requirements of the standard for provision of regulatory services for the minerals and petroleum industries and the community, and provide policy advice to the Minister for Mines and Petroleum.
The business areas have adopted Quality Assurance (QA), a customer focused strategy, to enhance the effectiveness of all its activities to maximise reliability and performance.
The strategy, with continuous improvement, system documentation and regular internal audits, aims to meet specifications of the International Quality Management Standard ISO 9001 across all business areas.
Effective QA helps promote credibility about the integrity of management processes, and gives business areas a stronger customer focus, to which it is already committed.
As a pre-condition, QA requires a quality policy, business online systems, records, forms and templates of all petroleum, environment and royalties related processes and training to meet the specified requirements of the customer and quality objectives at a consistent level.
This certification is reviewed annually against Australian Standards, and all findings, suggestions and complaints are followed through.
The business areas are committed to achieve certification under the new AS/NZS ISO 9001:2015 standard by February 2018. The new standard strives to give additional momentum to the continuous and systematic improvement of processes.
Suggestions are welcome and form part of the QA process to help us to improve our service. You can make feedback/suggestions via the Departments Feedback and complaints system.
