Patterns of analysis
The need for control of suppliers in the various interactions with customers is explicitly stated in ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems), which specifically requires that the buyer of the generic product/service purchase:
- Verify the conformity of the procured products to the specified requirements;
- Select suppliers based on their ability to provide products and/or services that meet requirements;
- Record the results of the evaluation and all subsequent actions;
In summary, the above requirements can be traced back to control activities aimed at enabling business relationships with its suppliers, secure business arrangements in order to ensure optimum cost/time/quality ratio.
Managing such a process as part of a larger security business plan allows for constant verification and control of the vendor through specific activities accomplished over time:
The Qualification
- Preventive activity to be carried out prior to supply aimed atascertaining the technical and professional skills of the supplier, as well as checks regarding the corporate strength extended to the relevant corporate assets;
Control and monitoring
- Constant monitoring activities about the agreed contractual specifications with particular reference to the quality of the products/services offered and the company’s performance also taking into account any external scenarios;
More and more companies are scientifically analyzing their supplier partners. Indeed, their proper selection and constant monitoring allow companies to see their security guaranteed domestically and internationally with less and less exposure to risk, being better able to focus on their core business.
Another indispensable aspect in the area of control and monitoring of its partner suppliers is in reference to full compliance with specific regulations in the area of safety in the workplace (Legislative Decree 81/2008 “Single text on the protection of health and safety in the workplace”).
The obligations for companies cover many fronts: training, analysis of risks related to workers’ health and safety (of individual activities and arising from the interference of work by contractors and subcontractors), identification of the chain of responsibility starting with the employer, procedures and protective equipment, and supervision of activities.
The evaluation of contractors on the issue of safety can be traced back to their “formal” organization, i.e., the possession of specific organizational and procedural elements and aspects capable of ensuring good management practices in addition to the fulfillment of any legal obligations; below is a list of some of the parameters identified.
In this regard, SSI stands as the ideal interface between the client and the provider in order to verify full compliance with the stipulated regulations and as an advisory support to the drafting and constant monitoring of the stipulated documents such as:
- development of the Operational Safety Plan (OSP)
- development of the Construction Site Safety Plan (SSC)
- Training and periodic updating of personnel on site organization, working methods, use of equipment and means of work
- existence of accident statistics
