Cotswold Archaeology achieves ISO 45001 certification

Cotswold Archaeology is delighted to announce that our occupational health and safety management system (referred to simply as CA SHE) has been certified to the highly regarded ISO 45001 standard. Here is how we got there…

Back in 2019, with CA’s continuing growth and success, the possibility of acquiring the ISO 45001 standard was first raised. With the introduction of the role of a dedicated H&S Officer, the company decided the time was right to pursue this accreditation.

Spring 2020 saw the initial gap analysis conducted, revealing that our existing health and safety system was already compliant with much of the ISO standard’s exacting requirements. Unfortunately, within a few weeks, the Pandemic hit, diverting the focus to making sure our operations could continue while maintaining the safety of our colleagues, friends, family and the public.

Finally, after navigating three lockdowns and countless changes to restrictions, CA once again reset its sights on achieving accreditation and, buoyed on by our earlier successes, the stage was set for CA to undergo the rigorous two stage audit process.

Throughout July and August, the CA compliance team were engaged in audits, which involved an in-depth analysis of CA’s systems and procedures, including noting improvements put in place and SMART targets set. It goes without saying that there were smiles all round when the external auditor gave us the news we’d been hoping for – CA was to be accredited!

This certification complements CA’s long-standing ISO 9001 and 14001 accreditations, as well as our other industry accepted accreditations, and demonstrates an occupational health, safety and management system that goes beyond the “basic” legal compliance required in UK law, setting CA firmly alongside other industry leaders across all sectors.