With everything that’s transpiring regarding the coronavirus, I wanted to communicate what The ISO 9001 Group’s current response plan to address the potential known risks due to the ever evolving coronavirus threat, so that we can ensure the safety of The ISO 9001 Group and Clients’ personnel.

The Coronavirus

Please click the link for The World Health Organization to learn more about the Coronavirus.

Onsite and Remote Activities

As of now, The ISO 9001 Group is planning to conduct consulting auditing and training activities remotely, until COVID-19 bans are lifted. The ISO 9001 Group is capable of conducting activities remotely through our web-conferencing platforms. ISO 19011:2018 Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems, the international standard for auditing, does allow for remote auditing. This will ensure that client projects and objectives continue to move forward.

Protective Measures Against Risks

As we go through our daily personal and work-related activities, its very important that each individual is mindful and take necessary precautions to protect their personal health and the health of others. Below are a few things we all can do to help protect ourselves and reduce the spread of the coronavirus. We have asked our staff to practice these measures. You can click this link to learn more about the precautions listed below.

1. Build up your immune system. Work to build up your immune system to fight against the virus. An inch of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

2. Wash hands frequently. Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

3. Practice social distancing. Maintain at least 3 feet distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

4. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

5. Practice respiratory hygiene. Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately. Don’t cough or sneeze in your hands.

6. Stay home if you’re sick. Please email me at ocombs@iso9001group.com, if we need to reschedule due to personnel sickness. Please try to provide as much notice as possible, so that appropriate accommodations can be made.

Flexibility and Patience

We understand that this situation has caught us all by surprise and we all are working to deal with the uncertainty. I understand that clients may need to reschedule due to unforeseen events and please understand that The ISO 9001 Group may need to reschedule to unforeseen events as well. During this time I ask that we all practice flexibility and patience as we work through this challenge together, while keeping our personnel safe.

Conclusion

Although there is a lot of uncertainty regarding the coronavirus, as in most cases its important for us all to practice good hygiene and protective measures as we move forward. We should not panic, but we should operate from a position of prevention and precaution. This risk should not be understated and let’s pray for those that are working in the health industry to address this risk and let’s do our part to reduce the spread of it. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

Best Regards,

Oscar Combs

President & Sr. Consultant of The ISO 9001 Group