FORCE-Dantest CERT has performed certification assignments at Elsam A/S since 2002, when Elsam’s major plants on Funen and in Jutland, Denmark obtained an initial environmental certification. FORCE-Dantest CERT has also certified Elsam’s service operations of the Horns Rev wind turbines according to ISO 9001. Thus, FORCE-Dantest CERT was the natural choice for Hirtshals Kraftvarmeværk, which is a member of the Elsam operations, as the certification body for their environmental and working environment management.

Certification and preparation

Prior to the certification, Hirtshals Kraftvarmeværk completed a preparatory period with internal project groups that worked on the development of daily working procedures, and key staffs were trained in the requirements relevant to a sound working environment. When Hirtshals Kraftvarmeværk had prepared the procedures, and the systems were implemented, they were all set for certification.

FORCE-Dantest CERT was involved in the process at this stage to identify the working environment on the basis of a checklist of e.g. heavy liftings, noise, dust, the mental working environment, biological and chemical conditions. Subsequently, all staff was interviewed with the participation of FORCE-Dantest CERT’s auditor and a technical expert to provide a professional assessment of the site conditions.

Hirtshals Kraftvarmeværk was certified in the autumn of 2004 for a period of three years, and FORCE-Dantest CERT performs an annual surveillance check to ensure certification requirements remain fulfilled.

Documentation of proactive efforts

By introducing a certified working environment management system, Elsam wanted to put its working environment on the agenda and make it the natural choice for the company’s operations. The working environment certificate documents Hirtshals Kraftvarmeværk’s active efforts in creating a sound and safe environment for its staff.

This assignment is an illustrative example of FORCE-Dantest CERT’s expertise in assisting companies with certification and thus adding genuine value for their benefit. This applies to the certification of environmental, working environment or quality systems.