ISO 50001 Status For Hitachi Construction Machinery (UK)

In January this year, Hitachi Construction Machinery (UK) Ltd achieved full ISO 50001 Energy Management Accreditation.

ISO 50001 involves the integration of energy management systems alongside quality and environmental health and safety systems, all based on the management system model of continual improvement. It is a more comprehensive approach to energy management than the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme; a minimum standard set by the EU and brought into law by the current UK government.

To achieve ISO 50001, Hitachi Construction Machinery (UK) had to establish a structure to review and improve energy usage (encompassing gas, electricity, fuel and water) throughout the organisation, from Head Office down to individual depots, from the Board of Directors to the shop floor.

Hitachi Construction Machinery (UK) achieved ISO 50001 under the guidance of external consultant, David Kirtley. Kirtley helped to establish an energy committee within the organisation consisting of staff members from all levels of the Company, while also delivering formal energy management training sessions at all Hitachi locations across the country.

The committee meets every two months to discuss potential energy saving ideas and their subsequent implementation. So far, the committee has overseen the introduction of hybrid vehicles into the company car fleet and is currently investigating the possibility of hybrid vans and solar panels on certain buildings.

The committee has also helped support staff at all levels and all locations by including energy management support documentation and a comprehensive energy use database in their company intranet. This allows easy access for all members of staff, whether it be new members of staff who need to get up to speed on company best practices or current employees interested in contributing to on-going energy conservation discussions.

Hitachi Construction Machinery (UK) are delighted with the progress made so far and the contribution ISO 50001 has made to the organisation. Not only has the accreditation led to significant energy savings, it has also led to significant economical benefits.

In addition the Company have been successfully re-assessed and recertified with accreditations for ISO 9001 Quality Management, ISO 14001 Environmental Management and ISO 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management.