An audits partnership for continuous improvement: A message from RKMS Group Operations Director Rebecca Hoogerwerf

As you may already be aware, ADIPS has entrusted RKMS to manage all audits of registered Inspection Bodies under the scheme.

RKMS are experts in risk management and compliance, identifying, assessing, monitoring and mitigating risks within an organisation. Our team helps businesses to proactively manage potential risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on their operations, finances or reputation, with continuous improvement at the forefront of everything we do.

With RKMS’ involvement, organisations can establish and/or maintain protocols, processes and controls to effectively manage risks and ensure business continuity.

RKMS will be conducting IB audits on the ADIPS scheme, which involves thorough inspections, testing and certification of amusement devices, to ensure they meet safety standards and regulations. By participating in the ADIPS scheme, amusement device operators demonstrate their commitment to safety and provide assurance to the public that their attractions are safe to use. This is now with the added value that ADIPS inspections are assessed by a reputable, external business with 30 years in business under its belt!

We hold our own ISO standards in 9001, 14001 and 45001 as well as cyber essentials and PAS 2060. We have a direct contract with the ESFA and are an Ofsted ‘GOOD’ provider. So, we are more than aware of the challenges and/or concerns that come with being audited.

Our mission is to carry out effective audits of inspection bodies, not to directly find fault, but to provide a fresh set of eyes, provide certainty in your processes and where, if possible, provide advice and guidance on continuous improvement opportunities.

We are excited to begin this next chapter with ADIPS and its IBs. We have been working hard behind the scenes and now have a confirmed audit schedule, which we will be communicating shortly with everyone.

We want to ensure there are clear lines of communication and we want to build positive relationships with the inspection bodies under the ADIPS scheme and drive continuous improvement where possible. We are a family run business with customer support at the forefront of everything we do, and we see this as being no different.

What we will be looking for

When it comes to conducting assessments, here are a few things RKMS will be looking for.

In regard to your Quality Management System, we will be comparing the content against the requirements of ISO 17020. ISO 17020 is more involved than ISO 9001, as it has some additional requirements around competence and impartiality.

With Witnessed Inspections, we will be observing inspectors undertaking inspections to the requirements of the ADIPS Scheme Document & HSG 175 and other statutory, regulatory and legislative requirements which are applicable such as:

• ADIPS “Scheme Document for the inspection and Certification of amusement devices”
• HSE guidance HSG 175 “Fairgrounds and amusement parks – Guidance on safe practice”
• Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR)
• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015)
• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)
• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
• The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

From the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the main issues they found were damaged/poor electrical installation housing, missing grommets open to water ingress and human contact with live exposed cabling and switch gear.

For some pre-audit information and evidence, RKMS recommends reviewing and providing your training records to evidence competence of the inspectors, certification such as ISO 9001 and last audit report, and copies of your previous inspection report (for site visits on a device).

We aim for our reports to provide you with information to enable you to continually improve.

Our process is open, honest and transparent. Our four key values are:

Reliable, Knowledgeable, Measured and Supportive

We like to think of this as a partnership.

For more information about RKMS, please visit our website here.