More and more quality professionals are finding themselves branded “QSHE Manager” which even comes with it’s own quasi-Chinese pronunciation: “qu-shi”, which ironically means “trend” in Mandarin.
Its opposite, shi-qu, means “to lose.” Just saying.
As yet another data point on why the quality profession has failed to gain traction as a “legitimate” career path or discipline, it’s allowed itself to get saddled with entirely off-topic subjects that no one else wants to touch. When a senior executive is looking for someone to manage occupational safety, worker health and the environment, rather than take on three additional salaries for properly trained and qualified experts in each discipline, why not just “give it that quality guy”?
It’s indicative of how management views quality — they don’t have enough to do already, so just give them three other entirely different jobs and call it a day. Win win.
Except that no one wins. The QSHE folks, sure, they become convinced they are experts in four things, and it makes that resume look good when things go south and they have to hit the pavement again. But what about actual worker safety? Human health? Protecting the environment? Are these important aspects properly served by tossing them into the same bucket as quality?
Of course not.
Safety, health and environmental management are ENTIRELY DIFFERENT CAREER PATHS that often require entirely different skillsets, training and experience. They come with entirely different university degrees and professional qualifications. Lumping them into the Quality role not only minimizes their importance, but draws valuable resources away from the Quality aspect.
Consider this: when getting your car fixed, do you want a mechanic that claims expertise in transmissions, scuba diving and knitting? How about a plumber who advertises mastery over skydiving and golfing? A physician who insists he not only can fix your thyroid, but also your electrical outlets?
Again, I’m not likely to convince any acting QSHE that they’ve been duped, nor will I convince the bosses that duped them. But I am concerned over the incredible risks associated with combining disparate professions into one, all to save a few bucks. Given that all four of the professions presume to understand risk management, you’d think they would have assessed those risks themselves.
Christopher Paris is the founder and VP Operations of Oxebridge. He has over 35 years’ experience implementing ISO 9001 and AS9100 systems, and helps establish certification and accreditation bodies with the ISO 17000 series. He is a vocal advocate for the development and use of standards from the point of view of actual users. He is the writer and artist of THE AUDITOR comic strip, and is currently writing the DR. CUBA pulp novel series. Visit www.drcuba.world
