TVIB News

TRAINING: LAST CALL Subchapter M Auditor Course (TSMS)

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The registration deadline for the TSMS Auditor Training Course is fast approaching. The dates for this course are April 11-12, 2023. If you have expressed interest in becoming an External Auditor, this is the course for you.

The TSMS Auditor Certification 2-day virtual course focuses on training external (third-party) auditors how to use the TVIB audit process, which was developed to meet ISO 19011 Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems and tailored for the unique situations auditing under Subchapter M and the RCP.

Who Should Attend

  • Auditors who wish to become certified by TVIB to perform American Waterways Operators (AWO) Responsible Carrier Program (RCP) audits and Subchapter M TSMS audits. If you’re interested in certification, you will need to complete and submit the auditor member application and application fee. Your application must be screened by the TVIB Certification Committee and approved prior to attending the course. Those individuals who want the training without becoming certified are not required to submit a TVIB membership application.
  • Marine executives, HSE managers, operations managers, safety consultants and regulators seeking more in-depth information about the AWO RCP and Subchapter M.
  • Individuals who are interested in obtaining Subchapter M and/or the RCP training without becoming a certified auditor are welcome to attend the class.

This course meets the requirements of 46 CFR 139.130(b)(4) for those seeking to perform external audits under a TPO.

CICK HERE TO REGISTER

TVIB Talks March 23-All About the DPA

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Do you know what Subchapter M requires of the Designated Person Ashore (DPA)? Are you looking for ways your organization can set the DPA up for success, while following the regulatory requirements of this person?

Join us for our bi-monthly FREE webinar series, TVIB Talks, on March 23, 2023 at 2:00 PM CDT for an exciting conversation with guest speakers Rick Dunn, President of SafeMARINER, LLC and David Foret, Jr. of the ACTion group, who will focus on considerations for the DPA, company management, internal and external auditors and anyone involved in safety and compliance.

During this one-hour webinar, we will discuss the following:

  • How the DPA requirements of Sub M, RCP and ISM Code differ
  • What organizations can do to help set the DPA up for success
  • What steps the DPA and company management can take to protect themselves
  • Whether the DPA can be an internal auditor for a very small company

We will also dive into a real-life case study: Certified Letter From USCG to DPA after a Fatality … what to do if this happens?

While TVIB Talks webinars are usually only open to TVIB members, this special session is open to anyone in the industry who is looking for tips for the DPA, ways to stay in compliance and prevent future issues from occurring.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

If you are looking for additional training opportunities for DPAs, Internal Auditors or on risk management generally, please visit the ACTSafe Training website.

SUB M: Is your internal auditor properly trained and free from conflicts of interest?

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46 CFR Subchapter M 138.310(d)(2) requires those performing internal audits to have completed an ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9001-2000 or ISO 9001:2008(E) (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter) internal auditor/assessor course or Coast Guard-recognized equivalent.

 

This is NOT the same as an ISO 9001 Lead Auditor course. The curriculum of an Internal Auditor course is different than a Lead Auditor course, just as an internal audit should be very different than an external/third-party audit.

TVIB has worked with ACTSafe Training for the past several years to support the Marine Internal Lead Auditor (MILA) course that is a Coast Guard-recognized equivalent that meets the requirements of §138.310(d)(2).

 

UPCOMING MILA COURSE: March 21st-22nd  REGISTER HERE

 

Additionally, in accordance with §138.310(d)(3) internal auditors may not be the designated person, or any other person, within the organization that is responsible for development or implementation of the TSMS; and §138.310(d)(4) requires that the internal auditor must be independent of the procedures being audited, unless this is impracticable due to the size and the nature of the organization.

It is in an organization’s best interest to use an auditor that is independent of the procedures being audited to avoid a case of “the fox watching the hen house.” The objectivity of the internal auditor is critical to an unbiased review of the organization’s TSMS. The purpose of the internal audit is to ensure the organization has the proper controls, governance and risk management processes in place, according to the Institute of Internal Auditors.

An easy or insufficient internal audit does the operator no favors. The internal activity, on the vessel and in the office, is designed to identify any gaps or deficiencies, to ensure compliance and improve the TSMS.

 

Please feel to reach out to our staff if you would like to discuss the differences between internal and external audits and the required training for those auditors.

Phone: 832-323-3992