RENTAL+
What is IPAF Rental+? IPAF Rental+ is an independent quality mark awarded by IPAF to member access rental companies independently audited as meeting defined standards in customer service, safety, staff training, contract terms and machine inspection. The standards are set by a committee
of experienced individuals in the powered access rental business. Each audited company gets a return visit from the auditors every year. The IPAF Rental+ sign distinguishes
competence of the operator supplied by the rental company. “The IPAF Rental+ accreditation is one that
we are proud to hold and it helps ensure that we are driven by excellence from the initial enquiry through to the completion of the hire,” says Leicester. “We are fortunate to have a loyal customer
base that gives us reliable and honest feedback and praise for the service we deliver. We focus on the entire customer experience and always look for ways to do better.” Dave Williams of Wakefield-based Horizon
Platforms says: “With IPAF Rental+, every part of the hire process is improved and regularly audited, from the initial enquiry, through to the driver being adequately trained to deliver and hand over the machine to the hirer.
on, “and we are committed to impeccable service, ensuring that customers get what they want, when they want it, every time. We aim to answer the telephones within three rings and always try to accommodate any special customer requests.” Malcolm Bowers, director of Lifterz in West
Yorkshire, says: “Quality-assured standards mean very little when they are not measured against any benchmark. “ISO standards do not necessarily measure
within the industry as a whole and companies have their own internal standards. With IPAF Rental+, companies are accredited against standards that have been set by others. Bowers points out Lifterz is concentrating
its investment in the market for tall, drivable- at-height electric scissor lifts. The company
IPAF RENTAL+ GIVES CONTRACTORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SOURCE THE CORRECT MACHINE FOR THEIR PARTICULAR SITES, ENSURING THAT CONTRACTS ARE CARRIED OUT IN A SAFE, EFFICIENT WAY “Poor-quality machines or poor handovers
cost time and money on sites. The strict, structured processes involved in IPAF Rental+ give contractors the opportunity to source the correct machine for their particular sites, ensuring that contracts are carried out in a safe, efficient way.” Williams notes that Horizon has only ever
bought brand new platforms from the best manufacturers and invested in state-of-the- art delivery vehicles. “We have never been the cheapest rental
company and our IPAF Rental+ accreditation gives us the opportunity to sell our benefits to customers. It offers peace of mind not only to our end-user customers, but to other rental companies who rehire our machines. “Our people are the cornerstone,” he goes
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reliable suppliers of access equipment that go that extra bit further to provide customers with top-quality service from knowledgeable hire desk staff whose training and competency are checked by the IPAF Rental+ auditor. Procedures ensure the right questions
are asked to ascertain the best machine for the job, and if the customer is uncertain, to offer to conduct a site survey. Auditor-checked staff’s knowledge of safety legislation and equipment will help contractors operate safely and legally. All IPAF Rental+ companies use
delivery drivers trained to demonstrator level. They can explain and demonstrate features of the machine, including manufacturer’s instructions and warnings, control functions, safety devices and emergency lowering procedures. When a machine is handed over to
a customer, there must be an offer of a familiarisation demonstration. There must be proof that this question has been asked and a system in place for when such familiarisation is not possible. IPAF Rental+ companies can provide trained operators with machines hired out. These companies have qualified
has nearly 50 such units, including ones supplied by Holland Lift, PB Lift and Iteco. “Contractors who use IPAF Rental+
companies can be assured that their supplier will have procedures in place that will bring benefits to them. Even at the initial request for equipment, the process is designed to ensure that the right piece of kit is ordered to help the customer fulfil his obligations under the Work at Height Regulations. “This is a far cry from dealing with a
scripted and inexperienced person in a call centre,” says Bowers. “From the original enquiry onwards, the pre-delivery inspection, delivery and invoicing, the whole procedure, is assessed and monitored to ensure that standards are met.” See the full list of IPAF Rental+ companies at
www.ipaf.org. n
staff, from full service and maintenance engineers to pre-delivery inspection (PDI) inspectors. All appropriate PDI and maintenance paperwork and records must be kept. In the UK, access equipment used to lift people must be thoroughly examined by a competent person every six months. Machines on hire must carry a current valid certificate of thorough examination. IPAF Rental+ companies are required
always to know where their machines are, making it easier to provide support and back-up when needed. The IPAF Rental+ audit also verifies that the company has processes and policies for dealing with issues such as customer satisfaction, insurance, and health and safety.
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