HEALTH & SAFETY
Certification scheme. The scheme is an ongoing business management scheme aimed at continual improvement in industry standards which applies to all its members. Suppliers of hire plant, tools, equipment, machinery and temporary structures such as portable sanitation units and marquees, who have gained certification, can prove their competencies against the standards set.
The SafeHire private standard scheme is already well- recognised in the hire industry having been developed with the assistance of HSE, BSi and CHAS. In order to meet the criteria of certification companies must: prove competence in their safety, health, environmental and quality procedures; meet client demands for high standards of service; and demonstrate having a well- trained workforce to support customers fully with their hire needs, including providing adequate training for the respective equipment.
A HALLMARK FOR HIRE
When using third-party suppliers for vital equipment, how can FMs be sure of its quality
and protect their workforce? Graham Arundell, Managing Director at HAE EHA, explains.
Facilities managers know only too well how complex their role has become: many responsibilities lie at their door. From being up to speed with the multitude of legislation, guidance and compliance papers to ensuring the facility and grounds are functional and safe – it’s all in a day’s work.
Keeping on top of maintenance and building tasks with tight budgets and turnaround times can be quite challenging. Therefore, it is often necessary to hire plant, tools and equipment from third-party suppliers in order to get the job done effectively.
In our litigation driven society, it has never been more important for FMs to make sure that supplied machinery, tools, equipment and temporary structures are faultless and meet the highest health and safety standards. After all, who wants to be held to account for stage lighting electrocuting a pop star or a marquee collapsing on a happy couple’s wedding day?
The health and safety of all stakeholders in a hire relationship must be considered. Some organisations will be dealing with small tool hire businesses that largely service local companies and DIY fans, whilst others will be engaged with international companies who usually supply to huge construction or event sites. Either way, one of the top priorities has always got to be the safety of both employees and customers.
To support the ongoing focus on health and safety across the hire industry, Hire Association Europe (HAE) and Event Hire Association (EHA) is raising awareness of its SafeHire
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One of the most valued aspects of the scheme is that all SafeHire Certified companies must show that they are keeping up with the standard year after year. Full annual audits and inspections are carried out by HAE and EHA to ensure that standards are maintained over time. During an inspection, it is normal for the auditor to set targets for further improvement, even after the main standards have been met, in order to continuously strive for the best possible outcome.
“It has never been more important for FMs to make sure that supplied machinery, tools, equipment and temporary structures are faultless”
The introduction of SafeHire Certification addresses many past concerns relating to the consistency of standards across the hire industry and assures FMs and other customers across the UK of the rigorous, audited standards that any hire company has had to achieve in order to be part of the scheme.
HAE has over 900 members and an important condition of membership is that all members sign up to the SafeHire scheme. There is, however, scope for new firms to become members of HAE in order to gain certification. It is not a goal for the faint-hearted, as standards are challenging. Once attained, however, the benefits of the scheme are plentiful.
The hire sector is a key link in the supply chain for many FMs and can make the difference between delivering vital maintenance tasks and building projects safely and on time - or not. SafeHire Certification provides an additional layer of reassurance to FMs that their chosen supplier of hire equipment of any kind is fully committed to the health and safety of not only their customers but also any other workers associated with the project.
www.hae.org.uk twitter.com/TomorrowsFM
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