HAE EHA (Hire Association Europe and Event Hire Association) has announced it is to restart SafeHire certification audits to help get the industry recover following the Covid-19 lockdown period.
The organisation said it had decided to resume safety audits as construction workers and those involved in the hire sector return to work, though to address members’ concerns a ‘Point of Work Risk Assessment’ will be conducted to ensure there is an ‘agreed and safe method’ of conducting the process.
During the pandemic, HAE EHA provided a three-month extension to members whose SafeHire certification had expired or was about to expire. Now that many businesses in the tool, plant and equipment hire sector are reopening operations for customers, members are being urged to book dates for audits.
The trade association’s director of certification services, Carl Bartlett said, “In order that we continue to support our members to maintain the highest of standards in the hire and rental industry we are recommencing our audit services from July. We will of course observe any safety requirements implemented within an organisation and communicate these to our team whilst conducting the desktop and site audits.”
HAE EHA has been hosting webinars and also produced updated practical guidance for hire centres which can be accessed through its website.
In order for hire firms to achieve certification, participation in the SafeHire scheme requires businesses to be inspected annually. Paperwork, day-to-day operations, staff training and environment are all checked for compliance with the scheme’s standards.
