Setting an example in health and safety
February 1st 2009 Hire companies should ensure that health and safety is not only reflected by the product range they offer but is a central tenet of the company's culture, says Sat Dhai
The hire industry is probably the major supplier of products for use in all areas of industry from the construction site to the manufacturing plant and so has a key role to play in ensuring that users have the safest equipment and the safest possible working environment. Over the last five years, there has been an enhanced focus on health and safety and standards across the supply chain have improved.
Hire companies should ensure that health and safety is not only reflected by the product range they offer, it should be a central tenet of the company's culture. A company's commitment to this area should start internally, providing the highest possible health and safety levels for their own staff.
Under the stewardship of a health and safety director who should be at board level, hire companies can instil the right culture by setting up an internal health and safety committee comprising people from across their business to ensure they are driving this area forward continually. Hire companies should also invite customers to this forum to gain an insight into their priorities, as communication with customers is absolutely critical in ensuring effective health and safety practices.
Suitable training is essential when it comes to ensuring effective health and safety practices both internally and externally. For every employee of a hire company, health and safety should start at their induction into the company. Some companies have even introduced a special health and safety entry programme, which is implemented on the very first day of employment. This programme is mandatory - without signed proof that the new starter (whether senior manager or apprentice) has received the health and safety induction, he or she should not be placed on the company payroll. The programme involves the depot manager introducing the new employee to all basic aspects of health and safety, by following a simple on-screen seminar. Some companies are issuing employees with a health and safety pocket guide and providing additional health and safety information in company newsletters.
All critical company processes need to be centred on health and safety. This includes pre-delivery safety checks carried out during the on-hire process, with post-hire safety checks during the off-hire process.
Hire companies should also develop close links with organisations such as the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), becoming involved with and championing ongoing safety initiatives in the workplace.
As well as products and systems, it is my opinion that hire companies should also seek to act as trusted, reliable sources of high-quality safety know-how and information, dedicated to improving health and safety awareness and compliance. Hire companies should aim to offer a wide range of information both on-line and through specially targetted company literature, including:
- The company's full health and safety policy
- The complete procedures manual
- Method statements (for instance – Working at Height)
- Advice and information for special situations such as working by rail or in traffic
- Health and Safety bulletins
To summarise, hire companies should have a genuine internal and external 'Safety First' culture, led from board level.
Companies should be committed not only to meeting current health and safety requirements, but to exceeding them and setting standards for both staff and customers.
Sat Dhaiwal is chief executive officer of A-Plant, an accredited IPAF and PASMA training provider More articles from A Plant: | 
