Safety Policy Statement

As a responsible employer, we recognise our responsibilities for the health and safety of our employees and anyone affected by our actions. We believe our employees have the right to work in safe and healthy conditions. These conditions are created and maintained by having a clear health and safety policies systems and procedures.

Accordingly, we are committed:

• to provide adequate control of health and safety risks arising from our work activities;
• to consult with our employees on matters affecting their health and safety;
• to provide and maintain safe plant and equipment;
• to ensure safe handling and use of substances;
  to provide information, instruction and supervision for employees;
• to ensure all employees are competent to do their tasks, and to give them adequate training;
• to prevent accidents and cases of work related ill health;
• to maintain safe and healthy working conditions; and
• to review and revise this policy as necessary at regular intervals.

Members range from major national and international multi-site businesses, to regional hire businesses and many companies operating from one or more location. Hire Association Europe is held up as Model Trade Association by the Government. We are a non-profit making organisation, limited by guarantee. Hire Association Europe can trace its roots back to 1974.

HAE and EHA offer guidance to member companies to assist in improving industry standards to supporting campaigns to increase the awareness of the benefits of hire to end users. The Associations act in partnership with Government agencies and serve the hire industry through lobbying on behalf of its membership. HAE and EHA play a strategic role in support of the promotion and protection of the hire and rental industry.

Hire Association Europe exists to:

• Promote a profitable, sustainable and customer centred hire and rental industry
• Encourage members to adopt the highest standards of safety and ongoing maintenance
• Offer bespoke training and ongoing skill development opportunities in the industry
• Make the case for our industry to Government, regulators, other agencies, the media and general public based on member information, research and analysis Working with our members we have devised a voluntary Code of Conduct which seeks to amplify these goals. As with most documents of this nature, it is for member companies to formulate and manage policies relating to consumer and other relationships, but we ask that they understand and adhere to the principles set out in the Code.

Where a grievance does occur in relation to the hire and rental activities of our members, Hire Association Europe will facilitate arbitration to assist with resolution.

STANDARD TERMS

These terms are applicable to all members and cover all of the hire and rental services providedby members of Hire Association Europe. Members are encouraged to:

GENERAL

Conduct their business lawfully and comply with all relevant legislation and judicial decisions and trade fairly and responsibly. Behave at all times with honesty and integrity and endeavour to ensure that all other persons with whom the member has a commercial relationship, behave similarly. Members will not, knowingly, misrepresent facts to a customer concerning any aspect of a hire or rental transaction.

HIGHEST STANDARDS

Observe the Code of Conduct, which protects the interests of all customers ensuring that the
services provided are of the highest possible standard.

PREMISES

Operate from a suitable place of business and comply in full with all relevant regulations. In premises where customers are dealt with, the facility should be clean with a professional appearance, disciplined and well-regulated.

BUSINESS HOURS

Display hours of business prominently on premises and, where possible, on delivery notes.

TRAINING

Ensure that their staff, are adequately trained to a standard at least as high as that provided by Hire Association Europe Training programmes and to maintain a training log book for future reference.

ADVERTISING

Ensure that all their advertising and literature will contain no misleading or inaccurate statements, use their best endeavours to avoid such misleading statements and comply with the codes and standards set by the Advertising Standards Authority.

STAFF ACCESS

Ensure that a copy of the Code of Conduct is distributed to all operating locations of the member and that all operational staff have a proper understanding of the Code.

CUSTOMER ACCESS

Provide a copy of the full Code of Conduct, when requested by a customer.

INSURANCE

Ensure that they hold adequate insurance to cover any possible claims made by customers