Health and Safety » A1 Hire & Sales

At A1 Hire & Sales safety is an important part of our policy, to our colleagues, our customers and our equipment.

To ensure your safety the equipment you hire will have been tested for efficiency, durability and compliance. So you can hire from us in full confidence.

All our members of staff are fully trained and able to advise on the equipment you need and how to use it to make sure you get your job done safely and efficiently.

Our comprehensive operating and safety guidelines have allowed us to achieve the prestigious Hire association of Europe Safe-HIRE award every year since 2001.

If you have any questions we have personnel who are available to give advice on legislation, best H&S practice, personal protection, HAV levels, Noise and safe use of equipment.

Training Solutions

A1 Training can provide you and your company personnel with a wide range of standard, bespoke and accredited courses from General Health and Safety, Working at Height to IPAF and PASMA qualifications. So you can make sure your workforce is up to speed and compliant with appropriate technical and practical knowledge as well as the safest working practices.

Please click here for more information on A1 Training Services.

Working at Height Safely

The working at height regulations 2005 consolidate previous legislation and apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury.

The regulations put in place a hierarchy for managing and selecting work at height equipment: Avoid, Prevent and Protect are the basic principles that apply to work at height.

What does this mean to me?

AVOID work at height unless you have to.
Always look for alternative ways to get the job done this may be an existing place of work or by redesigning the task.

PREVENT a person falling.
If you have to work at height then consider all the risks in advance and carefully choose the right equipment for the task and working environment.
• Use the most suitable equipment.
• Give priority to collective protection measures (i.e. guard rails) over personnel protection (i.e. safety harnesses).
• Take into account the working conditions and the individuals capability.

PROTECTION from the consequences of a fall.
If you cannot eliminate the risk entirely, use work equipment or other suitable measure to minimise the consequences should a fall occur. This may be using air or bean bags, safety netting or any other form of passive fall protection.

What have I got to do?

1. Plan. All work at height must be properly planned and organised.
2. All those involved in working at height must be competent.
3. A full risk assessment is carried out and appropriate equipment is selected and used.
4. The risks from working on fragile surfaces are properly controlled.
5. The equipment for working at height must be properly maintained and inspected.

Before beginning any work at height, ensure that you carry out a proper risk assessment to determine if work at height is necessary and if it is, A1 Hire can advise on the most appropriate equipment to use. We will also visit your site to aid in your assessment if required.

If you want more information you can book a training course for many aspects of working at height.

Safety Symbols

EYE PROTECTION
All round protection grade 1 goggles to EN 166B - Less hazardous work Grade 2 spectacles.

BREATHING MASKS
1. General purpose, disposable masks for low risk dust and water-based airborne sprays.
2. Respiratory disposable masks with charcoal filter for welding fumes, ozone and most nuisance level odours.
3. Consult product supplier for guidance and COSHH data information.

WELDING MASKS
Welding masks or goggles are supplied with your equipment.

EAR DEFENDERS
For protection against high noise levels. Ear plugs are suitable for short-term work.

SAFETY FOOTWEAR
To BS EN 345 for Toe protection.

PROTECTIVE GLOVES
Gauntlets, PVC, Cotton, rubber or Rigger Gloves for hand protection.

SAFETY HELMETS
Protection against falling objects. Compulsory on site.

PERSONNEL LIFTING
Equipment designed for personnel lifting. Safety restraint harness recommended.

VIBRATION CAUTION
See below for further information.

Propane or Butane gas required for this equipment.

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)

What is HAVS?

HAVS occurs when people are exposed to excessive vibration. Vibrating tools such as breakers, drills and grinders can cause conditions including 'vibration white finger' and may also cause disorders of bones, muscles, joints and sensory nerves.

How long can I use a tool for?

The amount of time you can safely use equipment varies depending on the type of tool, its condition, the materials you are working with and the job you are doing. It is essential that you check carefully to ensure you are not facing the risk of developing a hand arm vibration-related disease.

To help you better assess the risks involved with specific tools that we hire, we have prepared a colour-coded chart. This corresponds to the red, yellow and green hands you may have noticed next to various items in our pricelist.

Please click here to download the HAVS Chart and guidelines (PDF file, 642kb)