Sunbelt Receives UKAS Accreditation

We are relentless in our desire to continue to improve standards for the lifting industry, as demonstrated by being members of the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association. Safety is one of our core values, and we are passionate about ensuring that it’s one of yours too, through informing, educating, and facilitating, to ensure that best practice is the standard practice.

Reflecting on our recent UKAS Accreditation, Gary Joyice, Head of Lifting at Sunbelt Rentals commented:

“Ensuring the safety of our customers and colleagues is and has always been top priority for Sunbelt Rentals. Year-on-year we strive to grow and develop as a company, and we are proud to say the health and safety of our teams is always our number one priority.”

“We’re thrilled to have been awarded with the UKAS Accreditation, which reinforces our commitment to providing exceptional safety standards across our whole business. Customers and partners working with Sunbelt Rentals can be assured that our policies and procedures meet the highest standards, providing safe, first-class lifting equipment whenever you need it.”

How do we guarantee safety with our lifting equipment? Let us help you.

Meticulous attention to safety controls and measures
Prior to any lifting equipment being hired out, pre-hire checklists are followed to ensure that all machinery is in optimal condition and meets the industry standards, guaranteeing customers a safe and cost-effective hire.

Full inspection service
We offer a full inspection service, carried out by LEEA certified engineers, either on site or at your premises, to ensure peace of mind. This comprehensive service guarantees that the equipment is in excellent working condition, reduces the risk of accidents and increases the overall safety of the project.

Once compliant, our trained technicians will advise on certification, maintenance and offer the ability to review your reports of thorough examination online.

Industry Expert Knowledge
We also have a team of industry experts who possess in-depth knowledge and experience in handling lifting equipment to guarantee that customers receive reliable equipment, valuable guidance and support when utilising the equipment.

What further steps can your business take to ensure safety when lifting?

Have you or your business opted to purchase lifting equipment, rather than hiring? If so, here’s a few further steps that your business can take to ensure that all equipment remains in the safest possible condition, adopting best practice wherever possible.

Inspect your equipment regularly
If you opt to purchase lifting equipment rather than rent, then you must ensure that your business is compliant by carrying out regular inspections of all equipment. During the inspection stage, Sunbelt’s trained lifting technicians would complete a thorough examination checking for any visible signs of wear and tear and ensuring that all equipment is free from corrosion or damage and is fit for purpose. After visually inspecting the equipment, the technician would carry out a functional inspection, testing all functions to ensure that they’re operating correctly.

Keep records of documentation
When purchasing equipment, ensure to maintain records of any inspections that have taken place: including the date, who conducted the inspection, any concerns that arose during the inspection, and how these were resolved. By doing so, you’re able to clearly trace your equipment’s history, which will be beneficial to both your own company for identifying and predicating future issues, and for transparency to future owners should you wish to sell the equipment further down the line.

Choose the right equipment for the job
When dealing with lifting equipment, it is essential that you choose the right piece of equipment for the job. There are a few things to consider whilst doing this. Firstly, it is important to be aware of the capacity of your equipment: ensure to check the maximum capacity (this is commonly found in the equipment) and take care to not exceed this, endangering the safety of the task at hand.

You must also determine the weight of the load ahead of carrying out any lifting, and take care to evenly distribute the load, monitoring it during the lifting process.  

Sufficiently train your employees
Formal training is imperative for ensuring the safe use of lifting equipment within your business. Offering comprehensive employee training will work to avert accidents and provide a secure working environment.

Here are some fundamental points to consider when training employees to use lifting equipment.

Provide in-depth training, which encompasses your equipment’s potential, limitations, and any risks or threats. Such training should also demonstrate how to accurately operate, inspect, and maintain the equipment and offer guidance on how employees should react to any potential issues, and which course of action to take. Ensure that all employees have received the most up to date information by offering refresher training courses, and actively encourage employees to undertake lifting certifications or qualifications. The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association offer a range of training courses, from courses aimed at beginners’ level, to more advanced programmes and diplomas, which focus on the inspection and thorough examination of lifting equipment. Through promoting continuous learning, you’re both boosting employee knowledge on lifting safety precautions and best practices, whilst simultaneously fostering a culture which drives awareness and improvement.

However, training doesn’t only come in the form of courses and qualifications. Hands on experience is also invaluable – this can encompass practical, hands-on training where employees can practice using the equipment under supervision, enabling them to grow in confidence before using the equipment in real-world situations. 

Familiarise yourself with industry regulations
Lastly, be clear on the laws around the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) and the requirements of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER).

Such regulations ensure that businesses who own or operate lifting equipment are complying with safety regulations and are aware that the duty of the safety of the lifting equipment lays with them. In the majority of cases, lifting equipment is also used as work equipment, meaning that the two regulations intersect.

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 also states that all lifting operations involving lifting equipment must be properly planned, appropriately supervised, and carried out in a safe manner. Familiarising yourself and your employees with these regulations will work to ensure compliance in the long run.

By elevating methods of how to safely operate lifting equipment, we hope to help you and your business take the right steps towards achieving the highest level of safety and compliance within your lifting division.