Health & Safety

Speedy Hire Plc is the UK's leading tool and equipment hire company. We employ 4500 people and serve more than 100,000 customers including most of the UK's major construction companies    

As you would expect we take our corporate responsibilities extremely seriously and are proud to have been voted No1 for ethics in the Observer 'Good Company Guide' in 2007 and for the clarity of our corporate communications. Safety lies at the heart of our organisation. It pervades all aspects of our business from the care we take of our employees, to the standards we demand of our suppliers and of ourselves, as we work with our customers and their customers. Our formal Safety Policy Statement appears below but it is our ongoing safety initiatives that we believe sets us apart and has contributed to our winning of over 18 industry awards since 2006. These include the DTI Business in the Community Award for Responsible Marketing, the Orange National Business Award for Marketing Strategy 2007, HAE Best Contribution to Safety 2006 & 2007, and the B2B 'Best Customer Relationship'Campaign.    

1. Communication - Safety from the Ground Up

Safety from the Ground Up is a unique and multi-award winning communication programme aimed principally at site operatives. The campaigns are  designed to promote safe working practice on-site by increasing awareness and understanding. Eye catching communication material is supplied to customers free of charge and includes posters, brochures and toolbox presentations. In the course of the 3 year programme we have trained 1250 of our own staff and presented to over 150,000 site workers on issues including Work at Height, HAV, Dust Control and Manual Handling. We also work closely with the HSE and organisations like Back Care and OPERC with whom we worked closely to promote the measurement of 'real life' data to accurately assess the risks of exposure to tool vibration.    

2. Internal training

All customer facing Speedy employees receive training on product selection and usage, risk assessment and safety procedures. We have established our own training academy operating from various locations across the country to satisfy our ever-increasing training demands.    

3. External training    

Our training department run numerous courses including:
PASMA erection and inspection of scaffold towers

  • Abrasive and Diamond Wheels
  • Health and Safety Awareness        
  • Work at Height Awareness        
  • Banksman Signaller        
  • Confined Space        
  • Harness Training        
  • Cable Detection (CAT and Genny)        
  • Safe use of ladders & steps Toolbox talks are available on a wide range of subjects including Work at Height, HAV, Dust Control and Manual Handling.    

4. Joint safety initiatives

We have been closely involved with the HSE and other Government agencies as well as various main contractors and the Federation of Master Builders in organising and delivering SHADS (Safety and Health Awareness Days). The aim of these events is to promote safety and health to the smaller builder and sub contractor in various key topics such as: Manual Handling, Work at Height, HAV, Dust, Noise and Vehicle Safety.    

5. Product development and purchasing

We work closely with our supply chain to source and develop optimal products like low vibration tools,dust extraction equipment and low energy lighting. A full range of PPE equipment is available at all depots.    

6. Testing and inspection

All Speedy equipment is serviced regularly and maintained to ensure the highest standards of safety and efficiency.Copies of safety inspection test tickets are provided with all itemised plant.        

"Speedy Hire's communications initiatives are excellent examples of how tool and equipment hire companies can actively improve the Health and Safety of those employed in construction"
Lord Hunt –Minister for Health and Safety 2005-2007      

Health & Safety Policy Statement    

The company:           

  • is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of the employees as far as is reasonably practical.        
  • extends that same commitment to those personnel who are not employed by the company who may be affected by our acts or omissions.        
  • requires the commitment to health and safety from all employees for the successful implementation of the policy.        
  • will ensure to provide and maintain healthy and safe working conditions and a suitable environment for all personnel involved in its activities.        
  • will appoint competent personnel to assist in meeting our statutory duties.        
  • employees will be given such information, instructions and training as is necessary to enable work activities to be undertaken giving due consideration to health and safety.        
  • will ensure all customers will be offered such information and instructions to enable safe operation of hired equipment and, where applicable, training will be arranged.        
  • will ensure that all equipment provided for hire is inspected, maintained, tested and fit for purpose.        

"I think the graphic themes and messages are pitched at just the right level to attract the attention of managers, supervisors and operatives and therefore increase their awareness of the risks and what to do about them."
Brian Coles: HSE, Senior Vibration Policy Advisor

HSE Link