15.03.2013
Highly accredited
An increasing number of UK access rental companies are gaining contractor safety and quality accreditations.
Just a year or two ago a rental company gaining a UK third-party safety and quality accreditation, following a detailed audit, was big news. While still the exception, rather than the rule, rarely a month goes by that does not bring in news in of several companies gaining or retaining accreditation either through the Achilles or SafeContractor programmes.
This week alone AFI, the first powered access company to gain the Achilles ‘BuildingConfidence’ accreditation back in 2008, has retained its 5 Star Achilles rating for the second year running. The five star rating is given to those companies who comply with all aspects of the certification for two or more consecutive years.
At the other end of the spectrum Bristol based Cela dealer and service company Euraccess has gained Achilles accreditation for the second year running.
Chris Wills of Euraccess said: “It shows we are committed and compliant to Health and Safety, quality and environmental issues in all aspects of our work and for a small company it also demonstrates that we can be competitive against larger organisations as we diversify into other avenues of work.”
Speaking of AFI’s achievement, the company’s health & safety manager Brian Parker said: “Gaining the top five star rating for the second year in a row is a fantastic achievement and to have passed our reassessment for the BuildingConfidence accreditation for the sixth year running is a testament to all who work at AFI. Only a small proportion of ‘BuildingConfidence’ accredited companies gain the 5 star rating and we are very proud to be one of them.”
Vertikal Comment
We are delighted to be reporting on these accreditations which, along with the increasing number of companies qualifying for IPAF Rental +, indicates the increasing professionalism and attention to safety in the UK powered access rental market. However it is beginning to reach the point where such announcements are not so newsworthy any more.
Sadly in a way as the awarding of a serious accreditation is a positive story among many which are not so.
The question is – do we carry on reporting on every Achilles and SafeContractor accreditation - and especially renewals - as more companies achieve and retain them?
We would welcome your views on this, in the meantime a big congratulations to both AFI and Euraccess for their achievments.
Sherm
I have done unmeasured hundreds of hours work as an arborist in an aerial lift since 2001. First in a partner's Work Force 40' telescoping platform and then I bought a Niftylift TM40. My career started in 1992 and I climbed for seven years until I fell 7 meters or 20' in 1999 and broke a hip. By my experience and blessings to carry on with the profession, I suggest you carry on reporting acreditations and give their testimonials about features and benefits. There is everything to gain and nothing to lose by spreading the concern for safe work practices and sound risk management.
vertikal editor
The following comment was sent to us via email:
Dear Vertikal,
In response to your question in the article ‘Highly accredited’ posted on your news
page March 15 2013, I personally believe it would be the right choice to carry on reporting on individual companies’ achievements concerning successful accreditation.
Vertikal.net is the leading source of industry news updates and the fact so many companies are now setting aside the time and making the effort to gain accreditation could be a direct result of regularly reporting on news that is unfortunately negative.
Maybe overtime, letters sent in of new accreditations or renewals might prove easier
to collectively compile together. However, if the trend for accreditation continues and this can be proved to have a positive impact on safe working practices, then maybe, just maybe, we can hope that this will be the only substantial news left to report on!
Keep up the good work
Alan Howes
Alpha Powered Access Operator Services