It’s not uncommon for a company to choose to rent construction equipment rather than purchasing it outright. When it comes to a business that relies on different types of projects to get a job completed, sometimes it’s just not feasible to purchase all of the equipment needed to get the job done. In addition to this, you’ll also want to consider general storage as well as the maintenance and upkeep of the equipment you require.
It can certainly be challenging to find quality services provided by companies without being aware of the factors that go into the process of plant hire. With this in mind, here are a few key things to consider when you plan to rent a crane.
What is CPA Crane Hire?
In accordance with the standard terms set down by the CPA (Construction Plant-Hire Association) and adhered to by the majority of operators within the construction industry, in summary, crane hire goes something like this:
If you are planning a lift, the common route many building companies choose to take is to hire a crane and operator to support your project and abide to your instructions on the site. This means that you handle the prior planning of the lift, you will select a suitable model of crane and be responsible for the arranging slinging and signalling throughout the lift. You are also responsible for supervising the lifting it throughout the operation. This means you will need to have a competent and legally trained Appointed Person to oversee the process.
Is the rental company within the vicinity of the project site?
Take into consideration that you are not just covering the cost of the equipment you rent, you will in some cases need to cover the cost of transport which will be in the contract you sign. If you have any queries of uncertainty about this it’s always worth sharing these with your provider.
Is the equipment recent and functioning?
Renting is, without doubt, a much cheaper alternative to buying plant hire; with this in mind, it’s not advisable to rent equipment that’s already seen a great deal of wear and tear. The last thing you want is any equipment breaking half-way through a project, this results in stalling progress and perhaps accumulating extra charges. Always query beforehand with the hire company that the equipment is fully up to date.
Is the equipment available for when you need it?
Always consult the hire company about availability prior to making any solid plans; you don’t want to be in a situation where you are unable to use the specific equipment you need on the day that you need it.
Does the company handle their own maintenance?
It goes without saying that maintenance is one of the most important factors of heavy machinery. If you don’t have a member of your team who is specifically trained in maintenance, extra charges could incur due to poorly maintained equipment could very well tank the project.
Gage the size
Before you can lift anything, you’ll have to take some time to measure the load and determine its weight. The crane used to lift the load needs to have adequate capacity and be able to handle the capacity of the load without affecting the stability of the machine. If the load is too heavy, you may find that it is too difficult to move from side to side or front to back without the crane rocking.
Why is it so popular?
Once you’ve considered all these factors and its been spelled out like this, you may question, why is CPA Crane hire is such a popular option? It certainly suits the plant hire companies as it creates a more equal balance of responsibility on both them and the building company. In another way, it allows plant hire companies to give customers a price advantage for this kind of contract.
Crane hire cost
Crane hire contracts are easier to arrange and have fewer upfront costs. However, the customer inevitably undertakes more financial responsibility in real terms, as they need to make sure the plant is insured, well looked after and supervised while it is on site.
The cost of crane hire is dependent on various factors, the cost will be directly dependent upon the type and size of the crane, the number of days you need to hire the crane and if any additional equipment is needed for the lift. You may find that some companies add the crane hire fee on to your bill which would account for the distance and time it takes to get your crane delivered to the job site.
Before hiring a crane, a specialist from the hire company should visit your site and make an assessment of the conditions of the site and understand the job that needs to be completed. The specialist will then advise you on which crane will be best to use for your specific job. They will then create a contract with you that should detail all of the crane hire costs involved. It is crucial that you go into as much detail as possible during this initial meeting. This will make sure that the appropriate crane will be used.
Health and safety
Since 2001, accidents involving tower cranes have resulted in 25 serious injuries and 9 fatalities. This illustrates that, if you use cranes and other lifting equipment within the workplace, being aware of the hazards and knowing what steps you can take to reduce risk is essential to ensuring safety. Here we have collated some of the most crucial safety factors to consider for you crane hire:
Ensure employees are appropriately trained
As an employer, you have a legal responsibility to provide appropriate health and safety training to all your employees so they’re able to safely carry out their jobs. By training your employees you’ll increase workplace safety, satisfaction and profits as you reduce injuries, and fatalities, this is also certainly applicable when large scale machinery such as cranes are being used.
Ensure employees know they must not stand under loads and ensure operators never lift a load over an employee
Under no circumstances stand beneath a crane or allow a crane to lift over you. It’s essential your employees are aware of this and avoid walking through any zones where cranes are overhead.
Know, understand and comply with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)
Carry out regular maintenance and routine repairs of all on-site equipment at appropriate intervals. It is a part of your legal responsibility under LOLER which involves carrying out routine, periodic maintenance and repairs to make sure your machinery is in safe working order.
Ensure a supervisor is present on site at all times when cranes are in operation
Ensure employees are aware of, and strictly enforced, your load and lifting limits, in addition to this; make sure there are clear warning signals are displayed on-site when needed. You need to display the necessary hazard signs in all unsafe zones on-site to warn your employees of the potential health and safety risks. You must also ensure all your employees know and understand the warning signs so they are aware of when they are entering an unsafe zone.
Select appropriate PPE for all employees
You must make sure that your employees wear appropriate foot, head and eye protection, along with any other PPE you have identified in the risk assessment you’ve carried out.
Properly safety-plan all jobs before starting work
You must also have a clear understanding of who’s in charge of pre-job safety planning before any cranes arrive on-site.
Armquest Industrial Services: crane contractors based in Manchester providing professional crane hire
Here at Armquest Industrial Services founded in 1989, we provide specialise in a wider range of industrial services, including crane lifting services, crane rental, plant lift & shift services and controlled plant dismantling. If you are searching for a ‘crane hire company near me’ and for high-range, comprehensive industrial services across Manchester and North-West England, get in touch Armquest Industrial Services today and get a free quote. Our friendly team will be happy to answer your questions and tell you more about how we can help. Our proven track record will give you peace of mind that your lifting job is in good hands.