04.12.2015

PASMA and HAE forge closer links

UK based associations PASMA and Hire Association Europe (HAE), have signed a co-operation agreement.

The agreement between PASMA, the mobile access tower association and the HAE which represents many general and tool rental companies in the UK and Ireland, formalises an existing working relationship and aims to harmonise the minimum quality standards that each organisation sets for its rental members.

The HAE has its ‘SafeHire’ standard which sets out minimum service and safety standards which are then audited for compliance. Ultimately, PASMA will recognise HAE member’s compliance with the extended SafeHire standard as ‘de facto’ conformance with the PASMA rental standard.
The memorandum also calls for closer cooperation through the sharing and exchanging of information.

PASMA managing director, Peter Bennett said: “This is a natural and logical extension of a long standing relationship with the HAE. Promoting excellence is a common theme of both organisations”

HAE managing director, Graham Arundell added: “This development is good for towers and good for the hire industry. There are many companies who are members of both organisations, and any initiative that seeks to raise and then standardise levels of service, performance and safety can only be a good thing. Everyone at the HAE looks forward to developing closer links with PASMA in the months ahead.”

Vertikal Comment

This makes very good sense and should save many companies a good deal of time and expense, while raising current standards. Given that the vast majority of general rental and tool hire companies offer mobile scaffold towers and low level non powered access it makes sense that the HAE incorporates the specific standards established by PASMA into its more general and far reaching rental standard.

We seem to be seeing a blossoming of inter association and standards co-operation rather than the previous trend for more associations and competing or overlapping standards. We need to see more of this nascent tend towards mutually recognisable standards, not only on a national level but globally.

It is better for members, should be better for end users and encourages high standards everywhere. A more widely accepted standard and quality level is always going to be stronger than a plethora of ‘competing ‘ standards and helps squeeze out the corner cutters and charlatans, while raising the professionalism of the industry.