HAE recognises Common Assessment Standard

Hire Association Europe (HAE), the industry body for rental companies operating in the construction equipment sector, has announced that it now recognises the Common Assessment Standard.

Left to right: Neil Bravery, Chair of the Main Board at Hire Association Europe, Suzannah Nichol MBE, Chief Executive at Build UK, Paul Gaze, CEO at Hire Association Europe. (Photo: HAE)

The organisation recently signed an agreement to adopt the standard with the UK’s workers union Build UK, which co-developed the scheme.

The Common Assessment Standard is an accreditation programme that pre-qualifies construction sector businesses for project procurement contracts, by helping them to “reduce risks” across different business areas.  

Recognition of the accreditation means that HAE members with the Common Assessment Standard certification will be exempt from completing the similar sections of the SafeHire Certification scheme - a private standard assessment.

These are thought to include safety, health and environmental sections of the SafeHire Certification, which also covers quality, service, workforce training and hiring procedures.

Carl Bartlett, HAE Director of Certification Services, said, “I am delighted that HAE has joined other leading Build UK Trade Associations in accepting the Common Assessment Standard as part of our audit scheme.

“This means HAE members certified to the Common Assessment Standard are exempt from completing sections of SafeHire, reducing duplication and supporting members to gain recognition for continual improvement and raising standards across the industry.”

HAE is among a growing number of associations to incorporate the standard. IPAF (the International Powered Access Federation), Balfour Beatty, Bouygues UK, Keltbray, Kier and Costain are also among the construction leaders that use the scheme.

The Common Assessment Standard proves that companies have implemented key operational, safety and business management processes and procedures across a total of 13 areas of risk - including anti-bribery and corruption, information safeguarding, equal opportunities and financial management.

Jo Fautley, Deputy Chief Executive of Build UK, said, “The Common Assessment Standard continues to go from strength to strength and we are delighted that HAE has become the latest Build UK Trade Association to accept it as part of its membership audit scheme.

“With a growing list of major contractors and clients now specifying the Common Assessment Standard for their pre-qualification requirements, HAE members will benefit from a reduction in duplication and cost, which is more important than ever in the current market.”