‘Brilliant solution’ improves workflow for equipment hire firm

This post was last updated on May 31st, 2022 at 10:38 pm

Hire Station Ltd – one of the UK’s leading hire specialists and part of the Vp plc group – offers 20,000 pieces of lifting and material handling equipment from over 200 locations across the UK. It needed a way to ensure all items had been inspected in line with LOLER AND PUWER rules and replace its existing paper-based records system.

The company also had to ensure that no equipment was hired out when it was due for inspection – so equipment had to be inspected and documentation completed before its next due date. CoreRFID worked with the company to develop a bespoke examination platform based on its CheckedOK system.

LOLER and PUWER: making best practice easy

The LOLER (Lifting Operation Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) and PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) specify that all lifting equipment and accessories used for work purposes must be subject to regular inspections and accurate records kept. Using paper-based record systems can be unwieldy and time-consuming.

CheckedOK – the world’s leading lifting and safety inspection system – enables companies to easily collect and access inspection data using handheld or mobile devices. It reduces the risk of accidents, helps save costs and improve accuracy and efficiency.

Faster and more accurate inspections

Vp Hire Station worked with CoreRFID to develop a bespoke examination platform based on its established CheckedOK system. The solution replaced the paper-based system. Using tablets on site, CheckedOK reads tags on the assets, enabling them to be accurately identified. All parts and equipment have their own unique ID, which makes it easy to identify issues associated with all assets and keep on top of necessary workflow via the database.

The new system has delivered a smoother workflow and more accurate and quicker inspections. Manual recording of inspections has been eliminated, allowing more inspections to be completed in the same time by the same number of examiners.

Updating and expanding the system

Vp Hire Station and CoreRFID regularly review the CheckedOK system for improvements and how it can be adapted to meet new challenges. Every 6 months or so new bespoke adaptations are rolled out.

CoreRFID is now helping to integrate Brandon Hire, another division of Vp, and Hire Station systems into one CheckedOK solution which can be used across the company.