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Rabbit and Dowling Joins the Construction Plant-hire Association

Rabbit and Dowling Joins the Construction Plant-hire Association

Rabbit and Dowling, Rabbit Group’s plant hire division, has recently become a member of the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA), which means that, along with our other certifications, we have committed ourselves to maintaining the highest standards in plant hire. We know how important it is to adhere to the very strict health and safety regulations imposed on the construction industry so we strive to ensure that our plant hire services make keeping to those regulations as easy as possible.

What is the CPA?

The CPA is a trade association within the construction industry, providing vital information and support for businesses on issues such as:

  • Employee health and safety
  • Machinery standards and emissions control
  • Public safety and road transport
  • Skills and employment

Established for over 75 years, the Association has roughly 1,600 members ranging from very large plant hire companies to single machine owner-operators. CPA members supply over 85% of the hired plant to the UK construction industry. Their special interest groups have been instrumental in creating British and European standards on the safe working and condition of plant machinery, such as mobile cranes, hoists and elevating work platforms.

Working closely with government bodies and the Health and Safety Executive, the CPA has worked on and led initiatives like the Strategic Forum for Construction Plant Safety Group, which produces publications and runs projects, such as Tower Crane Safety, Fitness for Task, Competence of Plant Operators and Overhead Crushing in MEWPs. In addition, the CPA has been heavily involved in developing training schemes and competence testing through the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS). Extensive connections across the industry mean they can advise on a wide variety of concerns across the construction industry.

What does the CPA do for businesses?

The CPA helps businesses by providing model conditions for plant hire agreements that are beneficial for both parties to clarify their responsibilities, to reduce confusion and adhere with health and safety regulations. In addition, they provide companies with links to insurance, financial and other support services, including 30 Best Practice Guides and 60 Technical Information Notes on the maintenance and safe use of mobile cranes, tower cranes, construction hoists and shoring technology.

What does being a CPA member mean for Rabbit and Dowling?

Since becoming members of the CPA, Rabbit and Dowling has benefited from additional safety on site information and insurance cover. We have also found it useful as some construction companies will only hire plant from companies who are members and others prefer to use CPA members because they know that the plant being delivered will match site health and safety requirements.

Find out how working with Rabbit Group could provide the best plant hire service for you – contact us on 01903 762020 or info@rabbitgroup.co.uk