Insurance and Liability When Hiring Access Equipment

Whether it’s boom lifts, tracked booms or scissor lifts, we have been offering businesses essential machinery for over 20 years, saving them the cost of purchasing expensive equipment outright. While we are proud to provide machinery that allows you to work safely at height, we also want to remind customers that working at height carries inherent risks. These inherent risks include falls from height, equipment damage, and the potential for injury to operators or third parties. Without the correct insurance in place, your business could face serious legal and financial consequences.

Throughout this blog, we will explore how cover and compliance not only protect people on site but also safeguard your business against avoidable risks.

What Insurance is Required When Hiring Access Equipment?

When hiring equipment for your site, it’s important that you understand the types of insurance typically required to protect both your business and the hire company.

• MEWP/Plant Hire Insurance: MEWP hire insurance specifically covers Mobile Elevating Work Platforms such as scissor lifts, boom lifts, and other access machinery. This cover protects you from the costs of repairing or replacing the equipment if it is damaged, stolen or lost whilst on site.
• Employer Liability Insurance: Employer’s liability is a legal requirement for all businesses with employees, including those hiring or using access equipment. This policy protects you against any claims arising from illness or injury sustained by employees while using hired equipment. If you fail to comply with this, then you can expect significant daily fines and other consequences.
• Public liability insurance: This covers damage or injury caused to members of the public or their property during the use of hired equipment. If your hired equipment damages a nearby structure or injures a member of the public, then the insurance would cover the legal costs and compensation.

Who is Responsible During a Hire?

At Elavation, we take responsibility for ensuring that the machinery we provide for hire is well-maintained and safe to use. We provide accurate documentation and safety guidance for all equipment, so hirers feel confident that it is safe. However, once the equipment is hired and taken to your site, you become responsible for it.

Under Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), you must comply with all regulations and safety guidance to ensure the correct use of the equipment. This includes having competent operators who are adequately trained for the specific type of equipment provided. Proper planning and supervision must be in place for all employees using access equipment to minimise liability and ensure safe operation.

Liability: What Happens If An Incident Occurs?

Even with the safest equipment and trained operators, accidents can still happen. It’s important to understand access equipment liability when hiring machinery, as this determines who is responsible and how the costs are covered.

• Damage to Equipment
  If hired MEWP or other access equipment is damaged on your site, you may be liable for repairs or replacement costs. To avoid unexpected fees, you must have MEWP rental coverage that protects your business.
• Injury to Employees or the Public
  Liability depends on who is responsible for safe operation. Ensuring your operators have proper training and follow safety guidelines helps reduce this risk. Public liability insurance and MEWP hiring insurance can also cover legal claims or medical expenses.

Hiring access equipment doesn’t have to be daunting. By following our guidance and adhering to the safety regulations provided to hirers, you can ensure that your business avoids legal or financial risks. Using trusted providers such as Elavation means that you receive well-maintained equipment, expert guidance, and peace of mind throughout the hiring process.

Want to learn more about the hiring process? Check out our hiring page or contact us for more details.