Blog; The Importance of Environmental, Social and Governance Alignment with Health and Safety in the Hire Industry

Sustainability and health and safety in hire go hand in hand. Increasingly, clients and contractors are looking for transparency and accountability throughout their supply chains. In fact, over half of UK contractors now prioritise suppliers who help them meet their own environmental targets – by offering low-emission machinery, energy-efficient tools, and more sustainable practices.

In this context, the hire industry plays a vital role. We’re uniquely positioned to make a measurable difference by reducing waste, promoting efficient use of resources, and maintaining safe, well-managed operations. By protecting people and managing risk, we already embody many of the principles ESG promotes. The challenge now is to show this clearly through structured, meaningful arrangements and/or reporting.

For hire businesses, especially those supplying plant and equipment, a strong ESG commitment is more than a box-ticking exercise – it’s a powerful way to build reputation and trust. Customers want to know they’re working with companies that act responsibly and operate safely.

Being transparent about operations sends a strong message of professionalism and care. It builds loyalty and can even increase a customer’s willingness to pay for sustainable, ethically managed services.

There’s also a clear link between ESG and talent attraction. More and more, people want to work for companies whose values align with their own. When a hire business can show that it invests in training, prioritises safety, minimises environmental impact, and contributes positively to the community, it naturally becomes an employer of choice.

Strong ESG reporting also improves risk management and resilience. By addressing potential risks, from environmental impacts to regulatory changes, early and proactively, businesses reduce the chance of costly incidents or reputational damage.

And let’s not forget the commercial benefits. ESG isn’t just good ethics; it’s good business. Cleaner, more efficient equipment, smarter logistics, and reduced waste all drive down costs and improve performance. On top of that, investors and lenders increasingly look at ESG data when assessing long-term stability. For smaller and medium-sized hire businesses, demonstrating strong ESG credentials can make it easier to access capital and secure better finance terms.

It’s easy to assume ESG is only for large corporations, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up the majority of our industry, and 99.8% of all private businesses in the UK.

Increasingly more major contractors and public sector clients expect suppliers of every size to evidence their ESG commitments. That means smaller hire businesses must show how they’re managing their social, environmental, and governance responsibilities too.

Locally, ESG also helps build stronger community connections. Supporting local projects, employing local people, and engaging in volunteering not only strengthens reputation but also shows that a business is invested in the place it operates.

Most importantly, preparing for ESG reporting now future-proofs your business. Regulation is expanding, and even smaller companies will soon need to demonstrate how they manage their impact on people and the planet.

Health, Safety, and Welfare in hire sit at the very core of ESG success. At HAE EHA, we help hire companies across the UK and Ireland strengthen their operations and meet their ESG goals, and health, safety and welfare are always the starting point.

Through our SafeHire Certification Scheme, we provide independent auditing and guidance to help businesses meet a high standard of safety, quality, and sustainability. SafeHire was developed specifically for the hire industry, with the assistance of the British Standards Institute (BSi) and with the support of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The certification framework covers seven key pillars:

Together, these create a holistic standard that reflects what ESG is all about – caring for people, protecting the environment, and ensuring transparency in governance.

SafeHire certification gives customers the confidence that they’re hiring from a business that has been professionally audited and is committed to continuous improvement. It helps hire companies stand out from non-certified competitors, meet regulatory requirements, and enhance their sustainability credentials.

From waste management and emissions reduction to training and wellbeing, SafeHire ensures companies are not only improving their environmental footprint but also protecting their workers and the public from harm.

Taking responsibility for health and safety in hire is the first step in building a resilient, future-ready hire business. It’s the foundation upon which strong ESG performance is built.

As expectations continue to evolve, the companies that integrate safety into their ESG approach will be the ones leading the way – protecting people, earning trust, and driving the hire industry toward a more sustainable future.

Book an online meeting and discover how your business can elevate its ESG with SafeHire today.