GAP Hire Solutions has over 145 locations strategically placed across the UK, with 11 divisions offering a wide range of hire equipment and services. Traditionally known for plant and tool hire, GAP moved into hiring non-mechanical plant, such as fencing and barriers in 2009 and established their Lifting Hire & Sales division in 2011. In 2014, GAP diversified further and launched their Welfare Services, Event Services, Survey & Safety Hire and Vehicle Hire divisions. 2019 saw the creation of its Trenching & Shoring division, with the tenth division, Tanker Services, being launched in early 2020 to offer their customers a complete hire solution under the one GAP ‘umbrella’. GAP’s operations are serviced by a fleet of over 700 commercial vehicles.
GAP Group is wholly committed to health, safety, quality and the environment and is proud of having gained the following certifications:
- ISO9001 Quality Management
- ISO45001 Occupational Health & Safety Management
ISO14001 Environmental Management - FORS Silver (working towards Gold)
- Safe Contractor
- Avetta
- Achilles UVDB/ FPAL/ Building in Confidence
- RoSPA Gold Members
- CHAS Premium Plus
- Constructionline Gold
- RISQS
- CLOCS Champion
- Supply Chain Sustainability School (Gold)
In addition, GAP is a member of Logistics UK (formerly FTA), the Construction Plant Association (CPA), Portable Sanitation Europe (PSE), LEEA, and PASMA.
GAP Group has been FORS accredited since 2014, initially achieving Bronze accreditation before progressing to Silver accreditation in
2016, at which time we achieved Whole Fleet Accreditation (now Internal Audit Fleet Accreditation, IAFA).
GAP Group first heard about FORS through our customers in the London area. Recognising the various benefits of gaining FORS accreditation GAP applied, passing its initial Bronze audit first time round, an achievement we were able to replicate when completing the natural progression to Silver.
FORS Silver accreditation has helped GAP gain a competitive edge over those plant and equipment hirers who do not hold such an accreditation – it allows GAP to bid for contracts with customers where FORS accreditation is a prerequisite. Furthermore, it has helped GAP focus on and put in place policies and procedures that ensure compliance with all aspects of Transport Law. Given the obvious benefits to GAP, we are now working towards Gold certification.
GAP Regional Transport Managers have taken advantage of the various FORS Practitioner workshops to ensure they remain up to date with the latest developments, gaining crucial knowledge which assists with the detailed Transport Management audits carried out on GAP’s fleet of commercial vehicles.
GAP drivers have also taken advantage of the various training courses and options that FORS offers. All GAP commercial vehicle drivers complete a range of FORS e-learning modules including Cycle Safety, Security and Counter Terrorism, and LoCITY Driving: Time to Clean Up. In addition, all the drivers also complete ‘in person’ training including Safe Urban Driving and LoCITY Driving. This training, which is included in the overall detailed induction and training development plans for commercial drivers, arranged by GAP’s dedicated in-house Learning & Development team, helps GAP ensure that its drivers’ knowledge and working practices are kept fully updated.
Just as GAP invests in its staff, it does so in its large fleet of vehicles. All GAP HGVs are fitted with state of the art safety equipment including cameras, nearside proximity aids and audible reversing alarms. In this regard, FORS has been a huge help in standardising vehicle safety equipment across the UK.
Furthermore, in addition to a growing fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles, GAP only purchases vehicles which are fitted with the latest Euro VI diesel engines, thus driving a reduction in CO2, NOx and Particulate Matter emissions wherever possible. To further enhance and accelerate this reduction, GAP has invested in an industry leading asset delivery and telematics system which monitors driver behaviours and includes route planning to minimise ‘unnecessary miles’ and fuel usage. Indeed, the system is entirely paper-free, thus further enhancing GAP’s green credentials.
*based on Km per litre **based on No of PCNs per 100,000 Km travelled
All new GAP drivers complete a health and safety declaration and eyesight test which is repeated every 6 months. In addition, GAP conducts regular briefings and toolbox talks on relevant health and fitness issues. GAP actively promotes staff wellbeing with a particular focus on mental health, through the introduction of a unique wellbeing hub to which all staff have confidential access. Random D&A tests are carried out across our network of depots.
As is common across all industries GAP is acutely aware of the difficulties of recruiting and retaining Commercial Vehicle Drivers. To help combat this GAPs dedicated recruitment team have introduced financial incentives and a Driver Recruitment and Training Programme which aims to recruit internally and upskill existing staff where possible. This has the added benefit of the drivers, once trained and qualified, also having GAP’s safety values and culture already ingrained.
GAP carries out its own in-house noise assessments using the FORS recommended template. Our Drivers Behaviour Code of Conduct forms part of GAPs Commercial Vehicle Handbook. All driving and crane-lift operations have been assessed using equipment recommended on FORS Practitioner courses and are within acceptable tolerable levels. GAP actively aims to reduce noise where possible through the introduction of white noise reversing alarms, super silent pressure washers for washing vehicles and plant and local restrictions on aspects such as the hours during which loading and unloading of vehicles can take place and the use of vehicle horns.
Given the nature of GAPs operations it is not realistic or feasible to use alternative transport modes such as trains or buses. Therefore, GAP is actively reviewing its existing fleet and introducing hybrid/electric vehicles where possible. GAP has several cars on fleet and a number of full EV vans on trial. Furthermore, GAP have fitted commercial vehicles with tracking systems that provide telematics data on utilisation, driver behaviour and carbon emissions. This allows us to monitor efficient vehicle use. Most of our fleet is now Euro 6 for emissions.
GAP’s ongoing and significant investment in its staff and fleet of commercial vehicles have helped with its target of reducing the number of accidents/ incidents involving its commercial vehicles and the number of PCNs received. Route planning, scheduling and training all contribute towards achieving this goal.
GAP is proud of its FORS Silver accreditation and is working tirelessly towards Gold. To that end, GAP is to ensure that any contractors which support us will agree to be minimum FORS Bronze accredited moving forwards, which can be monitored through GAP’s robust supplier verification scheme.
GAP is proud that its vehicles display the FORS Silver logo on their bodywork. Similarly, FORS is actively promoted through our regular monthly e-magazine, the GAP Gazette, across our social media channels and features on GAP letterhead stationery.
Follow GAP Group on the social media platforms details below:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/gap-group-limited
https://twitter.com/GAPGroupHire
https://www.facebook.com/GAPGroupCareers/
https://www.instagram.com/gapgrouphire/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0_aOP_KLwznKEW78Co_7zA