Rental companies rent out a large amount of various types of equipment. Industrial and construction equipment can be large and pose many hazards if not used properly. For customers to get the best experience, the rental company must educate them properly.
Some common mistakes occur when operating and using compact lift equipment and therefore, safe practices need to be taught. First-time users often assume they know what they are doing and put themselves and others at risk. New features and equipment are always coming out so it's important to go over new information even with the most experienced customer. Ensuring that customers understand the equipment they are renting out will increase the likelihood of customers using safe practices when operating equipment.
Hazards with Compact Lifting Equipment
The category of compact lifting equipment hosts a variety of different types of machines, but all of them can be hazardous. For rental companies to know what to focus on when educating customers on equipment, they must know what poses the biggest hazards. 
MEC
Untrained Operators
When equipment is being rented, operators are more likely to be less knowledgeable about the machine.
“As with all lifting equipment, whether it be a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) or compact telehandler, a known hazard is operation by untrained individuals,” said Scott Owyen, director of training in North America at Genie.
Rental companies need to help educate their customers on the dangers of improper equipment usage. If rental companies are unable to share important training information themselves, then they should advise customers to train their employees on the machines.
“No person should ever be allowed to operate any lifting equipment without first being properly trained by a qualified person and familiarized with the specific machine prior to operation,” said Owyen.
Improper Gear
When operating heavy machinery, it’s vital that operators wear the correct safety gear. If they fail to do so, they are much more likely to sustain injury. 
Genie
“Workers not wearing the proper safety gear, like a harness. Lifts (even compact) rise high enough to cause potential damage to a worker if they are ejected from the basket. This typically happens, when a worker isn’t wearing a harness and hits a pothole or uneven ground,” Paige Warrington, reconstruction project coordinator at ASAP Restoration.
Selecting the Correct Machine
If a customer is not very well versed in equipment, they might not know what machine is best for their needs.
“I'd say one hazard is the selector choosing the right machine. All too often, people using the machine don't spend enough time to understand just what it needs to do. And therefore they, in some cases, don't select the right machine for the job,” said Gary Crook vice president of engineering at MEC.
To help avoid this issue, rental companies need to discuss with their customers and see what they are using the machine for. In the case that there is something better suited for the customer, it is the rental company’s job to advise them on a superior option.
Knowing the Rental Equipment
For customers to thrive, rental workers need to know what advancements are available and how they could help each customer. Some companies will focus on a common problem or complaint and will work to fix that in their product. 
MEC
Rental companies need to educate customers on not only the best practices of using equipment but also the different features and options out there to increase safety. Customers should be educated on the dangers of not properly using the machines and the common mistakes that are made so that they are aware of how easy it can be to have a machine turn hazardous.
First-Time User Mistakes
When a first-time compact lift equipment user begins working with such equipment, there are a few things that they might mistakenly do.
“Although manufacturers do design in many systems and controls to assist with safe operation, MEWPs (mobile elevation work platforms) and telehandlers are subject to certain hazards that can be protected against only by the exercise of intelligence, care, and common sense, and not by mechanical means,” said Owyen.
First-time users may have a false sense of confidence due to previous use of other types of lifting equipment. But not all compact lifting equipment is the same. 
Genie
“I think there [are] way too many people that use this type of machine that assume that every machine will be the same or that they can learn as they go … as opposed to spending a few minutes in the manual to understand which controls do what,” said Crook.
Getting too comfortable with handling equipment can be an issue if the operator doesn’t remember all of the safety protocols or is unfamiliar with a new product design.
Responsibly Renting
Rental companies are the barrier between a customer and potentially dangerous equipment. The company's job is to understand customers' needs and educate them in necessary areas. Modern compact lifting equipment tends to have new features and things to be aware of. Safe practices get updated and customers might get rusty on the best safe practices.
“Equipment safety protocols are the most important part of renting a piece of equipment. Knowing the correct procedure to follow if an incident occurs is extremely important as well,” said Warrington. “The customer needs to know their insurance policy limitations. The rental company also needs to have a procedure to protect themselves against a lawsuit, if an incident were to occur.”
