Hire companies can lease out lifting equipment to the University. If hiring equipment, it is imperative that the responsible person receives sufficient information, instruction and training, as well as documentation to verify that the equipment is safe to use – a valid report of thorough examination. Only those that have received training in the equipment from the hire company however are entitled to use the equipment unless they already hold a certificate that deems them competent. On occasion, the hire company will also provide their own competent staff to operate the equipment. During such circumstances, the certification should still be checked to verify that the operator is competent. Items of lifting equipment must continue to be examined at the frequency required. This should normally fall to the hire company, although checks may need to be made to verify who this responsibility falls to in the agreement made between the University and the hire company.