Hertz Equipment Rental Corp., No. 2 on the RER 100, has named James Guarino as director of safety.

Guarino will be responsible for all aspects of HERC's North American equipment and personnel safety programs and will report to Daniel Malanka, Hertz division vice president, fleet operations.

"Jim has been instrumental in implementing a variety of HERC's safety programs, and we're confident that he will continue to keep HERC in the forefront of offering the highest-quality safety programs available," said HERC president Gerry Plescia.

Guarino, who will work out of company headquarters in Park Ridge, N.J., joined HERC in 1996 and most recently served as safety manager. He also has been a safety professional in the construction, hazardous waste and chemical industries.