GREENWICH, Conn. — United Rentals recently released the first in a series of white papers on issues of importance to the construction and rental industries and their customers.

“Natural and Man-made Disasters — the Role of the Rental Industry” focuses on business continuity and emergency planning for natural disasters, acts of terrorism and other severe business disruptions. The intent of the white paper is to define the rental industry's role in responding to these events, and suggests ways to partner with customers in preparation.

“Our research has defined a five-part hierarchy of needs: worker protection; traffic control and transport; relief and rescue; capital equipment; and information,” said United's executive vice president-operations Michael Kneeland. “Each area can be improved by employing best practices.”

Kneeland said that as the industry's largest rental company, “United Rentals has a responsibility to help drive improvements in the ways that equipment and supplies are deployed to customers by our industry.”

Kneeland said future white papers under development deal with topics relating to aerial equipment, trench safety, safety, and service and maintenance.

The white papers are available at no charge in English, Spanish and French and can be downloaded or printed from the company's website www.unitedrentals.com.