United Rentals last week implemented three key initiatives that expand customer access to safety training in the United States and Canada.

Among the additions to the training platform are a new online portal with downloadable schedule and email enrollment. The Training and Safety site is found in the Service Center at www.unitedrentals.com. It also expanded availability of OSHA 10-Hour Construction Training, which is now offered through United Rentals certified instructors across the U.S. The company’s instructors are authorized by OSHA to conduct the Construction Outreach Course, a safety course required by an increasing number of states to teach workers about the hazards of construction work and the regulations that apply to construction sites. In addition, a new Excavator Training and Certification program, including instruction in the safe handling of heavy equipment and productivity techniques, is scheduled to launch Sept. 1.

“As the industry leader, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to encourage jobsite safety,” said Lee Braden, manager of safety training for United Rentals. “This includes staying on top of customer needs as well as the regulatory environment. We are advocating safety by putting our resources into educating as many workers as possible on proper equipment operation and accident prevention. Already this year, more than 6,000 contractors have completed the Confined Space Entry/Competent Person Training provided by our Trench Safety team — that’s a new six-month milestone in this one area alone.”

United Rentals offers operator instruction and certification taught by IVES-certified instructors on aerial equipment, loaders and backhoes, skid-steer loaders, vertical reach forklifts, rough terrain forklifts, and excavators; OSHA 10-hour construction training; confined space entry training; and competent person training, and a familiarization course on boomlifts and scissorlifts to meet ANSI requirements. In addition, the company partners with the American Heart Association to offer First Aid and CPR training programs.

For more about on-site or off-site training programs available from United Rentals, visit www.unitedrentals.com.

Headquartered in Greenwich, Conn., United Rentals is No. 1 on the RER 100.