PUWER — Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
Your complete guide to understanding PUWER requirements
PUWER is one of the broadest workplace safety regulations in the UK, applying to virtually all equipment used at work. This guide explains the scope, duties, inspection requirements, and what you need to do to stay compliant.
What is PUWER?
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) replaced the original 1992 regulations and were later amended by the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2002. PUWER places duties on businesses and organisations that own, operate, or control work equipment, as well as those whose employees use it.
The definition of "work equipment" is extremely broad — it covers any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for use at work. This includes everything from a simple screwdriver to a complex CNC machine. The definition also extends to activities such as starting, stopping, programming, setting, transporting, repairing, modifying, maintaining, and servicing.
Importantly, PUWER applies even to equipment owned by employees if it is used at work, and to hired or leased equipment during the period of hire.
Who Has Duties Under PUWER?
- Employers who provide work equipment for use by employees
- Self-employed persons who use work equipment
- Persons who control the use of work equipment (facilities managers, building owners)
- Anyone who provides work equipment for use by others (hire companies, suppliers)
- Businesses whose employees use employee-owned equipment at work
Key PUWER Requirements
PUWER imposes a wide range of duties on duty holders. The key requirements are:
Suitability
Work equipment must be suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided. Equipment selection must take into account working conditions, the risks to health and safety, and any additional risks posed by the equipment itself.
Maintenance
Equipment must be maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order, and in good repair. Where a maintenance log is required, it must be kept up to date.
Inspection
Equipment must be inspected after installation and before first use. Ongoing inspections are required where conditions of use could cause deterioration that may lead to a dangerous situation.
Guarding
Dangerous parts of machinery must be guarded using fixed guards, interlocked guards, or other appropriate measures. Effective guards must prevent access to the dangerous parts while the machine is operating.
Controls
Control systems must be safe, clearly identifiable, and positioned to avoid unintentional operation. Equipment must have controls for starting, stopping, and emergency stop where appropriate.
Energy Isolation
Equipment must be provided with suitable means to isolate it from all sources of energy — including electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and gravitational energy.
Temperature Extremes
Where parts of the equipment operate at very high or very low temperatures, protective measures must be in place to prevent injury from burns or other thermal injuries.
Stability
Equipment must be stabilised by clamping or other suitable means where necessary to prevent it from moving during operation in a way that could create a risk.
Equipment Covered by PUWER
While PUWER covers all work equipment, the following are common types that require regular inspection:
Inspection and Maintenance
When Inspections Are Required
PUWER requires inspection in the following circumstances:
After Installation
Equipment must be inspected after installation and before being put into service for the first time, to confirm it has been installed correctly and is safe to operate.
Ongoing Inspections
Where conditions of use could cause deterioration leading to dangerous situations, equipment must be inspected at suitable intervals. The frequency should be determined by risk assessment.
After Exceptional Circumstances
Equipment must be inspected after any event that may have affected its safety — such as an accident, long period of non-use, or major modifications.
Training and Competence
PUWER places specific duties on employers regarding training and information for anyone who uses, supervises, or manages work equipment:
Employer obligations include:
- Providing adequate health and safety information and written instructions where necessary
- Ensuring all users receive adequate training in the methods of use and the risks involved
- Restricting the use of high-risk equipment to specifically trained and designated persons
- Providing suitable markings and warnings on equipment where necessary
- Ensuring supervisors and managers also receive appropriate training
Relationship to LOLER
Lifting equipment is a subset of work equipment and must comply with both PUWER and LOLER. LOLER adds specific requirements for thorough examinations, safe working load markings, and the planning and supervision of lifting operations.
Read the LOLER regulation guideOfficial Source
This guide is provided for general information only. For the full regulatory text and official HSE guidance, visit:
HSE — PUWER GuidancePUWER FAQs
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