PUWER Risk Assessment Sutton Coldfield, UK

PUWER stands for the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. These regulations require employers to ensure that all work equipment is suitable for its intended use, properly maintained, and used only by people who have received adequate training.

PUWER applies to anyone in the UK who uses work equipment, including employers, self-employed individuals, supervisors who manage equipment use.

Equipment that typically requires a PUWER risk assessment includes machinery (such as conveyors, fixed machines, motor vehicles, excavators, and tractors), power tools, and handheld devices used in workplace tasks.

PUWER assessments need to be conducted: after installation before first use, after equipment has been exposed to conditions causing deterioration, at suitable intervals determined by risk level, and after exceptional circumstances that could jeopardise equipment safety.

No! We have clients all across the UK.

A PUWER assessment identifies risks associated with equipment use and design following PUWER regulations, while an inspection is typically more focused on the physical condition and maintenance of the equipment.

Risk assessments must be performed by a “trained and competent person, a consultant, or an authorised third party.” The assessor must understand both the procedure and legal framework.

You must keep records of PUWER inspections, though there’s no required format. Records typically include information on equipment type and model, identification marks or numbers, and details of any faults found along with proposed actions.

This depends on the equipment’s complexity and risk level. Some equipment with similar risks can be grouped together, while complex or high-risk machinery often needs individual assessment.

HSE inspectors can question employers and employees, issue enforcement or prohibition notices, legally stop work from continuing, and initiate prosecution proceedings for PUWER non-compliance.

LOLER and PUWER legislation often overlap as both apply to workplace equipment. The key difference is that LOLER applies specifically to lifting equipment, while PUWER applies to all equipment used in the workplace.

Checklists can be helpful tools for PUWER assessments, but the HSE cautions against over reliance on them. The focus should be on checking equipment to ensure it’s safe, not just ticking boxes.