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PUWER regulations

As a business owner or employer, ensuring the safety and well-being of your employees should always be a top priority. This includes providing them with the necessary equipment to perform their duties safely and effectively. 

April 6, 2023

However, it’s not enough to simply provide equipment and hope for the best. Proper maintenance and regular PUWER assessments are crucial to ensuring that equipment remains safe for use and prevents workplace injuries or accidents.

Firstly, what are PUWER Regulations?

No, it’s not the fancy name of a new trendy workout or a piece of equipment you’ve never heard of. Instead, it stands for Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations. 

Essentially, it is a check-up for your work equipment to make sure that it is safe and suitable for use. 

Think of it like taking your car to the mechanic for a tune-up – you want to ensure that everything’s working as it should so that you don’t end up stranded on the side of the road.
The same goes for your workplace machinery and equipment. You’ll want to make sure that it’s all in good shape in order to keep your workforce safe and avoid any potential accidents or injuries that could occur. 

You’ll need to ensure that: 

  • Equipment is suitable for the intended purpose.
  • Equipment is maintained in a safe condition and inspected to ensure it is correctly installed and does not subsequently deteriorate.
  • Equipment is used only by people who have received adequate information, instruction and training.
  • Where necessary, equipment is inspected in certain circumstances to ensure that it is safe for use. Any inspection should be carried out by a competent person, and a record of findings should be kept securely until the next inspection.
  • You provide adequate, clear health and safety information. This includes, where necessary, written instructions on how to use equipment and suitable equipment markings and warnings.

During a PUWER assessment, a qualified assessor will come in and inspect your equipment. They’ll be looking for any potential hazards, defects, or issues that could pose a risk to the user. Once they’ve completed their assessment, they’ll make recommendations for any necessary improvements or modifications to make sure everything’s up to scratch.

Why should you, as an employer, care about PUWER Regulations?

  • They ensure you’re not breaking the law (PUWER Regulations, 1998)
  • They allow any potential hazards to be identified before they become an issue
  • PUWER Assessments increase production efficiency
  • Ensures a safe working environment 
  • Lowers the risk of costly fines!

What equipment is covered by PUWER Regulations? 

The definition given in the PUWER Regulations (1998) is often confusing for business owners, as it’s particularly broad. However, the truth is that the regulations apply to all workplace equipment, regardless of how old or new it is and whether your business owns or hires it. 

Therefore the safe option is to assume that PUWER does apply to your business – and ensure you’ve had it checked appropriately. 

Examples of equipment that you might not have thought about include: 

Machineries – such as forklift trucks, motor vehicles, pallet trucks, conveyor belts, sewing machines and food processors. 

Tools – such as power tools, glue guns, saws, welding equipment, knives, wood presses and hammers.

Appliances – such as commercial coffee machines, washing machines, dishwashers, computers, printers and photocopiers.

Installations – electrical wiring, lighting fixtures, water sprinklers, heating systems, plumbing systems, escalators and emergency-stop controls.

How often should PUWER Regulations Assesments be carried out?

Official PUWER Regulations specify that assessments should be carried out in the following circumstances:

  • Where the safety of work equipment depends on the installation conditions, it should be inspected after installation and before first use, and after any reassembly at any new site/location.
  • At suitable intervals, where work equipment is exposed to conditions causing deterioration liable to result in dangerous situations.
  • Each time exceptional circumstances (eg major modifications, known or suspected serious damage, substantial change in the nature of use) are liable to have jeopardised the safety of the work equipment.

When do PUWER Regulations not apply?

If you happen to be the supplier or retailer of workplace equipment, it is not your duty to guarantee that the equipment operates in compliance with PUWER. Instead, it is the responsibility of the business owners, employers, or the assigned Competent Person of the workplace. 

PUWER Regulations: How can pm Connections help?

Here at pm Connections, our team consists of approachable, friendly professionals – who possess technical proficiency with a practical approach.

We speak to businesses every day that are overwhelmed or confused by PUWER Regulations, so don’t be worried to admit that you don’t know what you don’t know! 

Fortunately, we can offer assistance. Reach out to our team, and we’ll provide you with practical advice and effective solutions to alleviate the burden of complying with machine safety regulations. This will allow you to focus on your core strengths – and leave the compliance matters to us. 

Give us a call on 01925 649 818 to get started today!

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