Reduce risk and maintain compliance with our specialist risk management services.
We’re proud to be a leading provider of complete life cycle risk management solutions. From ensuring asset safety and legal compliance with our thorough engineering inspections to driving operational efficiency with our specialist non-destructive testing services, (and much more in between), we’re proud of the long-lasting partnerships we have formed with our customers over the last 160 years, based on the value of our solutions.
Power Press Inspections
Ensuring the safety and compliance of your Power Presses
Power presses, as defined under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), is a Press or Press Brake that’s used for metal working, is power driven, and includes a flywheel and a clutch. At BES Group, we understand the importance of safeguarding your workforce and ensuring the compliance of your power presses. Our comprehensive power press inspection services provide a systematic approach to identifying and addressing potential hazards, ensuring your equipment operates safely and compliantly.
Seamless Power Press safety management
Accidents involving power presses are typically caused by ‘trapping between the tools,’ resulting in amputations, life changing injuries, and death.
However, these accidents are most often caused by poor maintenance or incorrect setting of the press, its safeguards, and the control system by underqualified individuals.
Regulation 32 of PUWER – The Safe Use of Power Presses, sets out the requirements for the inspection of power press machines, including detailing the required frequency of inspections. It also requires that an independent and qualified person carries these inspections out. And that’s where we come in; at BES Group, we’re proud to be both independent and competent, with decades of experience in inspecting critical machinery, including power presses.
We’re proud to say that our team of engineer surveyors are accredited, experienced, and qualified to the highest industry standards. Together, we’ll ensure that your critical power press machinery is in full working order with our expert inspection service, and, most importantly, safe for use while causing minimal disruption to your daily operations.
With our Power Press Inspections, we can ensure power press safety and compliance at your site.
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1. Planning
Get in touch to stay compliantWe begin by carefully planning the inspection, identifying the specific areas of your power press that require closer scrutiny, such as safety guards, electrical components, hydraulic system, operating controls, emergency stop button, signage, and operating instructions. We also ensure that you receive a detailed inspection plan and report upon completion.
2. Inspection
Our experienced engineer surveyors conduct a thorough and systematic inspection, meticulously examining every component of your power press, paying particular attention to areas that are known to be hazardous.
This meticulous examination involves visual inspections, functional checks, and advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques, as needed, to detect hidden defects and ensure the overall integrity of your power press.
Get in touch to stay compliant
3. Documentation & reporting
We meticulously document the findings of our inspection, including any defects, damage, or non-compliance issues identified.
This comprehensive documentation serves as a valuable record of your power press’s condition, enabling you to track maintenance history and make informed decisions regarding future repairs or replacements.
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4. Addressing hazards
Our team of experts prioritises hazard identification and rectification, providing clear recommendations for addressing any defects or non-compliance issues.
This may involve repairing or replacing damaged parts, installing new safety guards, or modifying operating procedures to minimise risk and ensure compliance with PUWER regulations.
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5. Scheduled inspections
During this process, we’ll also closely examine your existing power press control measures to ensure they’re still effective.
The frequency of power press inspections will vary depending on your equipment, but they’re typically carried out at least once a year. Don’t worry – our planning team will let you know when your power press needs inspecting in advance, meaning you have time to plan ahead, giving you complete peace of mind.
Get in touch to stay compliant
FAQs
What are the hazards associated with power presses?
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Power presses are machines that use a significant amount of force to shape or deform materials. They can be very dangerous if not used properly, and there are several hazards associated with using them.
Some of the most common hazards associated with power presses include:
Crush injuries. This is the most common type of injury associated with power presses, and can happen when a worker’s fingers, hands, or arms are caught between the moving parts of the press.
Amputations. Crush injuries can also lead to amputations, a serious and often life-changing injury.
Cuts and lacerations. The sharp edges of the materials being worked on can cause injuries that can be minor or severe, depending on the depth and location of the cut.
Eye injuries. Flying debris or sparks from the press can cause eye injuries, such as corneal abrasions or even blindness.
Noise-induced hearing loss. Power presses can be very noisy, and prolonged exposure to noise can lead to hearing loss.
Electrical shock. Power presses can be electrically powered, and there is a risk of electrical shock if the equipment is not properly maintained.
This is why it’s so important that you have an in-depth power press risk assessment plan in place, and that you’re working with a competent and independent organisation, like the BES Group, to maintain power press safety at your site.
What should be included in a power press inspection checklist?
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A power press inspection checklist should include the following items:
Visual inspection. This will include checking for any damage to the press, such as cracks, dents, or missing parts.
Safety guard inspection. Safety guards should be in good condition and should be properly installed.
Electrical component checks. The electrical components should be in good condition and should be properly wired.
Hydraulic system checks. The hydraulic system should be in good condition and should not leak.
Operating controls checks. The operating controls should be in good working order and should not be damaged.
Emergency stop button test. The emergency stop button should be in good working order and should be easily accessible.
Signage inspection. The signage should be clear and easy to understand.
Most importantly, an inspection of a power press should only be carried out by qualified individuals with the right experience and expertise, like the BES Group.
How often should power presses inspections be carried out?
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In the UK, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) states that power presses with certain guards must be inspected every 6 months. Power Presses with fixed guards, or enclosed tooling, should be examined every 12 months, by a competent person.
During this process, existing power press control measures should be examined to ensure they’re still effective.
To find out more, speak to one of our specialists.
How can I correct any potential hazards found during a power press inspection?
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While you should always speak to an expert in power press inspections, like our team here at the BES Group, here are some more things you can do to make sure your power press is safe to use:
Make sure that all safety guards are properly installed and in good condition.
Train workers on how to use the press safely.
Keep a record of all inspections and repairs.
How can I ensure that the power press is properly maintained?
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To find out how to ensure complete power press safety with proper maintenance speak to us. We’re here to answer your questions, no matter what
Key benefits
Reduced risk of accidents and injuries
Power presses are powerful machines that can cause serious injuries if they are not properly maintained and inspected. By conducting regular inspections, you can help to identify and correct any potential hazards before they cause an accident.
Improved safety culture
Regular inspections can help to create a culture of safety in your workplace. This can lead to employees being more aware of the hazards associated with power presses and being more likely to follow safe operating procedures.
Regulatory compliance
By conducting regular inspections and having a thorough power press risk assessment plan in place, you can help to ensure that your business is compliant with all the relevant regulations.
Increased productivity
When power presses are properly maintained and inspected, they are less likely to break down. This can lead to increased productivity as employees are not having to spend time waiting for the machine to be repaired.
Reduced costs
When accidents and injuries are prevented, the costs associated with these incidents are also prevented. This includes the cost of medical treatment, lost productivity, and legal fees.
Reduced risk of accidents and injuries
Power presses are powerful machines that can cause serious injuries if they are not properly maintained and inspected. By conducting regular inspections, you can help to identify and correct any potential hazards before they cause an accident.
Improved safety culture
Regular inspections can help to create a culture of safety in your workplace. This can lead to employees being more aware of the hazards associated with power presses and being more likely to follow safe operating procedures.
Regulatory compliance
By conducting regular inspections and having a thorough power press risk assessment plan in place, you can help to ensure that your business is compliant with all the relevant regulations.
Increased productivity
When power presses are properly maintained and inspected, they are less likely to break down. This can lead to increased productivity as employees are not having to spend time waiting for the machine to be repaired.
Reduced costs
When accidents and injuries are prevented, the costs associated with these incidents are also prevented. This includes the cost of medical treatment, lost productivity, and legal fees.
Did you know...
26
deaths in 2021/22 were caused by power presses, according to the HSE.
£10,000
was ordered by the HSE to be paid in fines by a Warwickshire manufacturer after an employee had his hand crushed in a power press, resulting in the amputation of two fingers.
1,332
enforcement notices were issued to companies for breaches of health and safety regulations by the HSE in 2021/22.
Hear what our customers have to say
We care about the journey we take our customers on, but it’s not our word you should be taking, see what our customers think of the service we provided!
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The industry requires competence to be demonstrated, typically through UKAS accreditation, which is a prerequisite for many major clients. BES is type A accredited, which is preferred, they can provide highly objective opinions.
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Customer
Senior Project Manager
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The BES inspectors are way more technically competent and diligent compared to other providers. BES definitely stands out due to their strong technical competence and strong back office support.
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Customer
Project Operations Manager
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BES is a really disruptive force in the market, they are able to provide a variety of necessary services to their customers and none of the other big players are able to provide that breadth of services.
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Industry competitor
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We have been with BES for the past 5 years and don’t plan on switching providers. They are very flexible with their services and are able to bring the best inspectors who can deal with on the ground challenges and build real relationships with clients.
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Customer
Global Technical Services Manager
Why choose us
Clear Reporting
Our transparent online reporting system can provide you with an overview of your engineering compliance whenever you need it, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
We’re Highly Qualified
Our Engineers Surveyors meet a minimum required standard of competence (required experience of 5 years)
35,000 satisfied customers
We've built a strong reputation for providing exceptional service to over 35,000 satisfied customers from diverse industries. Our unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction has resulted in long-standing partnerships and unwavering trust.
800+ expert engineers
Our team of over 800 skilled engineers possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in a range of disciplines. Their deep understanding of your equipment and operating conditions ensures that they deliver proactive solutions that optimise asset performance and minimise downtime
A legacy of 160+ years of experience
With over 160 years of experience in the industry, we've witnessed the evolution of industry practices and have adapted our approach to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers. Our deep understanding of asset management, compliance and predictive technologies enables us to deliver cutting-edge solutions that drive operational excellence.
Our related Services
LOLER
COSHH
PUWER Assessment Services
PSSR
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
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