PUWER Assessment Services

PUWER stands for the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations. It’s a set of UK regulations aimed at ensuring work equipment is safe for use. PUWER requires you to make sure equipment is suitable for use, properly maintained, and safe. PUWER plays a vital role in health and safety, helping to reduce workplace accidents and ensure a safer environment.

PUWER covers any work equipment that could potentially cause an accident or risk health and safety. This includes machinery like drills, saws, forklifts, and manufacturing equipment, plus smaller tools like ladders and hand tools. Even office equipment like photocopiers can be covered if it presents a hazard. Essentially, PUWER regulations apply to any equipment used by employees that could lead to injury if not properly maintained, used, or controlled.

The frequency of PUWER Inspections depends on the equipment’s risk level:

• High-risk equipment (used in hazardous environments or with serious injury potential) should be inspected every 6 months.

• Medium-risk equipment (less hazardous but could cause minor injury) requires inspection at least annually.

• Low-risk equipment (minimal risk or potential for minor inconvenience) should be inspected every 2 years.

Additional inspections are also required when purchasing new equipment or moving and modifying equipment. For example, if you moved machinery to another area of the building. This new location could present different risks, such as changes to the guarding, which need to be assessed. HSE may also have further requirements for inspecting equipment.

PUWER Inspections have specific requirements. These include:

• Competent person: Inspections must be carried out by someone with the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience.

• Records: Inspection dates, findings, and actions must be documented.

• Frequency: Inspections should be conducted at the correct intervals based on equipment type and risk level.

• Thoroughness: Inspections must cover all aspects, including equipment condition, safety features, and operating instructions.

Only a competent person can carry out PUWER Inspections. This person must have the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to carry out equipment safety inspections effectively.

A planned preventative maintenance system (PPM) is a proactive approach to maintaining equipment. This helps prevent breakdowns and costly repairs, while promoting safety.

During a PUWER Assessment, our engineers assess your PPM system to ensure it’s effective. If it lacks detail or evidence, we provide tailored recommendations to improve it. This links to our Asset Reliability services, which focus on enhancing equipment performance through preventative maintenance measures.

PUWER is essential for any workplace. It ensures that all work equipment is safe to use, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries. PUWER Assessments & Inspections also helps you comply with legal safety standards, protecting employees, contractors, and even visitors to your workplace. As a result, PUWER audits minimise downtime, increase productivity, and create a safer working environment for everyone.

Failing to conduct PUWER Assessments is risky, not just for regulatory compliance, but for misuse of equipment and injuries to your employees. Liability claims could damage your business reputation and leave you with expensive legal fees. We’re here to help make sure that doesn’t happen. Our Assessment process will keep your equipment running safely, maintaining compliance with PUWER legislation and reducing unnecessary risks.