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.
PUWER Assessment Services
Ensure compliance with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) Assessments are a vital part of workplace safety. These assessments ensure that any work equipment that is new, moved, or modified, is safe to use. Our comprehensive PUWER assessment services ensure health and safety throughout your workplace–not just for you and your employees, but also for customers and visitors.
Maintain PUWER compliance and protect your workforce
Book a PUWER Assessment Book a PUWER Assessment Book a PUWER Assessment
What is the purpose of a PUWER Assessment?
PUWER Assessments assess the safety of your equipment, ensuring it’s being used and maintained correctly. These assessments look at your machinery hazards and how you work, to reduce potential risks. They evaluate the equipment training, information, and instruction procedures that you have in place.
If you work with any equipment hazards that could cause accidents, you should carry out a PUWER Assessment. Otherwise, you could face non-compliance and a HSE investigation, which could result in costly fines. People on your premises could injure themselves if your equipment isn’t safe or used correctly. PUWER applies to a wide range of equipment from all industries in the UK, including machinery, tools, appliances, systems, and equipment used in the workplace. Whether you work in food and beverage or an industrial plant, your responsibilities remain the same. A safe workplace is crucial no matter your industry or type of equipment.
What does a PUWER Assessment cover?
PUWER Assessments consider all aspects of your machinery, including hazards, use, training, and control measures. This also includes:
- Potential hazards and risks, including how they’re identified and reported.
- Maintenance and use of equipment.
- Training and education for your workforce regarding the equipment.
- Control measures to mitigate equipment risks, such as dangerous parts, temperatures, or stop controls.
Since PUWER cover all industries in the UK, the type of equipment assessed varies depending on your workplace. Some of the most common equipment assessed includes the following:
- Woodworking equipment
- Food processing equipment such as mixers, dividers, ovens
- Conveyor systems & packaging equipment
- Industrial machines
- Metal cutting machines
- Waste handling plants
- Production lines
- Cranes
Our PUWER Assessment Process
Keeping your team and workplace safe is essential. Our PUWER assessment includes an end-to-end service, from inspections through to a detailed report and action plan.
Our engineers are happy to work around your schedule to minimise operational impact on your business. Our engineers are with you every step of the way to ensure your work equipment is safe and compliant.
If you need to provide PUWER training as part of your action plan, we can support you with this too. This includes general awareness training and safety compliance practices.
1) Initial review and risk assessment
First, we’ll identify the work equipment that needs to be assessed. This can include any new, moved, or modified machinery. We understand every industry and asset is different, so our engineers will consider the specific hazards associated with your workplace and how your equipment is used.
This is part of our PUWER risk assessment survey, where engineers take photos of hazards and provide expert advice for you to review and make changes.
2) Assessment plan
We’ll then put our assessment plan together. This will consider the scope of the assessment, and which specific regulations are to be considered. You’ll have plenty of time to review this before we attend your site, so you know exactly what’s happening.
3) Systematic PUWER Assessment
When it’s time for the PUWER assessment, our expert engineers will conduct their assessment thoroughly, focusing on hazardous areas. They’ll review all aspects of your machinery, risk assessments, and education and training plans for employees.
4) Detailed report
When the assessment is complete, it’s time to produce your report. Our engineers will provide a detailed report of their findings at the end of each assessment. This will include recommendations, so you know what steps to take next. We clearly outline and define each recommendation, to help you understand your assessment results.
5) Action plan
When the report is issued, a colour coded traffic light approach is used to highlight major concerns, thus aiding you to direct your efforts to resolve the high-risk nonconformities first. You can write your measures directly into the report, describing the issue and how you’ve mitigated the risks.
Benefits of PUWER Assessments
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.
Safety compliance
Identify and minimise equipment hazards via PUWER Assessments. We help you maintain safety compliance and protect your workforce.
Protect your business
Avoid legal penalties and minimise the risk of accidents by following the PUWER regulations and implementing best practices.
Employee awareness
Raise employee awareness about the importance of safety. PUWER training ensures employees learn about equipment hazards and how to use them safely.
Equipment maintenance
Keep your equipment effectively maintained by conducting regular PUWER Inspections that check for wear, damage, and hazardous risks.
Safety compliance
Identify and minimise equipment hazards via PUWER Assessments. We help you maintain safety compliance and protect your workforce.
Protect your business
Avoid legal penalties and minimise the risk of accidents by following the PUWER regulations and implementing best practices.
Employee awareness
Raise employee awareness about the importance of safety. PUWER training ensures employees learn about equipment hazards and how to use them safely.
Equipment maintenance
Keep your equipment effectively maintained by conducting regular PUWER Inspections that check for wear, damage, and hazardous risks.
PUWER FAQs
What does PUWER stand for in health and safety?
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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.
To book a PUWER Assessment with our expert engineers, fill in our form.
What work equipment is covered by PUWER?
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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.
How often should PUWER Inspections be carried out?
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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.
What are the requirements for PUWER Inspections?
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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.
Who can conduct a PUWER Inspection?
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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. To book a PUWER Inspection with our expert engineers, fill in our contact form.
What is a planned preventative maintenance system?
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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.
Why is PUWER important in the workplace?
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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.
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.
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.
Accredited Inspections
Our engineer surveyors are accredited to the highest industry standards, which means we’re well equipped to carry out our complete inspection service offering, no matter your requirements.
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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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
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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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Our credentials
View all our accreditationsBSI
BES Group Testing Alliance Ltd.
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
British Engineering Services Limited
Facilitiesline
BES Group Electrical Ltd.
Hellios Joscar
British Engineering Services Limited - British Engineering Services Asset Reliability Strainstall Ltd. - British Engineering Services Asset Reliability Mimic Ltd.
Quality Management Standard 'ISO 9001
British Engineering Services Group Asset Reliability Strainstall Ltd.
SafeContractor Approved
BES Group Electrical Ltd. - XEIAD - British Engineering Service Limited
SELECT
BES Group Electrical Ltd.
SAFed
British Engineering Services Limited - Engineering Safety Inspection Services Ltd
UKAS - ISO/IEC 17020:2012
UK Road Tanker Inspection Ltd
U.S. Department of Transportation
British Engineering Services Limited
Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)
British Engineering Services Limited
BSI
BES Group Testing Alliance Ltd.
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
British Engineering Services Limited
Facilitiesline
BES Group Electrical Ltd.
Hellios Joscar
British Engineering Services Limited - British Engineering Services Asset Reliability Strainstall Ltd. - British Engineering Services Asset Reliability Mimic Ltd.
Quality Management Standard 'ISO 9001
British Engineering Services Group Asset Reliability Strainstall Ltd.
SafeContractor Approved
BES Group Electrical Ltd. - XEIAD - British Engineering Service Limited
SELECT
BES Group Electrical Ltd.
SAFed
British Engineering Services Limited - Engineering Safety Inspection Services Ltd
UKAS - ISO/IEC 17020:2012
UK Road Tanker Inspection Ltd
U.S. Department of Transportation
British Engineering Services Limited
Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)
British Engineering Services Limited
Our sectors
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