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.
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)
As an employer or employee, it is important that you are aware of any regulations that may apply to your workplace.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, also known as PUWER, are a set of regulations used in the United Kingdom to make sure work equipment is being used safely. They’re designed to protect the health and safety of employees, as well as anyone who may be affected by using work equipment, including customers.
Helping our customers to achieve compliance
PUWER applies to a wide range of equipment from all industries in the UK, including anything from machinery and tools to vehicles, appliances, and systems used in the workplace.
These regulations place duties on employers, employees, and the self-employed who work with or around such equipment to take the necessary precautions to keep themselves, and their team, safe. Some of these duties include:
- Conducting risk assessments to identify potential hazards
- Making sure equipment is properly maintained and inspected
- Providing adequate training and information to employees
- Implementing measures to control risks
- Also, as part of this, employees are expected to cooperate with their employers, follow safe work practices, and report any equipment defects or hazards that they may find while working.
Ensure complete PUWER compliance and protect your workforce and property with our specialised Equipment Inspections
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How we work with you
Our process at BES Group for an inspection under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) involves:
- Identifying the work equipment that needs to be inspected. This step will depend on the specific hazards associated with the work equipment and the activities that are carried out using it.
- Creating the plan of inspection. This plan will take into account the scope, the inspection methods, and how frequently the equipment needs to be inspected.
- Then, our team of expert engineer surveyors will carry out the inspection in a systematic manner, focusing on hazardous areas in particular.
- After each inspection, our engineers will comprise a detailed report of our findings and recommendations in a way that’s simple and clear to understand.
- Following this, we’ll work with you to decide on an action plan for rectifying any hazards or faulty equipment found during the inspection. Whether that’s replacing work equipment or implementing new safety measures, no matter what, you’ll be kept up to date at each stage of the process.
With our stringent equipment safety inspections, we can help to ensure that your work equipment is safe to use, your workers are protected from harm, and your business is legally compliant.
FAQs
What are the key provisions of PUWER?
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The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations includes several key provisions to ensure the safe use of work equipment in the workplace. Here are the primary provisions of PUWER:
Risk Assessment: PUWER requires employers to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of work equipment to identify potential hazards, assess risk and determine appropriate control measures to mitigate risks.
Safe Equipment Selection and Design: Employers must ensure that work equipment is suitable for its intended use, considering factors like the nature of the work, foreseeable hazards, and the capabilities of the users.
Maintenance, Inspection, and Repair: PUWER mandates that work equipment is maintained in a safe working condition with regular inspections, maintenance procedures, and repair processes.
Employee Training and Competence: Employers are responsible for providing adequate training and instruction to employees who use or operate work equipment. Training should cover safe working practices, equipment operation, emergency procedures, and any specific risks associated with the equipment.
Information, Instruction, and Supervision: Employers must provide employees with clear information and instructions regarding the safe use of work equipment. This includes any specific operating procedures, safety precautions, and potential risks.
Emergency Procedures and Safety Measures: PUWER requires employers to establish and communicate emergency procedures, such as evacuation plans, equipment shutdown protocols, and first aid arrangements, and to supply suitable personal protective equipment (PPE).
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH): When work equipment involves the use of hazardous substances, employers must comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), which includes conducting risk assessments, implementing control measures, and providing suitable PPE and training.
Specific Requirements for Mobile Work Equipment, Lifting Equipment, and Power Presses: PUWER also includes additional provisions specific to certain types of work equipment, such as mobile work equipment (e.g., forklift trucks), lifting equipment (e.g., cranes, hoists), and power presses. These requirements outline specific safety measures and inspections for these types of equipment.
It’s important for employers and employees to make sure they’re aware of the detailed provisions of PUWER that apply to their workplace and equipment, to make sure they have a safe working environment and are compliant with the relevant regulations.
What work equipment is covered by PUWER?
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Machinery
Storage Racking
Roller Shutter Doors
Appliances
Apparatus
Tools
Installations
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
What are the requirements for PUWER inspections?
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The inspections must be carried out by a competent person. A competent person is someone who has the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to carry out the inspections safely and effectively.
The inspections must be recorded. The records should include the date of the inspection, the findings of the inspection, and any action taken as a result of the inspection.
The inspections must be carried out at suitable intervals. The frequency of inspections will depend on the type of equipment and the level of risk associated with it.
The inspections must be thorough. The inspections should cover all aspects of the work equipment, including the condition of the equipment, the safety features, and the operating instructions.
How often should work equipment be inspected?
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The frequency of work equipment inspections depends on the type of equipment and the level of risk associated with it. The following are some general guidelines for how often work equipment should be inspected:
High-risk equipment: This includes equipment that is used in hazardous environments or that has the potential to cause serious injury or death if it is not properly maintained. This type of equipment should be inspected at least every 6 months.
Medium-risk equipment: This includes equipment that is used in less hazardous environments or that has the potential to cause minor injury or damage if it is not properly maintained. This type of equipment should be inspected at least annually.
Low-risk equipment: This includes equipment that is used in safe environments or that has the potential to cause only minor inconvenience if it is not properly maintained. This type of equipment should be inspected at least every 2 years.
Who can carry out PUWER inspections?
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A competent person can carry out PUWER inspections. A competent person is someone who has the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to carry out equipment safety inspections safely and effectively.
Key benefits of PUWER compliance
Avoid penalties
by following the regulations and implementing best practices, employers can ensure the safety of their employees, reduce the risk of accidents, and avoid legal penalties.
Correct hazards
Inspections under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment regulation can help to identify and correct any hazards associated with work equipment, such as loose guards, sharp edges, or missing safety features.
Equipment maintenance
Equipment safety inspections under PUWER help to keep equipment in a safe condition, by checking for wear and tear and replacing any damaged parts.
Improve staff awareness
PUWER inspections can help to raise employee awareness of the importance of safety, as employees can learn about the hazards associated with work equipment and how to operate them safely.
Protect your business
By achieving PUWER compliance, businesses can help to protect themselves from liability in the event of an accident, by being able to prove that they have taken steps to reduce the risk of accidents.
Avoid penalties
by following the regulations and implementing best practices, employers can ensure the safety of their employees, reduce the risk of accidents, and avoid legal penalties.
Correct hazards
Inspections under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment regulation can help to identify and correct any hazards associated with work equipment, such as loose guards, sharp edges, or missing safety features.
Equipment maintenance
Equipment safety inspections under PUWER help to keep equipment in a safe condition, by checking for wear and tear and replacing any damaged parts.
Improve staff awareness
PUWER inspections can help to raise employee awareness of the importance of safety, as employees can learn about the hazards associated with work equipment and how to operate them safely.
Protect your business
By achieving PUWER compliance, businesses can help to protect themselves from liability in the event of an accident, by being able to prove that they have taken steps to reduce the risk of accidents.
Did you know?
37
fatal injuries involving work equipment in the UK took place in 2021/22, according to the HSE
£1.5 million
was charged in fines to a customer by the HSE in 2021/22 for a breach of health and safety regulations.
1,332
enforcement notices were issued to companies for breaches of health and safety regulations by the HSE in 2021/22.
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. I previously used Allianz, and 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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