Work Equipment Assessments (PUWER)

Work equipment is any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for use at work. This includes equipment which employees provide for their own use at work. The scope of work equipment is therefore extremely wide. The use of work equipment is also very widely interpreted as: ‘… Any activity involving work equipment and includes starting, stopping, programming, setting, transporting, repairing, modifying, maintaining, servicing and cleaning’.

The legislation around this is ‘The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998’ 

These Regulations, (often abbreviated to PUWER), place duties on people and companies who own, operate or have control over work equipment. 

Equipment provided for use at work must be:

• Suitable for the intended use safe for use.
• Maintained in a safe condition and inspected to ensure it is correctly installed and does not subsequently deteriorate.
• Used only by people who have received adequate information, instruction and training.
• Accompanied by suitable health and safety measures, such as protective devices and controls.
  (These will normally include emergency stop devices, adequate means of Isolation from sources of energy, clearly visible markings and warning devices).
• Used in accordance with specific requirements e.g. power presses.

Some work equipment is subject to other health and safety legislation which must be included in your overall management of health and safety. 

For more information or understanding what in practical terms you need to do, please contact us.