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Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

PUWER Inspections

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What PUWER Covers

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) apply to virtually all equipment used at work, from a simple hand tool to a complex production line. The regulations place duties on employers to ensure that work equipment is suitable, maintained, inspected and that users are adequately trained and protected.

PUWER Regulation 6 requires that work equipment is inspected at suitable intervals where there is a significant risk to the operator or others from its deterioration. The inspection must be carried out by a competent person and the results recorded. For power presses, Regulations 32 to 35 set out specific requirements including the appointment of an authorised competent person and defined examination intervals.

The scope of PUWER is deliberately broad. It covers machinery guards, emergency stops, control systems, stability, lighting at the workstation, warnings and markings, and protection against specific hazards such as falling objects, ejected materials, overheating and fire.

Who Needs PUWER Inspections?

PUWER applies to every employer and self-employed person who provides or uses work equipment. If your business operates machinery or equipment that could present a risk if it deteriorated, you should be arranging inspections.

Manufacturing and engineering workshops
Food and drink production
Printing and packaging
Woodworking and joinery
Metal fabrication and welding
Automotive repair and servicing
Textile and garment manufacturing
Construction plant operators

Equipment Types and Inspection Intervals

PUWER uses a risk-based approach to inspection intervals. The employer must assess the risk of deterioration and determine a suitable frequency. Power presses have specific statutory intervals. For most other machinery, an annual inspection is common practice.

Power presses and press brakesEvery 6 or 12 months (per PUWER Reg 32-35)
CNC machines and machining centresRisk-based — typically every 12 months
Conveyor systemsRisk-based — typically every 12 months
Guillotines and shearing machinesRisk-based — typically every 12 months
Woodworking machineryRisk-based — typically every 12 months
Packaging machineryRisk-based — typically every 12 months
Guards and safety devicesInspected as part of machine examination
Abrasive wheels and grinding machinesRisk-based — per employer assessment
Mobile work equipment (not lifting)Risk-based — typically every 12 months

Employer Responsibility

Under PUWER, the duty to inspect work equipment lies squarely with the employer. Unlike LOLER, where the intervals are largely prescribed, PUWER requires the employer to make a judgement about what constitutes a suitable inspection interval. Getting this wrong — either by not inspecting at all, or by choosing an interval that is too long — can result in enforcement action, prosecution and personal liability for directors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does PUWER require?+
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) require employers to ensure that all work equipment is suitable for its intended use, maintained in a safe condition, inspected at suitable intervals, and that adequate training is provided to operators. Where there is a specific risk, the equipment must be inspected by a competent person and the results recorded.
How often should PUWER inspections be carried out?+
PUWER does not prescribe a single universal interval. The frequency depends on the type of equipment, the risk it presents, the intensity of use and the working environment. Power presses have specific requirements under Regulations 32-35 with defined intervals. For other equipment, the employer must determine the appropriate interval based on risk assessment. Many businesses adopt an annual inspection cycle.
Is PUWER different from LOLER?+
Yes. LOLER specifically covers lifting equipment and lifting operations. PUWER is broader and covers all work equipment, including machinery, tools and non-lifting equipment. Some equipment — such as a forklift — falls under both LOLER (for the lifting function) and PUWER (for the general work equipment duties). Power presses have their own specific requirements within PUWER.
Who can carry out a PUWER inspection?+
PUWER requires inspections to be carried out by a competent person. This may be a suitably trained and experienced in-house engineer, or an engineer from an external inspection body. For power presses, the regulations are more specific about competency requirements. Using an independent UKAS-accredited inspection body provides the strongest evidence of compliance.
What are the penalties for non-compliance?+
Failure to comply with PUWER is a criminal offence under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The HSE can issue improvement notices, prohibition notices or prosecute. Fines are unlimited in the Crown Court. Directors and officers can be held personally liable where consent or neglect is demonstrated.
Do PUWER inspections cover safety guards?+
Yes. PUWER Regulation 11 requires that effective measures are taken to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery. The inspection of guards, interlocks, two-hand controls and other protective devices is a core part of a PUWER thorough examination. The competent person will assess whether all guards and safety devices are present, functional and adequate.

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