The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
Overview
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) set out the requirements on every employer to ensure that work equipment is suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided, and cover how work equipment is used, including starting or stopping the equipment, repairing, modifying, maintaining, servicing, cleaning, and transporting. In general, they seek to ensure that any risks created by using the equipment are eliminated or controlled as far as reasonably practicable.
Employers must ensure that any work equipment they provide meets the requirements of the PUWER regulations. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) include any equipment used by an employee at work, including machinery such as drilling machines, power presses, circular saws, photocopiers, lifting equipment (including lifts), dumper trucks and motor vehicles, as well as less obvious tools such as hammers, knives, and ladders.
Employers must also have regard for the working conditions and for the risks to the health and safety of persons which exist when they select equipment that will be used and must ensure that risk assessments consider both the risks of use, and the risks of the equipment.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) were made on the 15th of September 1998 and came into force on the 5th of December 1998.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) fall under the jurisdiction of national authorities in the following countries:
- United Kingdom;
- England;
- Scotland;
- Wales; and
- Northern Ireland.
Do the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) affect my business?
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) cover all work equipment, as well as people and businesses who own, operate or have control over such equipment. This means any “machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for use at work” used by people at work. Therefore, your business will be affected if you use any of the abovementioned equipment in the workplace.
Do I need the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) in my ISO Compliance Register?
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) should apply to most manufacturing, construction, and servicing businesses in the UK, as nearly all of them will have some form of work equipment.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) applies to:
- employers and the self-employed (who provide work equipment);
- businesses even if the work equipment owned is not used by someone from the company, such as if you rent out work equipment to other companies; and
- people using provided work equipment who work from home.
Therefore, if your business falls into any of the categories listed above, you will need the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) article in your ICR ISO Compliance Register.
Legislation related to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
Legislation related to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) include:
- The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
- Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)
- The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
More information
Visit the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) article on the legislation.gov.uk website.
Create an account in the ISO Compliance Register App and add this article to your Register.
