Work Equipment (PUWER)

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998*

(PUWER 98) Regulation 4 states:

1. Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adapted as to be suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided

2. In selecting work equipment, every employer shall have regard to the working conditions and to the risks to the health and safety of persons which exist in the premises or undertaking in which that work equipment is to be used and any additional risk posed by the use of that work equipment.

3. Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is used only for operations for which, and under conditions for which, it is suitable.

PUWER covers all work equipment and any activity involving the equipment – including starting, stopping, programming, setting, transporting, repairing, modifying, maintaining, servicing and cleaning.

Users must carry out risk assessments and make sure that all equipment is both safely installed and safe to use. Regular inspections must be carried out by a competent person and documented.

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* Contains public sector information published by the Health and Safety Executive and licensed under the Open Government Licence.