The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) regulations set out the requirements on every employer to ensure that work equipment is suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided.
Employers must 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. They must ensure that risk assessments take into account both the risks of use, and the risks of the equipment.
The PUWER regulations set out requirements under 5 Parts:
PUWER regulations cover how work equipment is used, including starting or stopping the equipment, repairing, modifying, maintaining, servicing, cleaning and transporting. In general, the regulations 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 regulations 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. The regulations also include less obvious tools such as hammers, knives and ladders.
When working with lifting equipment, the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) will also apply.
