PUWER Compliance
Safemach will carryout PUWER inspections on your machinery and automation to ensure your staff, visitors and contractors are safe and your business achieves PUWER compliance.
We are specialists in PUWER inspections for automated machinery, as found in warehouses and distribution centres, automotive manufacture, production lines, manufacturing systems, food and beverage, paper & plastics, etc.
We can inspect a single machine through to multiple sites. We use MachineSafe PUWER Software to plan and manage your PUWER inspections.
Who is responsible for PUWER?
PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) place duties upon individuals and companies who own, operate or control work equipment. PUWER also places responsibilities on businesses and organisations whose employees use work equipment, whether owned by them or not.
What is PUWER?
PUWER comprises of various Regulations that must be satisfied where applicable to ensure that work equipment (and machinery) is: suitable for 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 guarding, emergency stop devices, adequate means of isolation from sources of energy, clearly visible markings and warning devices and for mobile work equipment and power presses, used in accordance with specific requirements.
Some work equipment is subject to other health and safety legislation in addition to PUWER.
Why should we carry out a PUWER inspection?
“The purpose of an inspection is to identify whether the equipment can be operated, adjusted and maintained safely and that any deterioration (for example, any defect, damage or wear) can be detected and remedied before it results in unacceptable risks.”
When do PUWER Inspections need to be carried out?
Every employer shall ensure that:
Where the safety of work equipment depends on the installation conditions, it is inspected after installation and before being put into service for the first time or after assembly at a new site or location.
Where work equipment is exposed to conditions causing deterioration which is liable to result in dangerous situations, it is inspected at suitable intervals and each time exceptional circumstances occur which are liable to jeopardise the safety of the work equipment.
Ensure that inspection records are kept until the next inspection is recorded.
No work equipment leaves their undertaking unless it is accompanied by physical evidence that the last inspection required has been carried out.
We recommend that a PUWER inspection is carried out following modifications and before being returned into service.
In addition, PUWER reassessments should also be carried out from 12 to 36 months depending on the hazards associated with the work equipment and the environment the work equipment is used in, as this can accelerate deterioration. Safemach also carryout periodic reassessments and reassessments when non-compliances have been addressed to ensure and risk has been reduced to an acceptable level.
Safemach and PUWER Inspections
PUWER inspections must be carried out by a competent person who has the necessary knowledge and experience.
Safemach carry out PUWER inspections and provide you with a detailed report which includes a PUWER risk assessments for non-compliant items. Our certified machinery safety engineers will support you in resolving any non-compliance topics highlighted in the PUWER assessment. Safemach use Machinesafe Compliance PUWER Software when carrying out PUWER inspections.
Please contact Safemach to discuss your PUWER inspections and achieving PUWER compliance.
PUWER FAQ's
PUWER stands for Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, and details the end-users or hire companies obligations.
Please contact Safemach if you have any questions regarding your obligations under PUWER
The Approved Code of Practice and guidance is aimed at employers, duty holders and anyone who has responsibility for the safe use of work equipment.
The PUWER ACOP has been approved by the Health and Safety Executive, with the consent of the Secretary of State. It gives practical advice on how to comply with the law. If you follow the advice you will be doing enough to comply with the law in respect of those specific matters on which the PUWER ACOP gives advice.
However, the PUWER ACOP has a special legal status. If you are prosecuted for breach of health and safety law, and it is proved that you did not follow the relevant provisions of the PUWER ACOP, you will need to show that you have complied with the law in some other way or a Court will find you at fault.
More information can be found here.
LOLER is a Regulation that maybe applied in addition to PUWER and stand for Lifting Operations Lifting Equipment Regulations. LOLER is required when the work equipment is used for lifting, such as hoists and lifting accessories.
Safemach carry out LOLER examinations of small lifting equipment and lifting accessories.
PUWER applies to work equipment wherever the Health & Safety at Work Act applies.
There are a number of instances when PUWER must be applied, such as new equipment before it is put into service for the 1st time.
Please contact Safemach if you have any questions regarding PUWER assessments.
Yes, even if you buy a new machine, it must still be assessed under PUWER before it is put into service for the 1st time.
The person carrying out the PUWER assessment should be competent, having suitable knowledge, skills and training. It is also important that the person has the physical ability to carryout the assessment and suitable attitude.
Safemach are specialists in carrying out PUWER assessments on automated machinery.
Safemach provide a 3-day PUWER Assessors training course and a 1-day Introduction to PUWER training course.
An inspection company, such as Safemach will visit your company to assess your machinery against the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) and where a non-compliance is found, a risk assessment will be carried out highlighting if any control measures are required to reduce the risk to an acceptable level. Following the assessment, a full report will be provided.
Safemach are specialists in carrying out PUWER assessments of machinery and automation.
We have extensive experience working in various industries, including warehousing and distribution, automotive, food and beverage, paper and plastic, etc.
We work with our clients in order to resolve non-compliances and to create a safe and compliant workplace.
Choose Safemach to be your safety and compliance partner.
PUWER inspections, PUWER compliance.
If you have any questions on PUWER compliance or the requirements of PUWER, then please book a call with us for a no-obligations discussion.
Safemach carryout PUWER inspections in Swindon, Wiltshire and throughout the UK. We also carryout Use of Work Equipment Directive inspections for our customers in Europe.