PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) ACOP – L22

The Safemach Ultimate Guide to PUWER is a great resource for those who need to improve the PUWER knowledge prior to reading the PUWER ACOP and / or attending a PUWER training course.

The guide details the PUWER requirements and will set you on your path to PUWER compliance.

Where required, carrying out a PUWER assessment on your work equipment is a legal requirement and not a ‘nice to have’.

1. What Is PUWER

PUWER is a set of UK regulations requiring that work equipment is:

• • Suitable for its intended use
  • Safe to use and maintain
  • Maintained in a safe condition
  • Inspected at suitable intervals
  • Used only by trained & competent personnel

The ACOP (Approved Code of Practice) explains how to comply with the law and is legally significant. By following the guidance, you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law.  If you do not follow the ACOP, you must prove your method of compliance is equally effective.

The ACOP applies to anyone who owns, operates or has control of work equipment, and to organisations whose employees use work equipment, whether owned by them or not.

2. Scope of PUWER (What is “Work Equipment”)

According to the PUWER ACOP, “work equipment” includes any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation used at work. 

 This includes (but is not limited too):

• • Machines (CNC, lathes, saws)
  • Hand tools (powered or non‑powered)
  • Lifting equipment
  • Equipment installations such as production and/or process lines
  • Mobile work equipment (forklifts, scissor lifts, etc.)

The PUWER ACOP states that PUWER applies regardless of the equipment’s age, origin, or condition.

“Use” includes all activities involving work equipment such as starting, stopping, repair, maintenance and servicing.

3. PUWER ACOP

PUWER is divided into logical sections (Regulations). The PUWER ACOP – L22 states the requirements for each of the regulations together with guidance on how to ensure compliance. When compared to the actual text of the regulation, the guidance section provides a lot more details and clarity.

3.1 Suitability of the work equipment (Regulation 4)

Equipment must be suitable for the work and environment that is to be carried out, by construction or adaptation.

You must consider:

• • Conditions (wet, hot, explosive)
  • Ergonomic risks
  • Whether the equipment introduces additional hazards
  • Use of ventilation (LEV) and COSHH 

The ACOP states this is fundamental: unsuitable equipment cannot be made safe simply by training or PPE.

3.2 Maintenance (Regulation 5)

Equipment must be maintained in an efficient working order and in good repair.

ACOP guidance says:

• • Maintenance must be planned and preventive, and carried out a suitable intervals.
  • Maintenance records should be kept.
  • Maintenance activities must not introduce risk. (Guarding, isolation, physical access).
  • Be maintained by trained and competent personnel designated to perform maintenance tasks.

3.3 Inspection (Regulation 6)

Where equipment deteriorates and risks increase over time, it must be inspected at suitable intervals.

This includes:

• • Inspection after installation and before being put into service for the first time.
  • Pre-use checks
  • Inspection after relocation at a new location or site.
  • Periodic inspections and additional statutory examinations
  • Safety related function checks.

Inspectors must be competent and inspections must be recorded.

3.4 Specific Risks (Regulation 7)

If the use of the equipment presents a specific risk, only trained, authorised persons may use and maintain it.

ACOP examples include:

• • Power presses
  • Compactors and bailers
  • High‑risk automated machinery

3.5 Information, Instruction & Training (Regulations 8–9)

Employers must ensure that all users of the work equipment have:

• • Clear instructions
  • Operating manuals
  • Warning systems
  • Adequate training. Training must be regularly reviewed and recorded
  • Supervision by trained personnel

The PUWER ACOP emphasises that personnel must be competent for the tasks they are required to undertake. Attending a training course does not necessarily make someone competent.

3.6 Community Requirements (Regulation 10)

Where the equipment was placed on the market after January 1995, it must:

• • Carry a valid CE / UKCA Mark
  • Have a valid Declaration of Conformity
  • Appear to followed the conformity assessment process
  • Have clear operating instructions including any residual risks (noise, vibration, etc.)

3.7 Dangerous Parts of Machinery (Regulation 11)

Access to dangerous parts of machinery is prevented, following a clear hierarchy of controls:

1. 1. Fixed guards and / or fencing
   2. Suitable interlocked guards and / or fencing
   3. Protection devices, such as light curtains and safety scanners
   4. Information for use, such as manuals and signage.
   5. Organisational controls, such as training and safe systems of work
   6. PPE (last resort)

The PUWER ACOP provides detailed expectations on guard design, construction, and reliability.

3.8 Specific Hazards (Regulation 12)

PUWER requires that the following hazards are assessed and to reduce as low as reasonably practicable:

1. 1. Items or substances falling or being ejected from the equipment
   2. Equipment maintained and operated that prevents mechanical failure, rupture, or disintegration.
   3. Systems implemented to prevent overheating or fire during the operation of the work equipment. 
   4. Discharge systems controlled to prevent unintentional or premature release of substances 
   5. Where there is a risk of explosion, adequate measures are in place to prevent ignition or uncontrolled reactions

3.9 High or Low Temperatures (Regulation 13)

PUWER requires that hot and cold surfaces, including splashes and spills are adequately controlled to prevent injury from burns, scalds or cold contact.

Controls include:

• •  Guarding, insulation and shielding.
  • Warning signs, alarms or indicators.
  • Safe systems or work

Where possible, engineering controls must be implemented before PPE and training.

 

3.10 Controls & Control Systems (Regulations 14–18)

PUWER requires that machinery has safe:

• • Start controls (no accidental starting of the equipment)
  • Stop controls
  • Readily accessible emergency stops (latching red actuator with a yellow background)
  • Accessible isolation points for all sources of energy, that are clearly marked
  • Control system integrity, such as design, maintenance and component selection.
  • All controls are clearly visible, identifiable and appropriately marked.

ACOP states operating control systems must not place the user in danger, introduce any new hazards and that they must fail to a safe state.

3.11 Isolation (Regulation 19)

Equipment must have clearly identified isolation points that are lockable in the OFF (0) position, preventing reconnection until safe to do so by authorised personnel.

ACOP highlights:

• • Lock-off points for all sources of energy, including electrical, pneumatic, gravity, hydraulic, etc.
  • Energy dissipation systems for stored energy (where required)
  • Clear labelling and markings

3.12 Markings & Warnings (Regulations 23–24)

Equipment must carry:

• • Mandatory safety markings, such as Function, Substances and Load.
  • Warning signs
  • Labels identifying residual risks

ACOP requires warnings to be visible, durable, and unambiguous. See EN 7010 so additional information on warning signs. Take care not to use the incorrect pictogram or confusing text.

4. Definition Of Competence Under The PUWER ACOP

The ACOP states that competence means:

• • Knowledge of equipment
  • Training
  • Experience
  • Supervision

Attitude of the assessor is also an important factor.

Note that simply attending a course does not guarantee competence—ongoing assessment is required. It is important to record your CPD.

5. When PUWER Inspections Are Required

The ACOP states PUWER inspections must be carried out:

• • After installation of the equipment and before being placed into service for the first time
  • After relocation to another location (even if its to the other side of the factory)
  • At defined intervals determined by a competent person
  • Following exceptional events (incident, damage, flood, collision)
  • When risk of deterioration exists due to operating conditions
  • When the work equipment leave your undertaking (prior to selling), it must be accompanied by a PUWER assessment report.

6. The PUWER ACOP’s Legal Status

The ACOP has special legal status:

• • Following and meeting the requirement of the ACOP = you are considered compliant
  • Not following it = you must prove your alternative method is equally safe

Failing to comply with PUWER can lead to improvement notices, prohibition notices, fines, prosecution and even imprisonment.

7. What a PUWER Assessment Should Include

A suitable and sufficient PUWER assessment typically covers:

• • Equipment identification
  • Safety function checks
  • Guarding adequacy
  • Emergency stop performance
  • Stability
  • Controls and interlocks
  • Isolation systems
  • Maintenance access
  • Markings and warnings
  • Training & competence evidence
  • Residual risk documentation

These requirements from the ACOP guidance explain how each regulation must be evaluated.

PUWER reports should ‘stand up on their own’, meaning they are sufficiently detailed to enable the reader to understand which equipment the report was produced for. Risk assessments shall be suitable and sufficient, meaning is the assessor looking at the right things and are they looked at in enough detail.

Where non-compliances to the PUWER Regulations exist, the non-compliance must be risk assessed and suitable control measures implemented to reduce the risk As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP).

8. PUWER and other Regulations

The PUWER ACOP links PUWER into other legislation:

• • HSWA 1974 – general employer duties
  • LOLER – lifting operations and lifting equipment
  • Machinery Regulations (CE/UKCA) – conformity of new machinery
  • DSEAR – explosive atmospheres
  • COSHH – exposure to hazardous substances

PUWER focuses on the safe use of equipment after is put into service (CE/UKCA sets out the requirements for manufacturers).

9. Practical Steps to Achieve PUWER Compliance

Based on guidance from the PUWER ACOP, employers and duty holders must:

• • Ensure equipment is suitable, safe, and maintained
  • Perform PUWER inspections
  • Carryout operational and maintenance risk assessments
  • Ensure adequate training is carried out and documented
  • Implement safe systems of work
  • Keep maintenance and inspection records
  • Introduce guarding and control safety measures preventing access to dangerous parts of machinery
  • Manage the competence of operators and maintenance personnel
  • Review assessments periodically and after modifications

ACOP makes clear that PUWER is an ongoing process, not a one‑off exercise. Depending on the risks associated with the equipment, we would recommend that PUWER assessments are reviewed every 24 months.

Please contact Safemach to learn more about PUWER and your responsibilities.