Who is competent to carry out a PUWER inspection?
Understand how knowledge, experience, equipment complexity and inspection scope determine the competence required.
A PUWER inspection should be performed by someone with sufficient knowledge and experience to identify deterioration or defects and judge their significance for the equipment and circumstances.
Understanding puwer competent person
Competence is task-specific. A trained user may complete a limited pre-use check, while complex safeguarding or control-system inspection may require specialist engineering knowledge.
Apply the requirements in proportion to the actual work equipment, use and risks, using current HSE guidance and competent advice.
A practical approach
Define the inspection scope first, then identify the knowledge, practical experience, training, independence and authority needed to make reliable decisions.
Define responsibility, applicable criteria and escalation before collecting more data.
- Relevant equipment knowledge
- Practical inspection experience
- Understanding of failure significance
- Authority to escalate or restrict use
Evidence and continual control
Retain competence evidence and escalation routes. Job title alone does not demonstrate that a person can inspect every type of work equipment.
Review exceptions and outcomes regularly so the process improves rather than becoming static administration.
Authoritative guidance
Use these primary sources alongside your organisation's competent technical and legal advice.
PUWER competent person FAQs
Why does puwer competent person matter?
A PUWER inspection should be performed by someone with sufficient knowledge and experience to identify deterioration or defects and judge their significance for the equipment and circumstances.
What should an organisation document?
Retain competence evidence and escalation routes. Job title alone does not demonstrate that a person can inspect every type of work equipment.
Can software replace competent judgement?
No. Software can organise workflow and evidence, but technical, legal and safety decisions remain with competent and authorised people.
Strengthen risk and inspection control
Connect inspections, risk and corrective work.
Maintarium Pro connects controlled inspections and risk records with equipment status and accountable action.
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