What is PUWER and what does it require?
Understand how PUWER applies to work equipment, suitability, maintenance, inspection, safeguards, information and training.
PUWER is the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. It places duties on organisations that own, operate or control work equipment and requires equipment to be suitable, maintained, inspected where necessary and used by adequately informed and trained people.
Understanding what is puwer?
PUWER covers an exceptionally broad range of work equipment and activities involving its use. Compliance begins with equipment selection and continues through installation, operation, maintenance, inspection and change.
Apply the requirements in proportion to the actual work equipment, use and risks, using current HSE guidance and competent advice.
A practical approach
Identify the equipment in scope, assess risks, establish maintenance and inspection arrangements, provide safeguards and instructions, and make competence responsibilities clear.
Define responsibility, applicable criteria and escalation before collecting more data.
- Equipment suitability
- Maintenance and inspection
- Guards and protective devices
- Information, instruction and training
Evidence and continual control
Treat PUWER as a lifecycle duty rather than an annual form. Records should show how identified risks, deterioration and defects are controlled.
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.
What is PUWER? FAQs
Why does what is puwer? matter?
PUWER is the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. It places duties on organisations that own, operate or control work equipment and requires equipment to be suitable, maintained, inspected where necessary and used by adequately informed and trained people.
What should an organisation document?
Treat PUWER as a lifecycle duty rather than an annual form. Records should show how identified risks, deterioration and defects are controlled.
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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