The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, commonly abbreviated to PUWER 1998 or simply PUWER, is a statutory instrument of the United Kingdom (1998 No. 2306). It regulates the standards of safety for equipment used in work environments. Its obligations apply to both employers and employees, as well as those who provide equipment for others to use at work. PUWER was established under delegated powers enshrined in the

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c. 37) (HSWA 1974, HASWA or HASAWA) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that defines the fundamental structure and authority for the encouragement, regulation and enforcement of work ...

. The

Health and Safety Executive The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is a British public body responsible for the encouragement, regulation and enforcement of workplace health, safety and welfare. It has additionally adopted a research role into occupational risks in Great B ...

(HSE) is the statutory body in charge of enforcing PUWER.

Background

The PUWER 1998 legislation replaced the 1992 regulations and seeks to address, control and prevent workers risk of injury and death from equipment they use during the course of their jobs. In addition to the requirements laid out in the PUWER legislation, some types of equipment may be subject to other specific legislation. For example, equipment used for lifting (such as fork lifts) are also subject to the requirements of the

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) are set of regulations created under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 which came into force in Great Britain on 5 December 1998 and replaced a number of other pie ...

pressure equipment
must meet the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations, and Personal Protective Equipment must meet th
PPE Regulations
The regulations apply to any employer or self-employed worker who uses equipment at work but not equipment used by the public which comes under the

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c. 37) (HSWA 1974, HASWA or HASAWA) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that defines the fundamental structure and authority for the encouragement, regulation and enforcement of workp ...

. PUWER covers all work equipment from office furniture through to complex machinery and company cars and is also applicable if a company allows a worker to use their own equipment in the work place. All new machinery should carry a

CE mark The presence of the logo on Product (business), commercial products indicates that the Manufacturing, manufacturer or importer affirms the goods' conformity with European Environment, health and safety, health, safety, and environmental prote ...

,CE Marking
UKCA marking from its manufacturer to prove its compliance with safety laws. When a CE mark is not relevant then responsibility of the equipment’s safety and up keeping can fall to the organisation.

Requirements of PUWER

The main requirements of PUWER for organisations are to ensure that the equipment used is suitable for its purpose, maintained to be safe and not risk health and safety and inspected at suitable intervals by a competent worker, who should record the results.

External links

Simple guide to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

References

{{reflist United Kingdom labour law 1998 in British law 1998 in the United Kingdom 1998 in labor relations Statutory instruments of the United Kingdom