Every year, contact with moving machinery causes around 20 fatalities and over 1,800 non-fatal injuries in UK workplaces. PUWER — the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 — exists to prevent exactly this. It applies to every piece of equipment used at work, in every sector, regardless of whether the equipment is new, old, owned, hired, or brought in by employees. A furniture factory was fined £90,000 after an employee lost fingers on an unguarded woodworking machine — and no maintenance records or risk assessments existed. A car manufacturer paid £200,000 for running defective vehicle lifts. The HSE does not accept gaps in documentation as excuses. This guide gives you the complete PUWER compliance framework, the inspection checklist, and a system that keeps your records current automatically. Sign up free to manage your PUWER schedule in OxMaint, or book a demo with a UK compliance specialist.
20
fatalities per year from contact with moving machinery in UK workplaces
1,800+
non-fatal injuries annually from machinery and work equipment contact
25%
of UK workplace fatalities from being struck by a moving vehicle — all covered by PUWER
Unlimited
fines in Crown Court for PUWER non-compliance — no cap
PUWER Applies to Every Sector — Is Your Equipment on This List?
Work equipment means "any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for use at work" — the widest possible definition. If an employee uses it at work, PUWER applies.
Manufacturing
CNC machines, lathes, milling machines, presses, conveyor systems, grinders, band saws, welding equipment
Construction
Cement mixers, compressors, power tools, excavators, scaffolding systems, cranes, dumper trucks
Facilities / Offices
HVAC plant, boilers, compressors, shredders, kitchen appliances, electrical distribution equipment
Warehousing
Forklifts, pallet trucks, conveyor systems, dock levellers, racking systems, powered doors
Agriculture
Tractors, irrigation systems, harvesting equipment, hand tools, spraying equipment
Healthcare
Diagnostic machines, surgical equipment, defibrillators, sterilisation equipment, patient handling aids
PUWER also covers equipment owned by employees that their employer permits them to use at work, hired or leased equipment, and second-hand equipment — regardless of age or origin.
PUWER Regulation by Regulation — Your Compliance Obligations
PUWER contains 35 regulations. The core compliance obligations for most UK businesses sit within Regulations 4 through 11. Here is what each requires — and what the HSE will look for when they visit.
Reg 4
Suitability of Work Equipment
Equipment must be suitable for its intended use, the conditions in which it is used, and the purpose for which it is provided. This includes an implicit requirement for pre-use checks by operators before every use — the HSE considers operator pre-use checks to be part of Regulation 4 compliance.
Evidence Required: Equipment selection records, pre-use check logs, risk assessment confirming suitability
Reg 5
Maintenance
Equipment must be maintained in an efficient state, efficient working order, and in good repair. Regulation 5 sets out the state to be achieved — not the specific method. Maintenance records must be kept up to date. If equipment deteriorates to a dangerous state, this is a direct breach of Regulation 5 regardless of whether inspections were conducted.
Evidence Required: Maintenance log, work order records showing completion dates, defect resolution records
Reg 6
Inspection
Inspection is required in three specific circumstances: before first use or after installation; at suitable intervals where equipment is exposed to deteriorating conditions; and after exceptional circumstances such as major modifications, suspected damage, or substantial change in use. Inspection intervals are risk-based — not fixed by the regulation — and must be determined by risk assessment.
Evidence Required: Inspection records showing date, scope, findings, and competent person. Must be available to HSE on request.
Reg 8
Information and Instructions
Operators must be given adequate information and written instructions on the conditions in which the equipment may be used, foreseeable abnormal situations, and conclusions drawn from experience of using the equipment. This must be comprehensible to those likely to use it.
Evidence Required: Operating procedures, equipment manuals, risk assessments confirming information was provided
Reg 9
Training
All persons who use, supervise, or manage the use of work equipment must receive adequate training including the methods in which the equipment may be used safely, any risks to health and safety, and the precautions to be taken. Training records must be held and available.
Evidence Required: Signed training records per operator, competency assessments, dates of completion
Reg 11
Dangerous Parts of Machinery
Measures must be taken to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery or to stop movement before a person enters a dangerous zone. Fixed guards are the preferred option; where these are not practicable, interlocked guards, protection devices, or jigs and push sticks in that order of preference. Guards must be maintained in good order and inspected regularly.
Evidence Required: Guard inspection records, risk assessment justifying guarding method, maintenance records for guarding systems
All PUWER Inspection Records — Automated, Tracked, and Audit-Ready
OxMaint schedules PUWER inspections based on your risk assessment intervals, assigns tasks to named engineers, and builds your compliance record automatically at every closure — no separate admin step. Sign up free and get your PUWER schedule running today.
PUWER Inspection Checklist — By Equipment Category
PUWER inspection scope varies by equipment type. Use this category-specific checklist to structure inspections that satisfy both Regulation 6 and the maintenance obligations of Regulation 5. Every item checked must be recorded — an inspection without a record does not exist in the eyes of the HSE.
Machinery and Production Equipment
All guards in position — fixed, interlocked, or adjustable as specified
Emergency stop devices functional — test actuation and reset
Safety interlocks — confirm operation prevents movement when guard is open
Isolator and energy lock-off devices — condition and labelling
Control devices — labelling, function, and accessibility
Drive mechanisms — belts, chains, gears — condition and guarding
Structural condition — frame, mountings, vibration evidence
Warnings and markings — current, legible, and correctly positioned
Electrical and Powered Equipment
Cable condition — insulation, routing, securing, and connector integrity
Plugs, sockets, and switching devices — condition and IP rating appropriate to environment
Earthing continuity — confirm at last inspection or test
Overload protection — fuse ratings appropriate and circuit breakers operational
Motor and drive unit — temperature, vibration, noise assessment
Control panel condition — labelling, ventilation, no unauthorised modifications
PAT test status — current and records held
Evidence of previous defects — confirm resolved and closed on record
Mobile and Transport Equipment
Braking systems — service brake, parking brake, and emergency brake
Steering and stability — function under working load conditions
Lights, horns, and warning devices — function test
Operator protective structures — ROPS/FOPS condition where fitted
Tyres or tracks — condition and pressure where applicable
Hydraulic systems — condition, leaks, hose routing and security
Operator seat and restraint — condition and adjustment
Pre-use check log — current, dated, and accessible at vehicle
Hand Tools and Portable Equipment
Tool condition — blades, heads, handles — integrity and security
Guards on angle grinders, circular saws — present and functional
Trigger lock and dead-man controls — operation confirmed
Battery or fuel system — condition and appropriate storage
RPM rating — disc/blade rated for tool speed
Anti-vibration handles — condition on high-vibration tools
Ladder and access equipment — condition, feet, locking devices
Equipment tagged out of service — confirmed removed from use
When PUWER Inspection Is Triggered — The 3 Legal Circumstances
Trigger 1
Installation and First Use
Equipment must be inspected after installation and before first use where safety depends on installation conditions. Also applies after reassembly at a new site or location. Covers newly purchased equipment, relocated plant, and equipment returned after significant repair.
Typical Examples
New CNC machine after installation and commissioning — press after relocation to a new production cell — conveyor system after rebuilding at new facility
Trigger 2
Deterioration Risk — Periodic Inspection
Where equipment is exposed to conditions causing deterioration that is liable to result in a dangerous situation, inspection at suitable intervals is required. Intervals are set by risk assessment — not by a fixed statutory period. The interval must reflect the risk of deterioration, the consequences of failure, and how quickly defects could develop.
Typical Examples
Press brakes in high-cycle production — power tools in wet or outdoor environments — machinery with wear-sensitive guarding in continuous operation
Trigger 3
Exceptional Circumstances
Inspection is required after any circumstances that may have jeopardised the safe condition of equipment. This is not optional — it is a legal requirement. Continuing to use equipment that has been through an exceptional circumstance without inspection is a direct breach of PUWER Regulation 6.
Typical Examples
Forklift involved in collision — machine after suspected overload — press after known or suspected component failure — equipment after fire or flood exposure
Inspection Triggered? OxMaint Raises the Work Order Automatically
Periodic PUWER inspection tasks are auto-triggered at the intervals you set. Exceptional-circumstance inspections can be raised on mobile in seconds and linked to the originating incident record. Book a demo to see how PUWER triggers work in OxMaint.
PUWER vs LOLER — Which Regulation Applies to Your Equipment
Many pieces of equipment are covered by both PUWER and LOLER simultaneously. Understanding which obligations apply — and where they overlap — prevents both duplication and gaps in your compliance records.
Equipment
PUWER
LOLER
Which Governs
CNC machine / press
Yes
No
PUWER only
Forklift truck
Yes
Yes
Both — PUWER for non-lifting, LOLER for lifting elements
Passenger lift
Yes
Yes
LOLER thorough examination + PUWER maintenance
Overhead crane
Yes
Yes
LOLER thorough examination + PUWER for controls and structure
Angle grinder / power tool
Yes
No
PUWER only
Vehicle tail lift
Yes
Yes
Both — LOLER for lifting, PUWER for vehicle and safety systems
Boiler / pressure vessel
Yes
No
PUWER + PSSR (pressure systems)
UK PUWER Compliance — Free to Start
PUWER Compliance Is a System. OxMaint Makes It Automatic.
Asset register, risk-based inspection scheduling, mobile checklists, defect-to-work-order linking, and timestamped audit records — everything PUWER requires, automated from day one. Deployed in 5 to 7 working days, free to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often must PUWER inspections be carried out — is there a fixed interval?
PUWER Regulation 6 does not specify a fixed inspection interval — unlike LOLER. Instead, the interval must be determined by risk assessment, based on how quickly the equipment deteriorates under its working conditions and the consequences of a failure. Low-risk hand tools might only need annual inspection; high-cycle production machinery in aggressive environments may need monthly checks. The risk assessment must justify the interval chosen, and that justification must be documented. Sign up free to configure risk-based inspection intervals per asset in OxMaint.
Can in-house maintenance engineers conduct PUWER inspections, or must a third party be used?
PUWER requires inspection by a competent person — defined as someone with sufficient practical and theoretical knowledge and experience to assess the equipment's condition. Unlike LOLER, which requires independence from those responsible for maintenance, PUWER does not have an explicit independence requirement. In-house engineers with the right competence can conduct PUWER inspections. However, their competence must be demonstrable — qualifications, experience records, and training logs must be held. Book a demo to see how OxMaint stores competency records per engineer.
What records must be held after a PUWER inspection?
Inspection records must show the scope of the inspection, the date, who carried it out, what was found, and any actions taken. They must be available to the HSE on request — not held at a central office while the equipment is on a remote site. Records must be kept until the next inspection is completed, though retaining the full equipment history is strongly recommended for audit and insurance purposes. Defect records must show the defect identified, the action taken to resolve it, and the date it was closed.
Does PUWER apply to equipment that employees bring from home for use at work?
Yes. PUWER explicitly covers equipment owned by employees that their employer permits them to use for work. If an employee uses their own drill, their own laptop, or any other personal equipment at work with the employer's knowledge and permission, the employer has PUWER obligations for that equipment. This is a commonly missed area — particularly in construction, fieldwork, and flexible working arrangements where personal tools are routinely used.
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