PROVISION AND USE OF WORK EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS 1998 (PUWER)
Statutory Instrument 1998 No. 2306
Atlantic Bridge Limited can provide Training Courses on PUWER and also advice in specific situations.
The following is an overview of PUWER, but the regulations should always be referred to for the definitive text.
Background, and Scope
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 applies wherever the UK Health and Safety at Work Act is legally binding. It covers the employer’s responsibilities to ensure that every piece of work equipment provided or used is suitable for use and “safe” . This includes any tools brought onto site by others.
The employer must also ensure that it is used, and continues to be used, only for operations and conditions which are suitable. This responsibility includes, maintaining and inspecting the equipment, providing adequate information on its safe use, and ensuring only persons adequately trained use the equipment.
Furthermore employers should ensure that equipment has suitable safety devices such as guards and is adequately marked with any warnings that are necessary. Equipment should comply with the Essential Requirements of the applicable European Directives such as the ATEX, LCD, Machinery, Personal Protective Equipment, Pressure Equipment, and other CE Marking Directives.
Scope: The regulations apply to any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for use at work. This includes anything from simple hand tools to large machines.
Key Responsibilities of Employers
Providing Suitable Equipment. The employer should ensure equipment is designed and/or modified to be suitable for use in the working conditions. For example:
- In a potentially explosive atmosphere the equipment should remain safe to use;
- On a wet floor a ladder should remain secure.
- In conditions of electro-magnetic disturbance the equipment should not malfunction.
- In poor light, suitable lighting should be provided.
Maintenance. The employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in efficient working order so it can be operated safely. Maintenance logs, if required , should kept up to date.
Inspection. Employers shall ensure that work equipment is inspected to ensure that is safe to operate:
- After installation, and before being put into service.
- At suitable intervals to prevent danger from deterioration.
- When exceptional circumstances require it.
Inspections shall be recorded. Transfer of equipment requires that evidence of up-to-date inspection is provided.
Information and instructions. Employers shall ensure that persons supervising, managing or using work equipment have adequate health and safety information, including:
- the conditions
- methods
- abnormal situations
- and the actions to be taken to maintain safety
Information and instructions shall be readily comprehensible. E.g. language in the case of migrant workers, clarity and brevity, and the use of pictures and pictograms.
Training. Persons who use work equipment must receive adequate training identifying:
- Methods of use
- Any risks and precautions to be taken
This training shall also include supervisors and managers.
Dangerous parts of machinery. In addition to ensuring that all equipment meets European Directives, employers are to provide adequate guarding and other means to;
- prevent access to any dangerous part of machinery
- to stop the movement of any dangerous part of machinery before any part of a person enters a danger zone.
Guards and protection devices shall not be easily bypassed or disabled and should remain suitable for the duration of the use of the machinery. Consider : the construction of the devices, obstructing views of the machinery, the need for regular maintenance or the device and the ease of maintenance or the machine, continuing protection during maintenance, safe distance from danger zone, the introduction of other hazards etc.
Hazard identification and Risk Assessment. The employer is responsible for identifying specific hazards assessing their risks and taking actions to reduce the risk to an acceptable level. The regulations require consideration of measures to minimise the effects of the hazard as well as to reduce the likelihood of the hazard occurring. See the regulations for lists of specific hazards to consider. In addition EN 1050 provides more advice on hazards.
Further Considerations called for by the Regulations. Employers should refer to the regulations for the detail of the requirements which include:
- Control systems including starting, topping and emergency stopping.
- High and low Temperatures
- Stability
- Lighting
- Markings
- and Warnings
Specific Applications of the Regulations
The regulations call for employers to take specific action for:
- Mobile work equipment including self propelled and remotely operated equipment
- Power presses
Conclusion
All employers should consider PUWER. Care should be taken to ensure that all work equipment is suitable and safe to be used in the particular conditions of use. CE Marked machinery should meet PUWER, but it is still the employer’s responsibility to show it is suitable; personal tools also come under the employer’s responsibilities.
If you are experiencing difficulties Atlantic Bridge Ltd can offer training and help to meet your responsibilities under PUWER.