PUWER (Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations)

Arthian’s consultants provide PUWER assessments to ensure work equipment is safe, compliant, and fit for purpose. We help organisations meet UK regulatory requirements, reduce risks, and protect employees across diverse industries.

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PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations)

PUWER Compliance: Safe Equipment. Safer Workplaces.

PUWER stands for Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, a UK legal framework requiring employers and the self-employed to ensure that work equipment is suitable, safe, and properly maintained.

PUWER applies to:

Machinery and tools (from hand tools to complex installations)
Mobile work equipment and power presses
Any equipment used by employees at work, including personal tools

Key Requirements:

Equipment must be suitable for its intended purpose
Maintained in a safe condition and inspected regularly
Used only by trained and competent personnel
Fitted with appropriate safety measures (guards, emergency stops, isolation devices)

Why PUWER Compliance Matters

PUWER compliance is not just a legal requirement, it’s a critical safeguard for workplace safety and operational integrity. Work equipment is often the source of serious injuries and fatalities, and failure to comply with PUWER can have devastating consequences.

Why it matters:

Prevent Serious Injuries & Fatalities: Contact with moving machinery, inadequate guarding, and poor maintenance are among the top causes of workplace accidents. PUWER ensures these risks are controlled.
Legal Protection: Non-compliance can result in unlimited fines, enforcement notices, and even prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Operational Continuity: Equipment-related incidents lead to costly downtime, production delays, and reputational damage.
Safety Culture: PUWER compliance fosters accountability and a proactive approach to risk management across your organization.
Insurance & Liability: Demonstrating PUWER compliance can reduce insurance premiums and protect against liability claims.

Our PUWER Services

We deliver a comprehensive PUWER solution, including:

PUWER Risk Assessment

PUWER Inspections

PUWER Training

Compliance Audits & Documentation

Industries We Serve

PUWER Risk Assessment

A PUWER risk assessment is the foundation of compliance. We identify hazards associated with your work equipment and provide actionable solutions to eliminate or control them.

What we deliver:

Comprehensive inspection of machinery and work equipment
Identification of guarding, control, and isolation deficiencies
Risk prioritization and cost-effective action plans
Integration with your existing safety management system
Digital reporting with photographic evidence and compliance scoring

PUWER Inspections

Regular inspections ensure that equipment remains safe and compliant throughout its lifecycle. Our inspections go beyond a checklist—they provide real insight into equipment condition and compliance gaps.

What we deliver:

Scheduled PUWER inspections for new, modified, or relocated equipment
Condition monitoring and wear analysis
Verification of safety devices (guards, emergency stops, isolation points)
Digital inspection reports with clear recommendations
Support for remedial actions and follow-up audits

PUWER Training

Knowledge is key to compliance. We provide practical, competency-based training for operators, maintenance teams, and managers.

What we deliver:

Certified PUWER Assessor training for internal compliance teams
Operator and maintenance staff competency programs
Practical workshops on hazard identification and control measures
Digital learning modules for ongoing refresher training
Assessment and certification for regulatory assurance

Compliance Audits & Documentation

Audits and documentation are essential for demonstrating compliance to regulators and insurers. We help you stay audit-ready and fully documented.

What we deliver:

Full compliance audits against PUWER and related standards
Action tracking and progress dashboards for management visibility
Support for CE/UKCA marking and Machinery Directive alignment
Development of PUWER compliance registers and inspection logs
Integration with digital compliance platforms for real-time monitoring

Industries We Serve

Manufacturing & Engineering
Food & Beverage & Distilling
Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals
Energy & Renewables
Waste Management & Recycling

PUWER Risk Assessment

A PUWER risk assessment is the foundation of compliance. We identify hazards associated with your work equipment and provide actionable solutions to eliminate or control them.

What we deliver:

Comprehensive inspection of machinery and work equipment
Identification of guarding, control, and isolation deficiencies
Risk prioritization and cost-effective action plans
Integration with your existing safety management system
Digital reporting with photographic evidence and compliance scoring

PUWER Inspections

What we deliver:

Scheduled PUWER inspections for new, modified, or relocated equipment
Condition monitoring and wear analysis
Verification of safety devices (guards, emergency stops, isolation points)
Digital inspection reports with clear recommendations
Support for remedial actions and follow-up audits

PUWER Training

Knowledge is key to compliance. We provide practical, competency-based training for operators, maintenance teams, and managers.

What we deliver:

Certified PUWER Assessor training for internal compliance teams
Operator and maintenance staff competency programs
Practical workshops on hazard identification and control measures
Digital learning modules for ongoing refresher training
Assessment and certification for regulatory assurance

Compliance Audits & Documentation

Audits and documentation are essential for demonstrating compliance to regulators and insurers. We help you stay audit-ready and fully documented.

What we deliver:

Full compliance audits against PUWER and related standards
Action tracking and progress dashboards for management visibility
Support for CE/UKCA marking and Machinery Directive alignment
Development of PUWER compliance registers and inspection logs
Integration with digital compliance platforms for real-time monitoring

Industries We Serve

Manufacturing & Engineering
Food & Beverage & Distilling
Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals
Energy & Renewables
Waste Management & Recycling

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between HAZID and HAZOP?

HAZID is a high-level screening of potential hazards across systems and layouts. HAZOP is a more detailed study that examines how process deviations might lead to safety or operability issues.

When is a HAZOP typically required?

It’s most commonly carried out during detailed design or pre-commissioning stages, but can also support Management of Change and major modifications.

Do you facilitate the studies and provide documentation?

Yes—we lead workshops, document outcomes, and support clients with action tracking and study reports ready for internal use or regulatory submission.

Can HAZOP findings support other safety assessments?

Absolutely. HAZOP outputs often inform risk ranking, mitigation plans, and are used in preparing COMAH safety reports or other regulatory deliverables.

Get in Touch

We’d love to hear from you – whether you have a question, a project in mind, want to explore job opportunities, or just want to say hello.

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PUWER (Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations)

PUWER Compliance: Safe Equipment. Safer Workplaces.

Why PUWER Compliance Matters

Our PUWER Services

PUWER Risk Assessment

PUWER Inspections

PUWER Training

Compliance Audits & Documentation

Industries We Serve

PUWER Risk Assessment

PUWER Inspections

PUWER Training

Compliance Audits & Documentation

Industries We Serve

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between HAZID and HAZOP?

When is a HAZOP typically required?

Do you facilitate the studies and provide documentation?

Can HAZOP findings support other safety assessments?

Get in Touch