Reset Password

Welcome to our new website

If you have previously had an account with us, please use the forgotten password link to reset your password here. This does not include the password for our CAT system, your existing password will still work. Thank you.

Arcoservices > Health and Safety News > Safe use of work equipment

Safe use of work equipment

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Approved Code of Practice and guidance.

 

This Approved Code of Practice and guidance is aimed at employers, dutyholders and anyone who has responsibility for the safe use of work equipment, such as managers and supervisors. It sets out what is needed to comply with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. The Regulations, commonly known as PUWER, place duties on people and companies who own, operate or have control over work equipment. PUWER also places responsibilities on businesses and organisations whose employees use work equipment, whether owned by them or not.

Changes since the last edition:

  • The guidance material has been revised and updated, and there are small changes to some ACOP paragraphs to clarify and update information
  • Time-limited information has been removed or updated, and more use has been made of lists
  • This edition updates references to legislation and links to further guidance

 

To buy or download a free pdf copy follow this link: http://books.hse.gov.uk/hse/public/saleproduct.jsf?catalogueCode=9780717666195

 

About this book

This publication sets out what you should do to comply with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). The Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) text and associated guidance provide practical advice on how you can comply with the requirements of the regulations.

 

Who should read this book?

Employers, dutyholders and anyone else who has responsibility and/or control – directly or indirectly – for work equipment, such as managers and supervisors. Throughout this book we have referred to the employer and self-employed people who have duties as ‘you’. Where the guidance is addressed to some other dutyholder, for example a competent person, the text makes it clear who it is intended for.

 

What does PUWER apply to?

PUWER applies to the provision and use of all work equipment. It cannot be considered in isolation from other health and safety legislation. In particular, it needs to be considered with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (‘the HSW Act’).

The ACOP material and guidance contained in this publication will highlight where this is the case.

There is also some overlap between PUWER and other sets of regulations, for example:

(a) The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) apply over and above the general requirements of PUWER in dealing with specific hazards/risks associated with lifting equipment and lifting operations;

(b) The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (‘the Workplace Regulations’) 3 which cover workplace risks to pedestrians from vehicles;

(c) The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, 4 for example, on lighting;

(d) The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (‘the PPE Regulations’), 5 for example, on maintenance;

(e) The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (‘CDM’);

(f) The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986; 7

(g) The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (‘the Work at Height Regulations’) (relating to inspection of work equipment for use when working at height); 8

(h) The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (‘the Management Regulations’) relating to risk assessments. 9 

If you comply with the more specific regulations, it will normally be enough to comply with the more general requirements in PUWER.

 

To find out more or buy or download a free pdf copy follow this link: http://books.hse.gov.uk/hse/public/saleproduct.jsf?catalogueCode=9780717666195