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PUWER Assesment

PUWER98 applies to the provision and use of all work equipment. The following checklist is provided as an aid to assessment covering the General Requirements only, excluding the specific requirements for mobile equipment, lifting equipment and power presses. Reference should be made to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and the guidance provided by the HSE Approved Code of Practice on the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (Publication L22) (free-to-download, web-friendly version, is available).
Astonish
10/10/2023

PUWER Assesment

PUWER98 applies to the provision and use of all work equipment. The following checklist is provided as an aid to assessment covering the General Requirements only, excluding the specific requirements for mobile equipment, lifting equipment and power presses. Reference should be made to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and the guidance provided by the HSE Approved Code of Practice on the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (Publication L22) (free-to-download, web-friendly version, is available).

    PUWER Assessment Details

    Description Of Equipment

    Asset Identification/Model/Serial Number

    Location Of Equipment

    Image Of Equipment

    Add or drag pictures

    Is the equipment:

    Reason for PUWER assesment

    Date of PUWER assesment

    Names of Assesors

    Preliminaries – Reason for inspection, Documentation & Compliance of the Equipment

    About This Inspection

    A1. Is equipment inspected after installation and before being put to use for the first time?

    Reference regulation 6

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    A2. Is equipment inspected after it is assembled at a new site or location?

    Reference regulation 6

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    A3. Is the equipment being inspected following a change in use and/or modification?

    Reference regulation 6

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    A4. Is the equipment being inspected because of an exceptional circumstance (e.g. following a major fault or accident)?

    Reference regulation 6

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    A5. If the equipment has been obtained from another company/person, it is accompanied by evidence that the last inspection has been carried out, in particular Risk Assessment?

    Reference regulation 6

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    Conformity With EC & UK Requirements

    B1. Does the equipment comply with relevant EC Directives (e.g. does it display a CE mark)? (If supplied after 1992)

    Reference regulation 10

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    B2. If so, confirm that the original supplier provided a EC Declaration of Conformity confirming that the “essential requirements” had applied to the design and construction of the equipment?

    Reference regulation 10

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    B3. Have there been any accidents or incidents associated with the equipment since last inspected? (Check the Accident Book) If so what action has been taken to reduce the risk of it occurring again?

    Reference Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations – Regulation 3

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    B4A. Is there the most recent Risk Assessment available to inspect?

    Reference regulation 5/8/9

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    B4B. Is there the Instruction Manual available to inspect?

    See also J3 Reference regulation 5/8/9

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    B4C. Is there the Control System Schematics available to inspect?

    Reference regulation 5/8/9

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    B4D. Is there the Safety System Performance Levels document available to inspect?

    Reference regulation 5/8/9

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    Suitability & Installation of the Equipment

    Suitability Of Work Equipment

    C1. Is the equipment suitable by design, construction or adaptation for the work it is provided to do?

    Reference regulation 4

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    C2. Can the work equipment cause risks in situations whereby it would otherwise be safe (e.g. petrol generator discharging into enclosed space)?

    Reference regulation 4

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    C3. Is the equipment suitable for the conditions in which it is to be used (e.g. electric drill to be used outside in damp conditions)?

    Reference regulation 4

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    C4. Is the equipment suitable for the purpose or conditions of use (e.g. use of knives for cutting equipment where scissors would suffice)?

    Reference regulation 4

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    C5. Should the equipment be inspected at suitable intervals when it is exposed to conditions causing deterioration, which is liable to result in dangerous situations (e.g. high vibrations, deterioration of guarding strength by exposure to cutting fluids, etc)?

    Reference regulation 6

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    Stability

    D1. Is the equipment stabilised by clamping or otherwise where necessary to prevent risk of injury (e.g. machines bolted to floor, scaffolds tied to building, outriggers on mobile cranes, etc.)

    Reference regulation 20

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    Lighting

    E1. Are the places where the work equipment is to be used suitably and sufficiently lit (local lighting may be required on certain machines e.g. lathes)?

    Reference regulation 21

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    Hazards, Risks & Risk Reduction

    Risk Assessment & Protection Against Hazards

    G1. Has a ‘suitable and sufficient’ risk assessment been conducted and documented?

    Reference Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations – Regulation 3

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    G2. So far as is reasonably practicable, have the risks, identified by the Risk Assessment, been adequately controlled by means other than PPE, information, instruction, training or supervision?

    Typical risks to be considered include: - • Moving machinery; • swarf ejected from a milling machine; • equipment breaking up – (an abrasive wheel bursting); • explosion of pipework due to pressure build-up; • explosion of flammable gases, vapours or dust; • noise, fire, vibration, etc.; • electrocution; • exposure to dust, lead, asbestos, etc. • material falling from shelving, scaffolding etc.; Reference regulation 12

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    G3. Have measures been taken to prevent access to dangerous parts of the machine or rotating stock bar, or to stop movement or any dangerous part or rotating stock bar before any person enters a danger zone?

    Reference regulation 11

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    G3A. Fixed Guards. Where fixed guards have been provided are they suitable, robust, in-place and fixed by systems that can be removed only with tools?

    Reference regulation 11

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    G3B. Movable Guards. Where moveable guards have been provided are they suitable, robust and suitability interlocked with the equipment to reduce risk?

    Reference regulation 11

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    G3C. Adjustable guards. Where adjustable guards have been provided are they suitable & robust and may they restrict access to dangerous areas other than those strictly necessary for the work?

    Reference regulation 11

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    G3D. Jigs, Holders, Push Sticks, etc. Where Jigs, Holders, Push Sticks, etc. have been provided are they suitable and sufficient for the purpose and accessible to the users?

    Reference regulation 11

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    G3E. Protective Devices. Where protective devices have been provided are they suitable, correctly positioned and suitability interlocked with the equipment to reduce risk?

    Reference regulation 11

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    G3F. General. Are ALL guards and protection devices suitable and sufficient for the purpose for which they are provided (e.g. good construction, sound material, adequate strength, maintained and in good repair, etc.)?

    Reference regulation 11

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    G4. Has adequate information, instruction, training and supervision been given?

    Reference regulation 11

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    G5. Where appropriate, are all parts of work equipment, articles or substances in the equipment protected to prevent burns or other injury such as frostbite by contact? (Engineering measures should always be applied, although circumstances may arise where the only form of protection may be PPE, etc.)

    Reference regulation 13

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    G6. Where appropriate, are all parts of work equipment, articles or substances in the equipment protected to prevent burns or other injury such as frostbite by contact? (Engineering measures should always be applied, although circumstances may arise where the only form of protection may be PPE, etc.)

    Reference regulation 13

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    G6A. Where risks remain, despite the measures taken, have these residual risks been controlled by:-

    Notes for question G6A (If required)

    Control of the Equipment

    This section is qualified by the term ‘where appropriate’ which relates to the features, functioning and the risk associated with use. Start, stop and emergency control systems are not generally appropriate for work equipment with no moving parts, or where the risk of injury is negligible.- It may well be that some of the following questions are not applicable.

    Control Systems

    H. Is a control system appropriate for this equipment? If NO then jump to Maintenance of the Equipment

    Reference regulation 14 to 18

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A
    if the answer is "oneOf [Yes]"

    H1. Does a failure of any part of the control system or its power supply lead to a ‘fail-safe’ condition, which will not impede the operation of the ‘stop’ or ‘emergency stop’ controls?

    Reference regulation 18

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    H2. Are all controls clearly visible, identifiable and are they appropriately marked?

    Reference regulation 17

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    H3. Are control mechanisms in a safe position and operators free from danger?

    Reference regulation 17

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    H4. So far as is reasonably practicable, can the operator of any control ensure that, from the position of the control, no person is in a place where they could be at risk?

    Reference regulation 17

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A
    if the answer is "oneOf [No,N/A]"

    H4.1. If no, are systems in place to ensure health and safety? (e.g. systems to detect or warn persons at risk)

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    H5. where appropriate: Is the equipment fitted with start, stop or operating condition controls which require a deliberate action to operate?

    Reference regulation 14

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    H6. Can starting take place by use of a protective device (e.g. an interlock)?

    Reference regulation 14

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    H7. Are the controls protected against inadvertent operation (e.g. starter shrouded)?

    Reference regulation 14

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    H8. Does the stop control mechanism bring the equipment to a safe condition in a safe manner?

    Reference regulation 15

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    H9. Does the stop control equipment operate in priority to controls which start or change operating conditions?

    Reference regulation 15

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    H10. where appropriate: Is the equipment fitted with an emergency stop control which operates in priority to any other control mechanism?

    Reference regulation 16

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    H11. Is the Emergency Stop control clearly identified? (Red actuator on Yellow background) Is its span of control clearly identified?

    Reference regulation 17

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    Maintenance of the Equipment

    Maintenance & Maintenance Operations

    J1. Is the equipment adequately maintained? When it was last maintained?

    Reference regulation 5

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    J2. Is the equipment subject to statutory inspection?

    Statutory inspections such as COSHH, LOLER etc... Reference regulation 5

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A
    if the answer is "oneOf [Yes]"

    J2.1 State which regulations apply

    J3. Are maintenance instructions available?

    See also B4 Reference regulation 5

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    J4. Is the maintenance work routine based on the manufacturer’s recommendations?

    Reference regulation 5

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    J5. Is the maintenance work planned and preventative?

    (required where parts of the equipment could fail in a dangerous way) Reference regulation 5

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    J6. Have all maintenance staff received adequate information, instruction and training?

    Reference regulation 5

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    J7. Is a record of maintenance kept?

    Reference regulation 5

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    J8. If a maintenance log is kept, is it up to date?

    Reference regulation 5

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    J9. Is maintenance carried out with the machine stopped and isolated?

    Reference regulation 22

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A
    if the answer is "oneOf [No,N/A]"

    J9.1 If not and it is reasonably practicable to do so, are maintenance operations carried out without exposing persons to risk?

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A
    if the answer is "oneOf [No]"

    J9.2 If not, are there formal Safe Systems of Work in place to reduce the risk of injury?

    (e.g. including use of temporary guards, limited movement controls, PPE, etc.)

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    Energy Isolation

    K1. Are there suitable means to securely isolate the equipment from ALL sources of energy?

    (e.g. multiple lockable hasps, removal of plug, close and lock off valves, drain/ vent outlets, etc.) Reference regulation 19

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    K2. Are the means of isolation clearly identifiable?

    Reference regulation 19

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    K3. Are the means of isolation easily accessible?

    (e.g. located between 0,6 m and 1,9 m above the servicing level.) Reference regulation 19

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    K4. If there are more than single points of isolation in order to ensure complete isolation of the equipment are all the isolation points cross referenced?

    Reference regulation 19

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    K5. Are there appropriate measures to ensure that reconnection does not expose any person to a risk of injury

    (e.g. reconnection initiating movement, adequate guards) Reference regulation 19

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    Information & Training, Markings & Warnings

    Information, Instruction and Training

    L1. Have all supervisors/managers of work equipment received adequate information, instruction and training, including; Methods, Risks, Precautions?

    Reference regulation 8/9

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    L2. Have all users of work equipment received adequate information, instruction and training, including; Methods, Risks, Precautions?

    Reference regulation 8/9

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    L3. Has special emphasis been given to young persons under 18 years of age?

    Reference regulation 8/9

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    L4. Are training records held?

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    Markings & Warnings

    M1. Is the equipment appropriately marked for health and safety purposes?

    e.g. emergency stop controls, safe working load, colour code of gas cylinders etc. Reference regulation 23

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    M2. Are all information and warning markings provided in the form of readily understandable symbols or pictograms?

    Reference regulation 23

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    M3. Are all warnings and warning devices unambiguous, easily understood, easily perceived?

    (e.g. audible visible warnings on fork lift trucks, etc.) Reference regulation 24

    • Yes
    • No
    • N / A

    Comments, Notes & PUWER Completion

    Additional images/files

    If required

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    I have carried out this assessment on this work equipment and based on my findings on the day of the assessment, this PUWER assessment is:

    • Pass
    • Flag
    • Fail

    Assessor 1's Signature

    Click here to sign

    Assessor 2's Signature

    Click here to sign

    Assessor's Comments & Notes

    If required

    Reference Text on this PUWER Assessment Checklist

    The purpose of this “PUWER98 General Assessment Checklist” is to simplify the process of a PUWER98 Machinery compliance audit by breaking down the requirements of the regulations into a sequence of simple actions, with the completion of each action confirmed by checklists.

    PUWER98 places obligations on businesses to take into account potential dangers to operators and other persons using or affected by machines and equipment. It includes confirmation that new, second-hand and existing equipment is complaint, suitable for use and fit for the purpose intended and has been correctly installed and is properly used and is properly maintained.

    The scope of ‘work equipment’ is extremely wide; it covers almost any equipment used at work. This checklist, however, is designed to establish the compliance with PUWER98, of common industrial machinery alone. It covers Regulations from 1 to 24. It does not include the specific requirements for power presses (Reg. 35), woodworking machinery, lifting operations & lifting equipment and mobile work equipment (Reg. 25 to 30).

    Useful reference documents include:-

    HSE Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) on the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (Publication L22) The ACOP L22 gives practical advice on how to comply with the law. If you follow the advice you will be doing enough to comply with the law in respect of those specific matters on which the Code gives advice.

    BSI Published Document PD 5304 - Guidance on safe use of machinery PD 5304 aims to promote a high standard of machinery safety by providing guidance which deals with issues ranging from selection of protective measures and safeguards through to practical examples of guard design and their application. In addition, the guidance can also be applied to machinery during its use to assist those persons with duties under the PUWER98.

    EN ISO 12100 - Safety of machinery – General principles for design — Risk assessment and risk reduction

    EN 953 - Safety of machinery –Guards, general principles for design & construction

    EN ISO 13857 - Safety of machinery –Safe distances to prevent danger zones being reached by the upper & lower limbs

    EN 349 - Safety of machinery – Minimum gaps to avoid crushing of parts of the human body

    EN 1037 - Safety of machinery - Prevention of unexpected start-up

    EN 60204-1 - Safety of machinery - Electrical equipment of machines

    EN ISO 13849-1 - Safety of machinery – Safety related parts of control systems

Source: Astonish (Community Member)

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