The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) requires users of work equipment to carry out risk assessment and provide work equipment that is suitable for its intended task and can be used without putting persons at risk. The Regulations cover any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for use at work (whether exclusively or not) - effectively it is anything used at work.

The 1998 regulations (updating the original 1992 Regulations) introduce requirements to ensure that, for reasons of health and safety, inspections are carried out:

• After installation and before being put into service for the first time; or after assembly at a new site or in a new location to ensure that it has been installed correctly and is safe to operate.
• After work equipment has been exposed to any conditions causing deterioration, which is liable to cause a dangerous situation.
• At suitable intervals; and
• Each time that exceptional circumstances have occurred that are liable to jeopardise the safety of work equipment. The results of these inspections have to be documented and kept until the next subsequent inspection is recorded. So in other words you should have a current inspection report at all times.

The results of these inspections have to be documented and kept until the next subsequent inspection is recorded. So in other words you should have a current inspection report on file at any one time.

The regulations now make it an offense to allow work equipment to leave an employers undertaking, or if obtained from another undertaking, be used, unless it is accompanied by physical evidence that the last inspection has been carried out.

Laidler Associates will work closely with your personnel to ensure compliance and can provide our training seminars at your premises, a venue of your choice or at our training facility.

Alternatively, Laidler Associates can complete the whole task on your behalf and present you with a comprehensive report backed up by all documentation required by the Regulations, which would include:

• Quick and efficient risk assessment
• Hazard identification
• Risk Evaluation
• Recommendations for control measures ‘To do list’
• Full documentation