PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations)

Reviewed by Apex Insurance Brokers · Last reviewed 2026-06-22

Reviewed by Apex Insurance Brokers · Last reviewed 2026-06-22

Reviewed by Apex Insurance Brokers · Last reviewed 2026-06-22

Category: Loss control & prevention · Reviewed by Simon Temme, Account Executive · Last reviewed

PUWER

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/2306), known as PUWER, impose duties on employers, self-employed and persons in control of work equipment to ensure equipment is suitable, safe and used by competent people.

Scope

“Work equipment” is defined broadly — any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for use at work. From a single hand tool to a multi-million-pound process plant.

Key requirements

• Regulation 4 — suitability for the purpose.
• Regulation 5 — maintenance in efficient state and good repair.
• Regulation 6 — inspection at suitable intervals and after exceptional circumstances.
• Regulation 7–9 — specific risks, information and instructions, training.
• Regulation 11 — dangerous parts of machinery to be safeguarded.
• Regulations 14–18 — controls and control systems.
• Regulations 19–24 — isolation, stability, lighting, maintenance operations, markings, warnings.
• Regulations 25–30 — additional requirements for mobile work equipment.

Companion regulations

PUWER sits alongside:

• LOLER 1998 — Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations.
• PSSR 2000 — Pressure Systems Safety Regulations.
• EAWR 1989 — Electricity at Work Regulations.
• Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 — for manufacturers and importers.

Insurance relevance

For manufacturing, engineering, agricultural, construction, processing and warehousing risks, PUWER and LOLER compliance evidence (statutory examination reports, planned maintenance records) is a standard input to engineering surveys and EL/PL underwriting.

References

• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/2306).
• HSE L22 — Safe use of work equipment.
• HSE INDG291 — Simple guide to PUWER.

Cross-references

• Property loss control
• Working at Height Regulations
• Manual Handling Operations Regulations

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