PUWER
Plain English. Practical detail. UK context.
PUWER is the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. It requires appropriate safety management of work equipment, including tools, machinery and installations. Hiring equipment or asking a worker to bring their own does not automatically remove the employer's or controller's responsibilities for safe use at work.
Last reviewed: (editorial review against the public sources listed below).
Work equipment is a broad category
HSE explains that use includes starting, setting, moving, maintaining, repairing and cleaning, not only normal production. A drill, saw, mixer or workshop installation can fall within scope. Tradespeople should consider the task and conditions before selecting equipment. Homeowners benefit when contractors assess suitable equipment rather than use whatever fits through the door. Trainees should know what they are authorised and trained to use. Ownership, a familiar brand or a new appearance is not proof that the equipment suits the work or is free from defects.
Suitability, guarding and controls matter
Equipment should be appropriate for its purpose and conditions, with suitable protective measures and controls. Guards, isolation, stability and prevention of ejected material can be relevant. A trainee should not remove protection or bypass an interlock because another worker says it improves speed. Maintenance can involve electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic or stored-energy hazards. This overview gives no isolation or machine-repair procedure. Obtain proper instruction for the actual equipment and refer defects. A product conformity mark is relevant supply information, not a substitute for assessing use and protecting people on site.
Training, maintenance and inspection differ
HSE identifies information, instruction and training for users and those supervising or managing equipment. Inspection is required in relevant installation or deterioration circumstances, and maintenance must keep equipment safe. The regime should suit the equipment and risks. Do not invent one universal annual certificate for every hand tool or assume a PAT label settles mechanical safety. A trainee should report damage and stop using unsafe equipment within the agreed procedure. The employer should arrange competent repairs rather than leave workers to improvise a temporary fix that defeats protective features.
Connect records to real safe use
Keep relevant instructions, inspection and maintenance information, and ensure hired or transferred equipment arrives with necessary records. LOLER can apply as well where equipment lifts loads; other specific regimes may also matter. HSE guidance concerns Great Britain, with separate arrangements to check in Northern Ireland. No typical UK inspection price or guaranteed machine lifespan is stated. Homeowners should expect sensible protection from work equipment and clear access boundaries, while tradespeople should plan people, equipment and site together. A tidy maintenance folder cannot compensate for a missing guard, unsuitable setup or operator who has never received the necessary practical instruction.
Frequently asked questions
Does hiring equipment transfer away every duty?
No. Safe selection, use, training and relevant checks still need clear responsibility.
Does a PAT label prove all machinery risks are controlled?
No. Mechanical, setup, guarding and other risks require appropriate assessment too.
Sources and further reading
Public sources and further reading. Sources checked: 8 November 2026. Consult the original for details and later changes.