Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

This places duties on people and organisations who manage work equipment, whether they are owned, used or hired by them.

Work equipment is defined under Regulation 2 (1) as “any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for use at work (whether exclusively or not)”. The term 'use' in relation to work equipment means "any activity involving work equipment and includes starting, stopping, programming, setting, transporting, repairing, modifying, maintaining, servicing and cleaning".

Some key requirements for the employer (covered in Regulations 4 to 10, which are classed as "the 'management duties') are to:
• “ensure that work equipment is used only for operations for which, and under conditions for which, it is suitable.” (Regulation 4 (3));
• Ensure that it is maintained “in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair”, and a maintenance log is kept up to date, (Regulation 5);
• Ensure that it is inspected “at suitable intervals” to make sure it is safe to operate, (Regulation 6 (2)(a));
• Provide employees with adequate information, instruction and training, (Regulations 8 and 9);
• The equipment “has been designed and constructed in compliance with requirements” ensuring it is a safe product meeting required safety standards, (Regulation 10).

The physical aspects of PUWER 98 are covered by Regulations 11 to 24: This includes the guarding of dangerous parts (e.g. Power Take-Offs or PTOs) (Regulation 11), protecting against specified hazards, such as “any article or substance … ejected from work equipment” (such as stones or debris from mowers) (Regulation 12), the provision of appropriate stop and emergency stop controls (Regulation 15), stability (Regulation 20), sufficient lighting to carry out work (Regulation 21) and suitable markings (Regulation 24) and warnings or warning devices (Regulation 25).