Essentially it is 'work equipment' that is covered by the PUWER Regulations - as is referenced in the full title, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations.
But what exactly is work equipment? The scope is very broad - it covers almost any equipment used at work, and also covers second hand, hired and leased equipment.
Equipment used at work includes the following (but is not limited to):
- Hand tools - drills, hammers, handsaws, meat cleavers, knifes, sharpening tools, riveters etc
- Single stand-alone machines – workshop equipment, CNC machines, circular saws, grinders, pillar drills, lathes, band saws, hydraulic press, milling machines etc.
- Apparatus – laboratory apparatus, autoclaves, measuring devices, hot water baths, water distilling, fume extraction
- Lifting equipment – elevating work platforms, cranes, lift trucks, hoists etc
- Other equipment – pressure washers, ladders etc
- Complex Installations - series of machines connected together to form Production lines
If you have and use any of the forementioned equipment then abiding by the PUWER Regulations is mandatory. Employers must ensure that all work equipment meets the essential requirements of the regulations laid down for the manufacture of that equipment, and that inspections are carried out in the right manner, by an appropriate party.
Pilz have 14 trained assessors situated across the UK who are fully trained and qualified to conduct PUWER assessments, and other requirements such as CE & UKCA Marking.