Updated 5 March 2026 · 6 sections
Guide to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) for UK construction. Covers equipment selection, maintenance, inspection, and operator training.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) apply to all work equipment used in the workplace. from a simple hand tool to complex machinery. In construction, PUWER covers: power tools (drills, grinders, saws), plant (excavators, dumpers, rollers), access equipment (scaffolds, MEWPs, ladders), temporary works equipment, and welfare equipment. The regulations require that all work equipment is suitable for its intended use, maintained in a safe condition, inspected at suitable intervals, and only used by trained and authorised persons.
Regulation 4 requires that work equipment is suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided, suitable for the conditions in which it is to be used, and used only for operations and under conditions for which it is suitable. In construction, this means: selecting the right size excavator for the space available, ensuring power tools have the correct voltage and protection rating for site conditions, using equipment designed for outdoor/wet conditions where appropriate, and not improvising with equipment designed for other purposes.
Regulation 5 requires that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair. Maintenance must include: daily pre-use checks by operators, planned preventive maintenance at manufacturer-recommended intervals, immediate repair or withdrawal of defective equipment, and maintenance records. On construction sites, daily pre-use checks are critical. operators should complete a checklist before first use each day, covering fluid levels, tyre condition, structural integrity, safety devices, and controls.
Regulations 8-9 require that all persons who use work equipment, and all persons who supervise or manage its use, receive adequate information, instruction and training. In construction, this translates to: CPCS or NPORS certification for plant operators, manufacturer training for specialist equipment, toolbox talks on equipment-specific hazards, supervision of inexperienced operators, and clear operating instructions available at the point of use. Training must be refreshed when equipment changes, when accidents occur, or when competence is in doubt.
Regulations 11-24 set out detailed requirements for guards, protection devices, and controls on dangerous parts of machinery. In construction, the most relevant applications are: guards on bench saws and cutting equipment, emergency stop controls on all powered equipment, isolation procedures for maintenance and cleaning, protection against falling objects on MEWPs and telehandlers, and roll-over protective structures (ROPS) on plant. Removing or disabling guards is one of the most serious PUWER offences and frequently leads to prosecution.
Regulation 6 requires that work equipment is inspected at suitable intervals and after exceptional circumstances. The inspection must be carried out by a competent person and the results recorded. For construction equipment, inspections should occur: daily (pre-use check by operator), weekly (formal inspection by site supervisor), and at longer intervals as determined by risk assessment (thorough examination under LOLER for lifting equipment, or periodic inspection for other equipment). Site Manager AI can generate equipment inspection checklists tailored to specific equipment types.
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