What does PUWER Regulation 3 require for equipment risk assessment?

PUWER Regulation 3 requires employers to ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adapted as to be suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided. In practice this means conducting a risk assessment before the equipment is put into service to confirm it is appropriate for the task, the working conditions and the risks in the premises. The assessment must consider all foreseeable hazards, evaluate the risks and identify the control measures needed to comply with PUWER Regulations 4 through 24.

How often should a PUWER equipment risk assessment be reviewed?

HSE guidance recommends reviewing PUWER risk assessments at least annually, but a review is also required whenever the equipment is modified, relocated, used for a new purpose, involved in a near miss or incident, or when new guidance or standards are published that affect the control measures. Equipment in high-wear or harsh environments should be reviewed every six months. The review should confirm that existing controls remain effective and that no new hazards have been introduced.

What is the difference between a PUWER risk assessment and a PUWER inspection?

A PUWER risk assessment evaluates the hazards and risks associated with a piece of work equipment before it is used, and determines what control measures are needed. It is primarily a planning and design exercise. A PUWER inspection, required by Regulation 6, is a physical check of the equipment to confirm it remains in a safe condition and that the control measures identified in the risk assessment are still in place and effective. Both are required: the risk assessment informs what to inspect, and the inspection confirms the controls remain adequate.

Who is competent to conduct a PUWER equipment risk assessment?

The assessor must have sufficient knowledge and experience of the equipment, the work processes and the relevant PUWER regulations to identify hazards, evaluate risks and specify effective control measures. For simple equipment such as hand tools or basic machinery, a trained supervisor or safety officer may be competent. For complex equipment such as CNC machines, industrial robots or high-voltage equipment, the assessment may require input from a specialist engineer or equipment manufacturer. HSE guidance L22 does not prescribe specific qualifications but requires the assessor to be demonstrably competent.

What risk scoring method should be used in a PUWER risk assessment?

PUWER does not prescribe a specific risk scoring method. The most common approach in UK workplaces is a 5x5 risk matrix, where severity (1 = minor injury, 5 = fatality) is multiplied by likelihood (1 = very unlikely, 5 = almost certain) to produce a risk score between 1 and 25. Scores are grouped into action bands: low (1 to 4, monitor), medium (5 to 9, improve when practicable), high (10 to 15, action required), critical (16 to 25, stop work). The key requirement is that the method is systematic, documented and understood by everyone involved.

Is this PUWER equipment risk assessment template free?

Yes. Download and use this PUWER equipment risk assessment template at no cost. Open the file in your browser and use Print then Save as PDF for a paper copy. No MapTrack account is required. If you want digital risk assessments on mobile with photo capture, automatic control measure tracking, PUWER regulation mapping and scheduled review reminders per piece of equipment, MapTrack can do that. Book a demo to see how it works.

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Free PUWER equipment risk assessment template (PDF). Covers Regulation 3 suitability, hazard scoring and control measures per PUWER 1998. Download free.

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 3 May 2026

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What is a puwer equipment risk assessment?

A PUWER equipment risk assessment is a structured document used to identify, evaluate and control the risks associated with work equipment under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). Regulation 3 requires employers to ensure that work equipment is suitable for its intended purpose and that the risks arising from its use have been assessed and adequately controlled. This assessment covers the selection of equipment (Regulation 4), identification of hazards such as entanglement, crushing, shearing, impact, ejection, electrical contact and thermal exposure, evaluation of risk severity and likelihood, and the specification of control measures including guarding (Regulations 11 to 13), safe controls (Regulations 14 to 18), maintenance requirements (Regulation 5) and operator training needs (Regulation 9).

Conducting a formal risk assessment before commissioning new work equipment or when existing equipment is modified, relocated or used for a different purpose is a fundamental duty under PUWER. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance document L22 (Safe Use of Work Equipment) and INDG291 (Simple Guide to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) both emphasise that a documented risk assessment is the starting point for all PUWER compliance decisions. Without a written assessment, employers cannot demonstrate that they have identified the hazards, evaluated the risks and selected appropriate control measures. This template provides a repeatable, auditable framework that safety officers, maintenance managers and competent persons can use whenever work equipment is introduced, reviewed or investigated following an incident.

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Benefits of using this puwer equipment risk assessment

PUWER Regulation 3 compliance: a documented risk assessment demonstrates that the employer has fulfilled the duty to ensure work equipment is suitable and that risks have been evaluated before the equipment is put into service.
Hazard identification: the structured format prompts assessors to consider all relevant hazard categories, including mechanical, electrical, thermal, noise, vibration and ergonomic hazards, reducing the chance of overlooking less obvious risks.
Risk prioritisation: scoring each hazard by severity and likelihood produces a ranked list that directs resources toward the highest risks first, ensuring control measures are proportionate and effective.
Control measure traceability: linking each identified hazard to specific PUWER regulation numbers (Regs 5, 9, 11 to 18, 20 to 24) creates a clear audit trail showing which regulatory duty each control measure satisfies.
Maintenance planning: hazards identified during the risk assessment inform the planned preventive maintenance schedule, inspection intervals and spare parts requirements for each piece of equipment.
Training alignment: the assessment identifies where operator competence is critical, feeding directly into training plans and competency records required by PUWER Regulation 9.

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What to include in a puwer equipment risk assessment

This puwer equipment risk assessment covers 11 key areas:

Equipment details: description, make, model, serial or asset number, location, date of purchase or installation, intended use and operating environment.
Assessment details: assessor name, role, competence statement, date of assessment, reason for assessment (new equipment, modification, relocation, periodic review, post-incident).
Hazard identification: list every foreseeable hazard category, including entanglement, crushing, shearing, stabbing, puncture, impact, friction or abrasion, high-pressure fluid injection, ejection of parts or material, electrical contact, thermal burn, noise exposure, vibration exposure, dust or fume generation, and ergonomic strain.
Persons at risk: operators, maintenance personnel, cleaners, passers-by, visitors and contractors who may be exposed to each hazard.
Existing controls: guards (fixed, interlocked, adjustable), protective devices (light curtains, two-hand controls, pressure mats), emergency stops, warning signs, operating procedures and PPE currently in place.
Risk scoring: severity rating (e.g. 1 to 5) multiplied by likelihood rating (e.g. 1 to 5) to produce a risk score for each hazard, with defined action bands (low, medium, high, critical).
Additional control measures: for any hazard where the residual risk is not as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP), specify additional engineering controls, procedural controls, PPE or training required, with responsible person and target completion date.
Residual risk: re-score each hazard after planned additional controls are implemented to confirm the residual risk is acceptable.
PUWER regulation mapping: for each control measure, reference the specific PUWER regulation it satisfies (e.g. Reg 11 for guarding dangerous parts, Reg 14 for controls, Reg 20 for stability).
Review schedule: state when the assessment will be reviewed (e.g. annually, after modification, after incident) and who is responsible for the review.
Sign-off: assessor signature, responsible manager approval, date.

How to use this puwer equipment risk assessment

Record the equipment details, operating environment and the reason for the assessment at the top of the form.: Enter the equipment description, make, model, serial or asset number and location. Describe the intended use, the operating environment (indoor, outdoor, wet, dusty, confined) and any non-standard conditions such as extreme temperatures, corrosive atmospheres or remote locations. State the reason for the assessment: new equipment procurement, modification, change of use, relocation, periodic review or investigation following a near miss or incident.
Walk around the equipment and systematically identify every foreseeable hazard, recording who may be harmed and how.: Inspect the equipment from every access point. Consider each hazard category in turn: mechanical (entanglement, crushing, shearing, impact, ejection), electrical (contact with live parts, static discharge), thermal (hot surfaces, cold surfaces, fire), noise, vibration, ergonomic (manual handling, awkward posture, repetitive motion), and substance hazards (dust, fume, fluid). For each hazard, note which persons are at risk (operators, maintenance staff, cleaners, passers-by) and the mechanism of harm.
Evaluate existing control measures against PUWER regulation requirements and score each hazard for severity and likelihood.: For each hazard, record what controls are already in place (guards, interlocks, emergency stops, procedures, PPE). Check whether each control satisfies the relevant PUWER regulation: Regulation 11 (guarding dangerous parts), Regulation 12 (protection against specific hazards), Regulation 14 (controls), Regulation 15 (stop controls), Regulation 16 (emergency stop), Regulation 20 (stability). Score severity from 1 (minor injury) to 5 (fatality) and likelihood from 1 (very unlikely) to 5 (almost certain). Multiply to produce the risk score.
For any hazard where the risk score exceeds the acceptable threshold, specify additional control measures with responsible persons and target dates.: Apply the hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering controls (fixed guards, interlocked guards, light curtains), administrative controls (procedures, training, signage) and PPE. Each additional control measure must reference the PUWER regulation it addresses and have a named responsible person and a target completion date. Where engineering controls are not immediately practicable, document interim measures and the timeline for permanent solutions.
Re-score the residual risk after planned controls, confirm it is ALARP, sign the assessment and schedule the next review.: For each hazard, estimate the residual risk score assuming the additional control measures are fully implemented. If any residual risk remains above the acceptable threshold, add further controls or escalate to senior management for a decision on whether the equipment should be used. Sign the assessment, obtain approval from the responsible manager, and record the next review date. File the completed assessment with the equipment maintenance records.

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How often should you complete this assessment?

A PUWER equipment risk assessment should be conducted before any new work equipment is put into service, and reviewed whenever the equipment is modified, relocated, used for a different purpose, or involved in a near miss or incident. HSE guidance L22 recommends that risk assessments for work equipment are reviewed at least annually as part of the planned maintenance and inspection programme. Equipment that operates in harsh environments, is used by multiple operators or has a history of defects should be reviewed more frequently, for example every six months.

The assessment must also be reviewed whenever there is a change in legislation, published guidance or industry standards that affects the control measures in place. If a RIDDOR-reportable incident occurs involving the equipment, the risk assessment should be reviewed immediately as part of the incident investigation and before the equipment is returned to service.

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Applicable regulatory standards

This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:

PUWER 1998 Regulation 3 (Risk assessment and suitability of work equipment)
PUWER 1998 Regulations 4-24 (Specific duties for work equipment)
HSE L22 - Safe Use of Work Equipment (PUWER Approved Code of Practice and Guidance)
HSE INDG291 - Simple Guide to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations

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