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Free PUWER work equipment inspection checklist

Free PUWER work equipment inspection checklist (PDF-ready). Covers the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (Great Britain). Download free.

Updated 2 Oct 2026

PUWER Work Equipment Inspection Checklist

Work equipment inspection per PUWER 1998 (Great Britain)

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0 of 31 checks

Guards and Protection Devices

1Fixed guards secure and not bypassed
2Interlocked guards functioning correctly
3Adjustable guards set to correct position
4No access to dangerous parts during operation
5Trip devices and light curtains operational (if fitted)
6Guards undamaged and properly fastened

Controls and Emergency Stops

7Start controls require deliberate action to operate
8Emergency stop button accessible and functional
9Emergency stop resets correctly (no auto-restart)
10Control devices clearly identified and labelled
11Controls positioned to avoid unintentional operation
12Isolation switch accessible and lockable

Stability and Condition

13Equipment stable and securely mounted or anchored
14No visible damage, corrosion, or structural defects
15Moving parts operate smoothly without abnormal noise
16No fluid leaks (hydraulic, oil, coolant)
17Electrical cables and connections in good condition

Markings and Warnings

18Safety warning signs visible and legible
19Safe working load or capacity marked where applicable
20Hazard pictograms displayed correctly
21Equipment identification plate present and readable
22CE / UKCA marking visible (if applicable)

Maintenance Access

23Maintenance points accessible without exposure to hazards
24Lubrication points accessible and serviced
25Isolation possible for all energy sources during maintenance
26Adequate lighting at maintenance and operation points

Training and Documentation

27Operators trained and competent for this equipment
28Risk assessment current and available
29Maintenance log up to date
30Operating instructions accessible to users
31Previous inspection defects closed out

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These templates are free general guides provided as-is. They do not constitute legal, safety or compliance advice. You are responsible for ensuring any form meets your specific workplace obligations, industry standards and applicable regulations.

Don't just download it - use it live. Start a free workspace with this PUWER work equipment inspection checklist already built, so your crew can run it from a phone.

Jarrod Milford

Jarrod Milford

Co-Founder & Commercial Director

Updated 2 October 2026
Also see:Compliance and inspections →Best inspection software →MapTrack vs SafetyCulture →

Short answer

A PUWER work equipment inspection checklist records a competent person's inspection of general work equipment, from hand tools to process plant, with the defects found and actions taken. Supervisors and maintenance teams in Great Britain use it at intervals set by risk assessment. Regulation 6 of PUWER 1998 requires inspection where equipment is exposed to deterioration that could cause danger, with each result recorded.

Checked against PUWER 1998 (Current revised version as at 2026-10-26 (legislation.gov.uk, no outstanding effects listed)) on by the MapTrack templates team. How we check templates

Key takeaways

  • The MapTrack PUWER work equipment inspection checklist contains 31 checks across 6 sections. Sections covered: Guards and Protection Devices, Controls and Emergency Stops, Stability and Condition, Markings and Warnings, Maintenance Access, Training and Documentation.
  • PUWER regulation 6(3): record the result of each inspection and keep it until the next regulation 6 inspection is recorded.
  • Regulation 6 sets no fixed interval: inspect at suitable intervals and after exceptional circumstances where deterioration could cause danger (regulation 6(2)). Power presses have separate rules.
  • Lifting equipment is outside PUWER regulation 6 (regulation 6(5)); LOLER thorough examination covers it instead.
  • Work equipment leaving your undertaking, or obtained from another and used in it, must carry physical evidence of the last required regulation 6 inspection (regulation 6(4)).
  • Record each defect against the regulation it relates to, such as reg 5 maintenance or reg 11 guarding, with an owner and a due date.

Enter your email below to download this PUWER work equipment inspection checklist as a ready-to-use PDF.

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Saunders InternationalMineral ResourcesSupagasHacer GroupMetro TunnelUltrabuilt

What is a PUWER work equipment inspection checklist?

A PUWER work equipment inspection checklist is a structured document used to verify that work equipment meets the requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), which apply across Great Britain. PUWER places duties on employers and self-employed persons to ensure that work equipment is suitable for its intended use, maintained in a safe condition, inspected at suitable intervals, and used only by people who have received adequate training. The regulations apply to all work equipment, from hand tools and ladders to complex machinery, vehicles and process plant. This checklist covers the key PUWER requirements including suitability for use (Regulation 4), maintenance (Regulation 5), inspection (Regulation 6), specific risks (Regulation 7), information and instructions (Regulation 8), training (Regulation 9), guarding of dangerous parts (Regulations 11-13), controls and control systems (Regulations 14-18), stability (Regulation 20), lighting (Regulation 21) and markings and warnings (Regulations 23-24). It is designed for use by maintenance technicians, supervisors and safety officers conducting periodic inspections of general work equipment. PUWER regulation 6(3) requires the result of each inspection to be recorded and kept until the next one is recorded, and a completed checklist is that record for HSE inspections and internal audits.

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Benefits of using this PUWER work equipment inspection checklist

  • PUWER compliance: document inspections against the specific regulation numbers (Regs 4-24) that apply to your work equipment.
  • Broad applicability: one checklist covers any type of work equipment, from hand tools to complex plant, making it practical for mixed-equipment workplaces.
  • Guarding verification: the checklist prompts inspection of guards, interlocks and emergency stops per PUWER Regulations 11-18, reducing the risk of contact with dangerous parts.
  • Training and information: the checklist includes items to verify that operators have received adequate training and that manufacturer information is available at the equipment location.
  • Audit readiness: completed checklists give HSE inspectors and insurers a record of each inspection and what it found.
  • Maintenance alignment: findings from PUWER inspections feed directly into the planned preventive maintenance schedule, ensuring defects identified during inspection are tracked to resolution through the maintenance workflow.

Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack

When you digitise general work equipment checklists in MapTrack, you get:

  • Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
  • Email the right people when a form is submitted, with an automation you set up.
  • File every completed form against the asset, location or person it covers.
  • Download any completed form as a PDF, with failed answers listed at the top.
  • Fill in forms offline; they upload when the device is back online.
  • Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
  • Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
  • Electronic signatures.
  • Edit forms later without reprinting.
  • Set who can view, fill in or edit forms with user roles.
  • Upload a paper form (PDF, Word, Excel or a photo) and MapTrack's AI builds a digital version for you to check.
  • Email safety managers when a hazard report is submitted, with an automation you set up.
  • Keep every hazard and incident report against the site it came from, with photos.
  • Turn a hazard report into a corrective-action work order with its own review step.

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What to include in a PUWER work equipment inspection checklist

This PUWER work equipment inspection checklist covers 11 key areas:

  • Equipment details: description, make, model, serial/asset number, location, date of inspection.
  • Inspector details: name, role, competence (training and experience relevant to this equipment).
  • Suitability (Reg 4): is the equipment suitable for the work it is being used for, and the conditions of use?
  • Maintenance (Reg 5): is the equipment maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair? Is there a maintenance log?
  • Inspection (Reg 6): has the equipment been inspected at suitable intervals? Are inspection records available?
  • Guards and protection devices (Regs 11-13): are all guards in place, secure and functioning? Are interlocks operational?
  • Controls (Regs 14-18): are start, stop and emergency stop controls accessible, clearly marked and functioning? Are control systems fail-safe?
  • Stability (Reg 20): is the equipment stable in its operating position? Are outriggers, anchors or fixings in place?
  • Information, training and markings (Regs 8, 9, 23, 24): are operator instructions available? Has the operator been trained? Are safety markings and warnings legible?
  • Defect register: regulation reference, item, defect description, risk level, corrective action.
  • Sign-off: inspector and responsible person.

How to use this PUWER work equipment inspection checklist

  1. Record the equipment details, inspector name and date. Confirm your competence to inspect this specific type of equipment.: Enter the equipment description, make, model, serial number or asset number, and the location where the equipment is used. Record the inspector name, role, and a brief statement of competence, for example relevant qualifications, training courses or years of experience with this equipment type. Under PUWER, the inspection must be carried out by a person who has sufficient practical and theoretical knowledge to detect defects and assess their significance. If you are not competent for this specific equipment, do not proceed; arrange for a suitably qualified person instead.
  2. Check suitability: confirm the equipment is appropriate for the task and the conditions of use. Check the maintenance log for evidence of ongoing maintenance.: Under PUWER Regulation 4, work equipment must be suitable for its intended purpose and the conditions in which it will be used. Confirm the equipment is being used for the task it was designed for, is not being operated beyond its rated capacity, and is appropriate for the environment (for example, ATEX-rated equipment in explosive atmospheres). Review the maintenance log to confirm that planned preventive maintenance is up to date, that any previous defects have been resolved, and that the equipment has been maintained in an efficient state per Regulation 5.
  3. Inspect all guards, protection devices and interlocks. Verify emergency stop controls are accessible and functioning.: PUWER Regulation 11 requires that dangerous parts of machinery are protected by guards, protection devices or both. Check that all fixed guards are securely fastened and cannot be removed without tools. Confirm interlocked guards disable the machine when opened and that the machine cannot restart when the guard is closed until the operator re-initiates the cycle. Test every emergency stop mushroom button and pull cord to verify the machine halts promptly. Check that guards around rotating shafts, belts, gears, cutting tools and crushing points are in place, undamaged and correctly positioned with no gaps that allow access to the danger zone.
  4. Verify stability, lighting, markings and warnings. Confirm operator instructions are available and the operator has been trained.: Under Regulation 20, confirm the equipment is stable in its operating position, with outriggers, anchors or floor fixings in place where applicable. Check that the work area has adequate lighting for the operator to see controls, workpieces and hazard zones clearly (Regulation 21). Inspect all safety markings and warning labels for legibility, including maximum load, rotation direction, hazard pictograms and emergency instructions (Regulations 23 and 24). Confirm the manufacturer operating manual or operator instructions are available at the machine location (Regulation 8). Verify the operator has received adequate training per Regulation 9 and has been authorised by the employer to operate the equipment.
  5. Record any defects with the relevant PUWER regulation reference. Assign corrective actions and, if the equipment is unsafe, take it out of service until repairs are complete.: For each defect, record the regulation reference (for example, Regulation 11 for a missing guard), a clear description of the defect, the risk level (low, medium or high) and the corrective action required. Assign a named responsible person and a target completion date. If the defect creates an immediate risk of serious injury, take the equipment out of service by isolating it, attaching a "DO NOT USE" tag and barricading the area. Notify the site or facility manager and raise a work order in the maintenance system so the repair is tracked to completion.
  6. Sign and date the checklist. File the record and make it available for HSE inspection on request.: The inspector signs and dates the completed checklist. The responsible person or site manager countersigns to acknowledge the findings and confirm that corrective actions have been raised. File the record in the equipment safety file and upload a digital copy to MapTrack so the inspection history is linked to the asset. PUWER regulation 6(3) requires the result of each inspection to be recorded and kept until the next inspection is recorded, and best practice is to retain inspection records for at least five years or the life of the equipment. Records must be readily available for HSE enforcement officers or insurance inspectors on request.

In MapTrack, you can digitise safety inspections and compliance forms. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.

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How often should you complete this checklist?

PUWER Regulation 6 requires that work equipment exposed to conditions causing deterioration liable to result in dangerous situations be inspected at suitable intervals, having regard to the potential risks, the intensity of use and the environment. The regulations do not prescribe a fixed frequency. Instead, you must determine the appropriate inspection interval based on a risk assessment. For equipment with higher risk (e.g. moving parts, pressurised systems, lifting operations), more frequent inspections are needed. Many organisations adopt a tiered approach: daily or pre-use visual checks by the operator, weekly or monthly inspections by a competent person, and annual thorough inspections (especially where LOLER or the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations also apply). In MapTrack, you can set custom inspection intervals per asset and receive automated alerts when inspections are due.

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Frequently asked questions

PUWER stands for the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. It applies across Great Britain and covers any equipment used at work, including hand tools, power tools, ladders, machinery, vehicles, process plant, lifting equipment and pressure systems. PUWER requires employers to ensure work equipment is suitable, maintained, inspected and used only by trained persons. It is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities.

PUWER inspections should be performed by a competent person. Competence is based on the person having sufficient training, experience, knowledge and other qualities to carry out the inspection properly. For simple equipment (e.g. hand tools), a trained operator may be competent. For complex machinery, a maintenance technician or engineer with specific equipment knowledge is typically required. Where LOLER also applies, the thorough examination must be conducted by a competent person (often an insurance company engineering surveyor).

PUWER does not prescribe a fixed inspection frequency. Regulation 6 requires inspections at suitable intervals, determined by risk assessment, for equipment exposed to deterioration liable to cause danger. Factors include the level of risk, intensity of use, operating environment and manufacturer recommendations. A common approach is daily pre-use checks by the operator, monthly detailed inspections by a competent person, and annual thorough inspections for high-risk equipment.

PUWER covers all work equipment and sets general requirements for suitability, maintenance, inspection, guarding, controls and training. LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) is a more specific set of regulations that applies only to lifting equipment and lifting operations. Where equipment is used for lifting (e.g. cranes, hoists, forklift trucks), both PUWER and LOLER apply. LOLER adds specific requirements such as thorough examination at prescribed intervals (6 or 12 months) and written examination reports.

Yes. This PUWER work equipment inspection checklist is completely free to download and use. You can print it as a PDF or complete it digitally on any device. For organisations with large equipment fleets, MapTrack lets you schedule PUWER inspections per asset at the intervals determined by your risk assessment, capture results on mobile and maintain a complete inspection history linked to each piece of equipment.

Record the equipment details, the inspector's name and the date, and confirm you are competent to inspect that type of equipment. Check suitability: is the equipment appropriate for the task and the conditions it is used in. Inspect every guard, protection device and interlock and verify the emergency stop controls work. Verify stability, lighting, markings and warnings, and confirm the operator instructions are available. Record every defect with the PUWER regulation it relates to, assign a corrective action with an owner and a date, and sign the inspection off.

PUWER regulation 6(3) requires the result of each inspection to be recorded and the record kept until the next inspection of that equipment is recorded. Records do not have to be on paper, but where they are kept electronically they should be held securely and be available when needed. Inspection frequency itself is set by risk assessment, with inspection after installation and before first use, at suitable intervals, and after exceptional circumstances such as major modification or suspected serious damage.

The checklist follows the regulations an inspector is checking against. Regulation 4 asks whether the equipment is suitable for the work and the conditions. Regulation 5 asks whether it is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair. Regulation 6 asks whether it has been inspected at suitable intervals set by risk assessment. The remaining sections cover guards and protection devices, emergency stops, stability, lighting, markings and warnings, and the availability of operator instructions, each recorded against the relevant regulation so a defect can be traced to the duty it breaches.

Applicable regulatory standards

This template is a starting point. Check the current requirements that apply to your equipment, work and location. The template alone does not establish compliance.

  • The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

    Edition: Current revised version as at 2026-10-26 (legislation.gov.uk, no outstanding effects listed)

    Sets the inspection, suitability, maintenance and training duties this checklist works through.

    • reg 6: Inspection by a competent person where safety depends on installation or equipment is exposed to deteriorating conditions, with results recorded.
    • reg 4: Work equipment must be suitable for its purpose and the conditions in which it is used.
    • reg 5: Work equipment must be maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair, with any maintenance log kept up to date.
    • reg 9: Requires adequate training for people who use, supervise or manage the use of work equipment.

    legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)

  • Safe use of work equipment. Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Approved Code of Practice and guidance

    Edition: L22, 4th edition (November 2014, amendments made 2018)

    HSE's Approved Code of Practice and guidance on PUWER, including inspection, competence and guarding. Other equally effective methods are allowed.

    Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

  • Providing and using work equipment safely: A brief guide

    Edition: INDG291(rev1), 2013

    HSE's short guide for employers on providing and using work equipment safely.

    Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Each source was read at its publisher and the page checked on 26 October 2026. The publisher's current text is the authority.

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PUWER Work Equipment Inspection Checklist preview

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The numbers behind this PUWER work equipment inspection checklist

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<div style="max-width:480px;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,'Segoe UI',Roboto,sans-serif;border:1px solid #E5E7EB;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;background:#ffffff;">
  <p style="font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#071D49;margin:0;">Free template</p>
  <p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">PUWER Work Equipment Inspection Checklist</p>
  <ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Equipment details: description, make, model, serial/asset number, location, date of inspection.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Inspector details: name, role, competence (training and experience relevant to this equipment).</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Suitability (Reg 4): is the equipment suitable for the work it is being used for, and the conditions of use?</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Maintenance (Reg 5): is the equipment maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair? Is there a maintenance log?</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Inspection (Reg 6): has the equipment been inspected at suitable intervals? Are inspection records available?</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Guards and protection devices (Regs 11-13): are all guards in place, secure and functioning? Are interlocks operational?</li>
  </ul>
  <p style="font-size:13px;color:#6B7280;margin:14px 0 0;padding-top:12px;border-top:1px solid #E5E7EB;">Free <a href="https://www.maptrack.com/templates/puwer-work-equipment-inspection-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">PUWER Work Equipment Inspection Checklist</a> by MapTrack</p>
</div>

Free to reuse, including commercially. This template is published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. Copy it, adapt it, put it on your own site or in your own docs. All we ask is that you credit MapTrack with a link back to this page. The snippet above already includes that credit, so if you use it as-is you’re covered.

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The MapTrack PUWER work equipment inspection checklist contains 31 checks across 6 sections.

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MapTrack PUWER Work Equipment Inspection Checklist, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/puwer-work-equipment-inspection-checklist
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MapTrack. (2026). PUWER Work Equipment Inspection Checklist [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/puwer-work-equipment-inspection-checklist

Free to reuse with credit under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. If you’d rather link straight to it, the page is https://www.maptrack.com/templates/puwer-work-equipment-inspection-checklist.

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