What is PUWER and what equipment does it cover?

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.

Who can perform a PUWER equipment inspection?

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).

How often should PUWER inspections be carried out?

PUWER does not prescribe a fixed inspection frequency. Regulation 6 requires inspections at suitable intervals determined by risk assessment. 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.

What is the difference between PUWER and LOLER?

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.

Free puwer work equipment inspection checklist

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

Last updated: 2026-04-20

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 20 April 2026

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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. A completed checklist provides documented evidence of PUWER compliance 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 provide documentary evidence of PUWER compliance for HSE enforcement visits and insurance inspections.
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.
Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
Ability to share forms digitally.
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.
Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
Escalate critical hazards instantly to safety managers via push notification.
Maintain an auditable safety register that satisfies WHS regulator requests.
Correlate incident trends across sites with built-in safety analytics.

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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

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.
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.
Inspect all guards, protection devices and interlocks. Verify emergency stop controls are accessible and functioning.: PUWER Regulations 11 to 13 require 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.
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.
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.
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 does not specify a minimum retention period, but 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.

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How often should you complete this checklist?

PUWER Regulation 6 requires that work equipment 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.

Frequently asked questions

What is PUWER and what equipment does it cover?: 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.
Who can perform a PUWER equipment inspection?: 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).
How often should PUWER inspections be carried out?: PUWER does not prescribe a fixed inspection frequency. Regulation 6 requires inspections at suitable intervals determined by risk assessment. 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.
What is the difference between PUWER and LOLER?: 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.

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