PUWER 1998 · Work equipment

Hand tools inspection under PUWER

Independent inspection of your hand tools as work equipment, against the PUWER duties, by a competent engineer surveyor.

Hand and power tools look low risk next to a production line, yet a missing grinder guard or a cracked abrasive wheel can do serious harm in a moment. PUWER covers these tools as work equipment, kept in good condition and used with the guards the maker fitted.

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  • Independent and impartial
  • Competent engineer surveyors
  • Reports issued promptly
Risk basedInterval set by how hard the tools are worked, not a fixed date
Guarding ledGuards and abrasive wheels in good order
A written recordA dated inspection record, not a certificate
Electrical apartPAT is a separate electrical check, we cover the mechanical side
Work equipment we inspect

Why your hand tools needs PUWER inspection

PUWER covers hand-held and portable tools as well as larger machinery: drills, angle grinders, circular and reciprocating saws, nail guns and powered cutters, along with manual tools. They must be suitable for the task, kept in good condition and used according to the maker's instructions, with the risks of vibration, noise and electrical fault managed.

Under Regulation 6 the inspection is risk-based, and for simple tools the answer to deterioration is often repair or replacement rather than elaborate testing. We cover the mechanical side: the guards on grinders and saws, the abrasive wheels and their mounting and marked speed, the condition of handles, casings and cutting parts, and the on, off and lock-off controls. Electrical safety is a separate matter, handled by portable appliance testing under the electrical regulations, which we flag but do not confuse with the mechanical inspection.

Guards and shields
Abrasive wheels
On, off and lock-off
Handles and grips
Casings and bodies
Cutting parts and blades
Triggers and dead-man controls
Cables flagged for PAT
How it works

How we inspect your hand tools

A competent engineer surveyor goes through the tools by type: the guards on grinders and saws that keep the wheel and blade enclosed, the abrasive wheels for mounting, marked speed and condition, the handles, casings and cutting parts for damage, and the controls. The mechanical condition is recorded, with worn or damaged tools marked for repair or replacement.

  • 1

    Get in touch

    Tell us the hand and power tools you run, what they are used for and how heavily.

  • 2

    On-site inspection

    A competent engineer surveyor inspects the tools by type, their guards, wheels, condition and controls, on the mechanical side.

  • 3

    Your record

    You receive a clear, dated inspection record, anything worn or damaged marked for action and the next date to plan around.

Why businesses choose SEIS

  • Independent and impartial: we inspect the tools, we do not sell or hire them
  • Competent engineer surveyors used to portable and hand-held tools
  • Inspection of the mechanical condition, with the PAT boundary made clear
  • Clear records issued promptly, with the next due date flagged
What we check

Hand tools: what a thorough inspection covers

Guards and shields

The wheel guard on a grinder and the guards on saws and cutters, checked so they are present, secure and correctly set, because a removed guard exposes the operator to the moving part.

Abrasive wheels

The wheel mounting, the marked maximum speed against the tool, and the wheel itself for cracks and wear, since an over-speed or damaged wheel can shatter at high revolutions.

Condition of bodies and handles

Cracked casings, damaged handles and the mushroomed heads of struck tools, the everyday wear that turns a tool into a hazard.

Cutting parts and blades

Blades, bits and cutters for damage, sharpness and secure fitting, so a tool cuts as intended and does not snatch or break up.

Controls and lock-off

The on, off, trigger and dead-man controls and any lock-off, so a tool starts and stops as it should and cannot run on unattended.

Vibration and the PAT boundary

Anti-vibration features where fitted, and a note of which tools also need portable appliance testing for electrical safety, a separate check under the electrical regulations.

Intervals and your record

How often, and what you receive

PUWER sets no fixed interval for hand and power tools. Under Regulation 6 the frequency follows the risk: at suitable intervals because tools are exposed to wear and damage, and again after any event that could have affected one. For simple tools the answer to deterioration is repair or replacement, supported by the operator's pre-use check. Note that this is the mechanical inspection. Electrical safety is covered separately by portable appliance testing under the Electricity at Work Regulations.

No fixed intervalFrequency set by risk and how the equipment is used
After assemblyRe-inspected where safe use depends on correct assembly or relocation
A written recordA dated inspection record, not a statutory certificate
Where it liftsAny powered lifting function is examined under LOLER

Anyone selling a PUWER certificate is using a marketing word, not a legal one. We issue a clear, dated inspection record you can hand to an HSE inspector or your insurer.

The price follows your equipment, not a rate card: see what drives a PUWER inspection quote.

Full statutory cover

Part of our full PUWER inspection service

Hand tools is one of the many kinds of equipment we cover. We inspect the full range, across every sector, as an independent provider, one item or a whole site, anywhere in the UK.

See our full PUWER inspection service
Other services

Other statutory inspections we carry out

Many sites run more than one regime. We can examine all of it, under one independent provider.

LOLER inspectionThorough examination and certification of lifting equipment and accessories. PSSR examinationWritten Schemes and certified examination of pressure systems. LEV testingLEV thorough examination and test of your extraction systems.
PUWER FAQs

Hand tools inspection: common questions

Do hand and power tools need a PUWER inspection?
Yes. Hand-held and portable tools are work equipment, so PUWER applies: they must be suitable, kept in good condition and used to the maker's instructions, with guards and safety devices in order. The duty is set out in the HSE guidance on PUWER.
Is it a PUWER certificate or a record?
A record. PUWER produces a written inspection record, not a statutory certificate, kept at least until the next inspection. There is no such thing as a PUWER certificate. We issue a clear, dated record you can hand to an HSE inspector or your insurer, and our guide to PUWER explains the difference.
Is a PUWER tool inspection the same as PAT testing?
No. The PUWER inspection covers the mechanical side: guards, abrasive wheels, condition and controls. Portable appliance testing covers electrical safety under the Electricity at Work Regulations and is a separate check. We are clear about which is which and flag the tools that also need PAT.
How often should tools be inspected?
There is no fixed interval. The frequency follows the risk and how hard the tools are worked, supported by the operator's pre-use check before each use. For simple tools the answer to a defect is repair or replacement rather than testing, and we help you set a sensible cycle.
What does the inspection cover?
The guards on grinders and saws, the abrasive wheels and their mounting and marked speed, the condition of casings, handles and cutting parts, and the on, off, trigger and lock-off controls. We note any anti-vibration features and the tools that also need PAT.
Who is competent to inspect hand tools?
PUWER requires a competent person, someone with the knowledge and experience to know what to look at, what to look for and what to do about anything found. Our engineer surveyors inspect portable and hand-held tools regularly.
What about abrasive wheels?
Abrasive wheels get particular attention. We check the wheel is mounted correctly, that its marked maximum speed suits the tool and that the wheel is free of cracks and excessive wear, because a wheel run over speed or in poor condition can shatter and cause serious injury.
Do you inspect tools across the UK?
Yes. Our engineer surveyors travel to workshops, sites and depots nationwide, a toolroom or a full inventory. Call 0330 043 8191 to arrange a visit around your operation.

Is your hand tools due a PUWER inspection?

Talk to an engineer surveyor, get a quote and book your inspection anywhere in the UK.

0330 043 8191 Request a quote