Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), employers have a legal duty to ensure that work equipment is safe, suitable, and properly maintained. Yet across factories and industrial sites, the same compliance gaps continue to appear — often unnoticed until an inspection, audit, or incident brings them to light.
Below are some of the most frequently identified PUWER non-compliances on factory machinery.
Understanding who is responsible under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) is essential for maintaining workplace safety and legal compliance. While employers carry the primary duty to ensure work equipment is safe, properly maintained, and used by trained staff, responsibility can also extend to managers, supervisors, contractors, and equipment operators depending on their level of control. In this guide, we explain the key differences between employer responsibilities and duty holder obligations, how the regulations are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive, and what organisations must do to remain compliant with UK health and safety law.
PUWER breaches are one of the most common causes of HSE enforcement action in the UK. From unguarded machinery and inadequate maintenance to missing training records, real cases show how small compliance gaps can lead to serious injuries, substantial fines, and lasting reputational damage.
In this article, we examine real enforcement examples, explain where businesses went wrong, and outline practical steps you can take to protect your workforce and demonstrate compliance. If you’re responsible for work equipment safety, this is essential reading.
PUWER Machinery Risk Assessments (UK) – Ensure Legal Compliance & Reduce Risk
A PUWER machinery risk assessment is a legal requirement under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. If your business operates machinery, you must ensure equipment is safe, properly maintained, adequately guarded, and used by trained personnel.
Our in-depth guide explains what PUWER requires, how to carry out a compliant machinery risk assessment, and how to protect your organisation from enforcement action by the Health and Safety Executive.
In this article you’ll learn:
What a PUWER machinery risk assessment includes
When assessments must be completed
Common compliance failures businesses make
How to demonstrate competence and due diligence
How PUWER links to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Whether you operate manufacturing equipment, production lines, CNC machinery, or plant equipment, this guide will help you understand your legal duties and reduce machinery-related risk.
Read the full guide to ensure your business remains compliant, protected, and inspection-ready.
