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Reduced Incident Risk
Lower the likelihood of serious injury, enforcement action and unplanned downtime by identifying equipment hazards early.
PUWER ASSESSMENTS FOR UK BUSINESSES
Helping you meet PUWER regulations with confidence.
Reduce machinery risk, improve compliance, and give your team confidence that work equipment is safe, suitable, and properly managed.
- Competent consultant-led PUWER assessments on-site
- Practical findings, prioritised actions, and clear next steps
- Support for single sites or multi-site estates across the UK
Established 1989. Independent, family-run with ex-enforcement expertise.
Our clients
If you operate machinery, PUWER is already in play
PUWER applies wherever work equipment is used. The gaps that lead to enforcement or serious incidents are rarely about missing paperwork. They are practical control failures around guarding, isolation, maintenance, competence and inspection evidence.
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Clear Compliance Position
Demonstrate a competent, structured approach to work equipment risk with documented findings and prioritised actions.
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Actionable Improvements
Receive practical recommendations your engineering and operations teams can implement quickly and effectively.
Get in touch for your free consultation
A no-obligation conversation with our health and safety consultants.
What PUWER requires in practice
PUWER places duties on organisations that own, operate, or control work equipment and requires that equipment is suitable, maintained, inspected where needed, used by trained people, and supported by appropriate protective measures such as guarding and controls.
Inspection is required in specific circumstances, for example after installation before first use (where safety depends on installation), after reassembly at a new site, and at suitable intervals where deterioration could create danger. There is no one-size-fits-all frequency; it should be risk-based and documented.
PUWER assessments that produce actionable fixes
Our consultants assess your work equipment against PUWER expectations and provide a clear, prioritised plan to close gaps quickly and safely.
Equipment suitability and application
We assess whether machinery is suitable for its intended task and environment, including any changes in use, load, materials or process that could introduce additional risk.
Guarding and protective measures
Review of fixed and interlocked guards, protective devices, safe access arrangements and whether control measures are appropriate for the level of risk.
Controls and emergency systems
Assessment of start and stop controls, emergency stops, control reliability and overall control system safety.
Isolation and maintenance safety
Evaluation of lock-off arrangements, energy isolation procedures and safe access for cleaning, servicing and breakdown response.
Inspection and maintenance management
Review of maintenance regimes, inspection frequency, evidence of checks, and whether deterioration risks are properly managed and recorded.
Information, instruction and training
Assessment of markings, warnings, operating instructions, operator competence, supervision and training records.
Safe systems of work
Review of how equipment is actually used, including setting, clearing jams, cleaning and maintenance activities.
Designed for operational environments with real machinery risk
Manufacturing
Supporting safe, compliant operation of production lines, machinery and automated processes.
Engineering
Supporting compliant use of technical equipment, workshops and complex operational environments.
Logistics & Transport
Supporting safe use of materials handling equipment, fleet-related systems and warehouse operations.
Construction
Supporting compliant management of site plant, contractor equipment and project-based machinery risks.
Our PUWER assessment process
01
Scope and asset list
We confirm equipment types, operational context, recent changes, and what “good” needs to look like for your risk profile.
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On-site assessment
A competent consultant reviews equipment condition, guarding, controls, isolation, and how equipment is actually used.
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Report and prioritised action plan
You receive a practical plan with clear recommendations, including quick wins and higher-risk issues requiring engineering action.
Our clients say
At D&H we are passionate about continuously improving our H&S standards and SML have played a key role in helping us on this journey for many years. We continue to develop the relationship with SML to ensure we’re being the best we can be across all aspects of H&S throughout our business.
Julian Willis
Supply Chain Director
Why work with Safety Management?
- Established in 1989, independent and family-run consultancy
- UK-wide team with deep, practical regulatory experience
- Consultancy-led approach focused on implementation and risk reduction
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers to common PUWER questions, based on the challenges organisations face every day.
What is PUWER?
PUWER is the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. It sets duties for safe selection, use, maintenance, inspection where needed, and training around work equipment.
Do we need a PUWER inspection or a PUWER risk assessment?
Most organisations need a competent assessment of work equipment risks and compliance, plus documented inspections where required (for example after installation, relocation, or where deterioration is likely).
How often do PUWER inspections need to be done?
PUWER does not set a single interval for all equipment. Suitable intervals depend on risk, conditions, and likelihood of deterioration, and should be justified and recorded.
Does UKCA or CE marking mean we are compliant?
Marking helps show conformity at supply, but employers still need to ensure equipment is safe in use, suitable for the task, and properly managed under PUWER.
Does PUWER apply to hired or leased equipment?
Yes. Duties apply to those who control the equipment and those whose employees use it, even if they do not own it.
What equipment is covered?
Work equipment is very broad: machinery, appliances, tools, and installations used at work, including activities like setting, cleaning, maintenance, and repair.
Can you support multi-site programmes?
Yes. We can standardise assessment outputs, prioritisation, and close-out across sites and support ongoing governance.
Can you help manage inspections and evidence long-term?
Yes. We can help improve statutory inspection oversight where it applies and strengthen record keeping and action tracking.
Book a free PUWER consultation
If you'd like to explore how we can support your organisation, our consultants are here to help.
Get in touch