By Danielle

The provision and use of work equipment regulations was first introduced in
1992 but was replaced by a more update version in 1998. The regulation is
often abbreviated to PUWER . The regulation lays down requirements for
employees regarding the safety and use of all work equipment including
machinery. The main objective of the regulation is to ensure that work
equipment should not result in health and safety risks.
PUWER requires that equipment provided for use at work is:

suitable for use, and for the purpose and conditions in which it is to be used;

maintained in a safe condition for use so that people’s health and safety is not
at risk;

inspected, in certain circumstances, to ensure that it is and continues to be safe
for use. Any inspection should be carried out by a competent person (this could
be an employee if they have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to
perform the task) and a record kept until the next inspection.

taking appropriate ‘hardware’ measures, eg providing suitable guards,
protection devices, markings and warning devices, system control devices (such
as emergency stop buttons) and personal protective equipment;

taking appropriate ‘software’ measures such as following safe systems of work
(eg ensuring maintenance is only performed when equipment is shut down etc),
and providing adequate information, instruction and training about the specific
equipment.

This regulation relates to the beauty industry because we use a
range of different equipment to perform our treatments we do in
the beauty industry. For example as a beauty therapist some of the
equipment we use are magnifying lamps, steamers and infra red
lamps. All of this equipment is electrical so it is important that the
equipment has been PAT tested so you know that it has been
checked to see if its safe to use. Also before using any of the
equipment you should ensure that you have checked the
equipment is working properly and doesn’t have any broken plugs
or wires before using as this could cause a risk to you and your
client. Other equipment such as the couches and chairs must be
checked to see that they are not broken. For example, if there was
a wheel missing on a chair it is your responsibility as a beauty
therapist that you identify the risk and make sure you take the
measures needed to reduce the hazard and also as an employee
report it to your manager so they are aware.

If you were not to follow these regulations
it could end up in an employee or even a
client being put in danger by the use of
unsafe equipment. This could effect your
business as it could mean that the person
who was put at risk could sue your
business as you have put their health and
safety in danger and it could even result in
your business being shut down as you
were unable to comply with the regulations
to ensure that work equipment is safe to
use.

The provision and use of work equipment
regulations effect the beauty industry because
as a therapist we have to use lots of different
equipment to be able to carry out a treatment,
so it is important that the equipment is
checked regularly to see that it is still working
properly and that it is safe to use. Otherwise if
the regulations were not followed and the
equipment wasn't safe to use it may cause
harm to you as the therapist who is using the
equipment or even cause a health and safety
risk to client if you were to use it on them.