Provision and Use of Work Equipment
(PUWER) - Machinery Code of Practice
Effective from 7 April 2014
Version Number: 1.0
Author: Dave Lamb
Health, Safety & Wellbeing
ate
University of Salford
Machinery and Work Equipment Code of Practice V1.0
Document Control Information
Status and reason for development
Status:
New document.
Reason for
development:
This document details the arrangements for ensuring work equipment is compliant with PUWER
legislation and is safe to use.
Revision History
Date
28/4/14
Author
Dave Lamb
Summary of changes
Document developed
Version No.
V1.0
Code of Practice Management and Responsibilities
Owner:
Associate Director of Health, Safety & Wellbeing
Author:
Others with responsibilities
(please specify):
The owner has delegated responsibility for day to day management of the
Code to the Safety/Fire Safety Officer
All subjects of the Code will be responsible for engaging with and adhering to
this policy.
Assessment
Cross relevant assessments
Equality Analysis
Legal
Information Governance
Academic Governance
x
Cross if not applicable
x
x
x
Cross relevant consultations
Consultation
Staff Trades Unions via H&S Committee
Students via USSU
Any relevant external bodies
(please specify)
…………………………………..
Authorised by:
Associate Director of Health, Safety & Wellbeing
Date authorised:
28 April 2014
Effective from:
28 April 2014
Review due:
Document location:
2 years from date authorised
www.salford.ac.uk/hr
www.salford.ac.uk/university/governance/policies-and-procedures
Document dissemination and communications plan
The Safety/Fire Safety Officer will circulate to the Health and Safety Coordinators for the Colleges and Professional
Services to enable promotion throughout their area of responsibility.
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University of Salford
Machinery and Work Equipment Code of Practice V1.0
1.0 Purpose
To ensure compliance with PUWER regulations and ensure the safety of staff, students and visitors.
2.0 Scope
This code of practice applies to all employees with responsibility for machinery.
3.0 Code of Practice Statements
Introduction
The University recognises that there are a number of workplaces where hazardous machinery or processes are
used. These are primarily:
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Engineering / woodworking workshops.
Laboratories.
Research facilities.
The safety of work equipment is regulated by the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (1998)
(PUWER). These regulations apply to all work equipment but this document focusses on the higher risk activities
mentioned above. Failure to comply with the requirements of PUWER is a criminal offence and liable to lead to
enforcement action or prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The University avoids or manages the risks from equipment / machinery by;
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Avoiding the use of hazardous machinery by purchasing items ready-made or contracting out work where
possible.
Identifying and using safer alternatives where possible.
Risk assessing equipment and processes to identify significant risks and adequate control measures.
Ensuring equipment’s guarding / enclosures around hazards are in place and adequate.
Inspecting and maintaining equipment to ensure it is in full working order and any safety devices function
as designed and are clearly identifiable.
Providing training / refresher training for operators of machinery.
Providing information and instruction on the safe operation of equipment.
Having written Safe Systems of Work where the risk assessment identifies this as a control measure.
Purchasing equipment that meets relevant British Standards and is CE marked.
Limiting / restricting use of higher risk machinery to competent technical staff.
Providing Personal Protective Equipment.
‘Equipment’ and ‘Use’ - Definitions
When PUWER refers to 'work equipment' it is very broad and literally means any equipment provided for ‘use’ at
work including:
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machines (e.g. wood / metal working machines, power presses, ovens)
hand tools (e.g. screwdrivers, knives, hand saws, hammers)
lifting equipment (e.g. lift trucks, hoists, lifting slings)
other equipment (e.g. ladders, apparatus such as laboratory apparatus)
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University of Salford
Machinery and Work Equipment Code of Practice V1.0
'Use’ of equipment is also very broad and includes starting, stopping, repairing, modifying, servicing, maintaining,
cleaning and transporting.
PUWER Risk Assessment
As stated all work equipment with significant hazards should be risk assessed and, where risks cannot be
eliminated, suitable and sufficient control measures identified.
When risk assessing work equipment it is important to consider all its possible applications in normal use.
Consideration needs to be given to the person(s) who will be using it and if they, through lack of experience,
immaturity or ability, will increase the risk to themselves and others, from use of the equipment.
Maintenance, set-up, repairs and other activities involving the equipment should also be included.
Check that the machinery is complete with all necessary guards and protective devices in place and functioning.
The HSE produce several approved codes of practice and guidance notes for specific types of machinery such as
woodworking machinery, welding equipment and lifting equipment (also regulated under LOLER). These give
advice on best practice and what the regulations require and are free to download from the HSE website. Where
the machinery is complex or requires a particular level of competence, it may be more effective to use an external
contractor to check compliance in accordance with the regulations, and install any additional safety measures, such
as guarding on older machinery.
Any by-products of the equipment such as dust, fumes, swarf, heat (including sparks) and offcuts should be
considered in the risk assessment.
Maintenance / Inspection Records
Regular inspection and maintenance of equipment is vital to ensure it functions correctly and faults are identified
early.
Maintenance and inspection may be carried out by a competent Technician or Contractor.
Records should be kept of these inspections stating
 the date of inspection,
 what was inspected,
 any maintenance work carried out,
 faults identified and who carried the work out
Equipment should be taken out of service and clearly labelled ‘do not use’ if any faults which may affect the safety
of the equipment and operators are found. Where powered equipment is found to be faulty then this should be
either locked off or quarantined until repair or disposal.
Monitoring and Review
Monitoring of equipment including any accidents or near misses can help identify risks which aren’t adequately
controlled. Accidents and near misses must be reported to HS&W. Risk assessments should be reviewed at least
annually or if any significant changes are made to the equipment or process or an accident or near miss happens.
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University of Salford
Machinery and Work Equipment Code of Practice V1.0
Purchasing equipment and ensuring conformity
Purchasers must ensure that any products they buy comply with any legal requirements implementing any
Directives applicable to the product. In general, this has been achieved when a product displays a 'CE Marking'. In
respect of machinery, adequate operating instructions need to be provided with the equipment in addition to
information about residual hazards (i.e. noise, vibration etc.).
Users who directly import non-CE marked machinery from outside the EEA also have to meet the Supply of
Machinery (Safety) Regulations as if they were the manufacturer.
Users who make machinery for their own use also have the full manufactures' responsibilities for CE marking and
compliance with the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations.
If equipment is supplied second hand it is the duty of the supplier to make sure it is safe and that there are
instructions to enable safe use. Second hand equipment may not always have CE marking. As user, you have a duty
to make sure that second-hand machinery is: safe when put into use; suitable for the selected work; and
maintained in a safe condition.
4.0 Code of Practice Monitoring and Performance
Compliance with PUWER will monitored during the health and safety management systems audits.
5.0 Related Documentation
N/A
6.0 Training and Support
Some staff may require additional training in PUWER or methods for installing safety devices.
7.0 Appendices
Useful links
http://www.hse.gov.uk/work-equipment-machinery/puwer.htm
http://www.puwer98.co.uk/
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg271.pdf
www.salford.ac.uk/hr
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