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PUWER Risk Assessment

Protect your people. Protect your plant.

Machinery makes the job easier. Until it doesn’t.
If your kit can cut, crush, move, lift, spin, or slice, then PUWER applies.
And that’s where we come in.

York Green’s PUWER Risk Assessments give you a clear, practical picture of how safe your work equipment really is — and what to do next to keep people protected and operations running smoothly.

PUWER Risk Assessment Machinery Safety

What is a PUWER Risk Assessment?

A PUWER Risk Assessment looks at whether your equipment is suitable, safe, and properly maintained for the work it does.

It’s not a paperwork exercise, it’s a review of how your machinery is used day to day.
We look at:

  • The equipment’s condition, guarding, and controls

  • Whether it’s being used safely and by trained, competent people

  • Maintenance and inspection records

  • Electrical, mechanical, and operational risks

  • Emergency stop systems, isolation, and signage

The goal is simple: spot the gaps, reduce the risks, and make compliance straightforward.

What’s Included in a PUWER Risk Assessment

When York Green carries out your PUWER assessment, you’ll get:

  • On-site inspection and observation of your machinery in operation

  • Detailed risk assessment of each asset or group of equipment

  • Clear recommendations prioritised by risk and practicality

  • Action plan and guidance for maintenance, training, and safe use

  • Support for ongoing compliance and record keeping

Every report is written in plain English, easy to read, easy to act on.

PUWER Risk Assessment Machinery Safety

Who Needs a PUWER Assessment?

You likely need one if you:

Any employer or business that uses or operates work equipment.
That includes:

  • Business owners and site managers

  • Maintenance and engineering leads

  • Safety professionals responsible for compliance

Even if your equipment came CE or UKCA-marked, PUWER still requires you to ensure it’s safe for the specific tasks, environment, and people using it. Whether you have ten tools or ten thousand, we’ll help you get clarity, compliance, and control.

Why choose York Green?

We’re not just assessors, we’re your Safety Partners.
Our consultants blend technical know-how with real industry experience, helping you turn complex regulations into practical steps that protect people and productivity.

  • Fully qualified, experienced assessors

  • No-fuss reports and clear action plans

  • UK-wide service

  • Practical, actionable solutions

  • Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

What is PUWER?

PUWER stands for the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.
It’s UK law that requires employers to make sure any equipment or machinery used at work is safe, suitable, and properly maintained. PUWER applies to almost all workplaces, from factories and workshops to offices and construction sites, and covers everything from power tools to production lines.

What is the purpose of PUWER?

The aim of PUWER is simple: to prevent people from being injured by work equipment.
It requires employers to:

  • Provide machinery that is fit for purpose and maintained in a safe condition

  • Ensure that only trained and competent people use it

  • Put suitable controls and safeguards in place

  • Inspect and maintain equipment regularly

By following PUWER, businesses reduce the risk of serious injury, downtime, and enforcement action.

Does PUWER apply to my business?

If your team uses any kind of work equipment, then yes — PUWER applies to you.
That includes hand tools, drills, forklifts, presses, CNC machines, conveyors, and even office kit like shredders and cleaning equipment.
In short: if it’s used at work, PUWER applies.

What is a PUWER Risk Assessment?

A PUWER Risk Assessment looks at whether your equipment meets the requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.
It identifies hazards associated with your machinery and checks that appropriate safety measures, maintenance, training, and controls are in place.
York Green’s PUWER assessments provide a clear, actionable plan to keep your people and plant safe, without unnecessary jargon.

What does a PUWER Risk Assessment include?

A comprehensive PUWER assessment will usually cover:

  • A full inspection of machinery and equipment in use

  • Checks on guarding, controls, and emergency stops

  • Review of maintenance and inspection records

  • Assessment of operator competence and training

  • Recommendations for improving machinery safety and compliance

You’ll receive a detailed report with prioritised actions so you can focus on what matters most.

Who can carry out a PUWER Risk Assessment?

PUWER requires that assessments be done by a competent person, someone with the right technical knowledge and experience in machinery safety and workplace risk.
That’s where York Green comes in.
Our consultants combine practical engineering know-how with regulatory expertise, giving you advice you can actually use.

How often should a PUWER assessment be reviewed?

There’s no fixed legal timeframe, but good practice is to review your PUWER assessment:

  • When machinery is installed, modified, or relocated

  • When incidents or near-misses occur

  • When work processes or operators change

  • Periodically as part of your planned maintenance and safety review schedule

Regular reviews ensure your machinery safety standards stay current and compliant.

How does PUWER link to other safety regulations?

PUWER often overlaps with other workplace safety laws such as:

  • LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations)

  • DSEAR (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations)

  • The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

A PUWER assessment ensures that your machinery safety measures align with these wider legal duties, creating a complete picture of compliance.