9.1 Introduction

This chapter covers the scope and main requirements for work equipment as covered by Parts II and III of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998. The requirements for the supply of new machinery are also included. Summaries of PUWER and The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 are given in Chapter 17. The safe use of hand tools, hand-held power tools and the proper safe-guarding of a small range of machinery used in industry and commerce is included.

Figure 9.1: Typical machinery safety notice

Any equipment used by an employee at work is generally covered by the term Work Equipment . The scope is extremely wide and includes, hand tools, power tools, ladders, photocopiers, laboratory apparatus, lifting equipment, fork lift trucks, and motor vehicles (which are not privately owned). Virtually anything used to do a job of work, including employees own equipment, is covered. The uses covered include starting or stopping the equipment, repairing, modifying, maintaining, servicing, cleaning and transporting.

Employers and the self-employed must ensure that work equipment is suitable; maintained; inspected if necessary; provided with adequate information and instruction; and only used by people who have received sufficient training.

9.2 Suitability of Work Equipment and CE Marking

When work equipment is provided it has to conform to standards which cover its supply as a new or secondhand piece of equipment and its use in the workplace. This involves:

• its initial integrity

• the place where it will be used

• the purpose for which it...