Quick answer
Manage work equipment throughout its use: choose suitable equipment, provide safeguards and trained users, arrange the inspections and maintenance needed, and deal with defects promptly. PUWER can apply to equipment used at work even when the business does not own it. The inspection arrangements must fit the equipment and risk.
Equipment safety includes cleaning and maintenance
Buying a machine does not finish the safety work. Normal operation, adjustment, cleaning, blockages and maintenance can expose different people to different hazards.
HSE’s PUWER overview explains the Great Britain duties for suitable, safe work equipment and adequate safeguards, information and training. HSENI describes the separate NI 1999 regulations. Check the applicable regime rather than calling the GB regulations UK-wide.
1. Match equipment and users to the task
Check the intended use, loads, environment and manufacturer’s instructions before introducing equipment. Consider safe access for cleaning and maintenance, the space around it and how it interacts with other work.
- Identify who may operate, clean, adjust and maintain it.
- Provide the information, instruction, training and supervision those roles need.
- Check that safeguards and controls suit the actual use.
- Explain fault reporting and what to do when the normal method cannot be followed.
- Check hired or worker-provided equipment as appropriate, rather than assuming ownership determines responsibility.
Some equipment also has additional requirements. A general PUWER check does not replace specialist duties for matters such as lifting or pressure systems.
2. Use a task-specific equipment checklist
HSE’s catering maintenance guidance highlights guards, correct reassembly and maintenance of machinery, steam and warewashing equipment. The following is an original manager’s planning aid, to use with the equipment instructions.
| Equipment or stage | Question to resolve |
|---|---|
| Mixer | Do the provided safeguards and agreed method prevent access to dangerous movement during the relevant tasks? |
| Slicer | Are the correct safeguards, cleaning method and authorised reassembly checks understood? |
| Warewasher | Are hot water, steam, cleaning substances and access during work adequately controlled? |
| Before use | What safe user checks are required, and how is a defect escalated? |
| Cleaning or maintenance | Who applies the equipment-specific safe isolation and handback arrangements? |
Do not bypass a guard to complete a check or continue because a machine still runs. A control defect may require it to be taken out of use.
3. Decide what inspection is needed
HSE distinguishes simple pre-use checks from formal equipment inspection. Relevant triggers include installation conditions, deterioration and exceptional events that may jeopardise safety. Choose the scope and interval through assessment, manufacturer information and competent advice.
For GB inspections covered by that guidance, keep the inspection result at least until the next inspection. HSE says the simplest pre-use checks do not normally need records. Avoid demanding the same lengthy form for every item or assuming that one annual “PUWER certificate” covers the whole equipment programme.
4. Close the loop on defects and maintenance
HSE’s maintenance guidance calls for competent work, safe arrangements and reporting of faults. Provide a way to prevent unsafe equipment returning to service before the relevant checks and repairs are complete.
Hypothetical example: a recurring guard fault
A slicer guard repeatedly fails a required check. The manager removes the machine from use through the agreed procedure and arranges competent assessment. They also check why previous reports did not produce a lasting repair and how safe handback will be confirmed.
- Training only the operator. Include cleaning, adjustment and maintenance roles.
- Ignoring worker-owned equipment. Check equipment used for the work.
- Inspecting without acting. Assign defects and verify safe completion.
- A blanket interval. Use the equipment’s risks and conditions.
Next steps
- List the equipment and the tasks across its working life.
- Confirm suitability, safeguards and authorised competence.
- Set appropriate checks, inspection and maintenance.
- Manage defects and safe return to use with clear responsibility.
Check HSE’s PUWER overview — Use the official requirements to scope the equipment programme and identify additional duties.
Relevant next resource
Level 3 Health & Safety in the Workplace
The verified Level 3 workplace course covers equipment safety, management responsibilities and safe systems; it does not qualify someone for specialist machinery work.
From £43.50 GBP
Available
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