Employers must ensure that all work equipment is safe and doesn't pose a hazard or risk to employee health. 

Workplace equipment in industry sectors

Many industry sectors use workplace equipment. This includes those using heavy machinery, such as:

• manufacturing
• agriculture
• construction
• forestry
• quarries

The rules also apply to all other workplaces, such as:

• offices
• shops
• hotels
• engineering businesses 
• car repair services

Employers must ensure that those using equipment have enough knowledge and training to use it safely.

Examples of workplace equipment 

The regulations cover many types of equipment, including:

• manufacturing - including welding tools, production lines, furnaces, machine tools, circular saws, power presses and lifting equipment
• building and construction - items such as hand-held power tools, ladders, hammers, drills, knives and screwdrivers
• offices - items such as computers and photocopiers
• workplace and off-road vehicles - including dumper and forklift trucks, tractors, rail and road haulage vehicles

Equipment with moving parts and some kind of drive unit is normally known as machinery. Download buying new machinery guidance (PDF, 110K).

You must ensure work equipment is safe under:

• the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)
• the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations.

In particular equipment must be:

• suitable for the job 
• maintained to keep it safe at all times
• inspected at suitable intervals if wear and tear might cause risks
• inspected before first use if the equipment's safety depends on how it was set up
• assessed for levels of noise and vibration operators and others are exposed to

There are also further duties if you buy machinery. See purchase the safest workplace equipment and machinery.

You'll need to assess the risks of using the equipment as part of your overall health and safety risk assessment. See health and safety risk assessment.

If your risk assessment highlights any potential problems, you must make sure you minimise these risks. You may need to:

• remove the risk or change the item to a safer one
• provide suitable protective guards, emergency stop buttons and warning notices
• develop new work processes or find other ways to limit regular exposure to high noise and vibration levels
• minimise risks by introducing instruction manuals, training and refresher courses
• provide suitable personal protective equipment

The rules also cover mobile work equipment such as dumper trucks and forklift vehicles.

You must make sure that you minimise risks for passengers, drivers and anyone near the vehicle. This may involve fitting seat belts, exterior lights and warning alarms that can be heard outside the vehicle. Download a guide to managing vehicle safety in the workplace (PDF, 374K).

There are many hazards involved in the use of workplace equipment. For example:

• Cutting equipment could cause trapping or amputation of limbs. 
• A forklift truck could roll over. This could cause crush injuries.
• Equipment that uses heat could cause injuries such as scalding and burns. This includes ovens, grills and welding equipment.
• Equipment that emits very bright light could cause damage to skin or eyes. This includes lasers or sources of ultraviolet light.
• Equipment that transmits vibrations into the hand or arm (HAV), or whole body (WBV) could cause long-term illness or disability. This includes grinding equipment and tractors.
• Certain equipment where people have to work in confined spaces can pose a risk of asphyxiation. For example storage tanks that could develop an unbreathable atmosphere or fill up with noxious fumes. 

Download exposure to HAV guidance (PDF, 154K).

Assess the risks

Your risk assessment needs to assess the likelihood of such hazards occurring. Look at risks which occur not just during the normal operation of the equipment but also during:

• installation
• maintenance
• repairs
• breakdowns
• servicing

Remember the law isn't just for factories, warehouses and building sites. You have responsibilities for equipment if you're running an office, shop, hotel or any business.

See health and safety risk assessment.

Everyone who uses equipment should undergo initial training before using the equipment. They should also attend regular refresher courses. You must provide them with appropriate safety equipment. You should consider whether any specific groups of users might be at risk, young people for example.

There may be additional risks due to the way in which a piece of equipment is powered or heated, such as electricity and gas. Download an electrical safety guide (PDF, 113K).

You can minimise the residual risks caused by workplace equipment by implementing measures:

• Buy the right equipment and machinery for the job and ensure it is suitable for the intended use. Having the right tools for a task reduces risks. See purchase the right equipment.
• Provide safety guards on parts of equipment which could cause injury. Use fixed guards where possible and consider which materials are most appropriate.
• Safe for use and properly maintained in a safe condition. Make sure that workers can easily find start and stop buttons, and emergency stop buttons.
• Used only by people who have received adequate information, instruction and training.
• Put appropriate warning signs on or near the equipment.
• Introduce - and stick to - special working procedures for dangerous equipment. 
• Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) if you can't otherwise minimise the risks. See personal protective equipment.
• Provide employees with guidelines on how to minimise risks from heat-producing equipment. This includes ovens and welding equipment. For example, provide PPE such as masks, gloves and heat-resistant aprons. Ensure that employees know how and when to use them.

Regular exposure to high vibrations can be dangerous. Download a health risks from hand-arm vibration guide (PDF, 154K).

A maintenance schedule should be in place to ensure that you maintain your equipment regularly. You should check equipment as often as suggested by the manufacturer or more often if indicated by the risk assessment. Any daily checks should be undertaken as recommended by the manufacturer. This will help prevent problems such as blockages, leaks or breakdowns, which can increase risks.

You'll also need to maintain safety devices around the equipment such as guards, alarms, safety cages and warning signs.

The duty to maintain work equipment and take measures to manage the risks from maintenance (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) builds on the general duties of the Health and Safety at Work Act, which requires work equipment to be maintained so that it is safe, and work to be undertaken safely, so far as reasonably practicable.

If you use heat-producing equipment you should regularly check the environment around it. You must keep floors clear. There must be adequate ventilation at all times. You also need to remove all combustible materials from the area and regularly maintain and check fire detectors.

Equipment checks required by law

Some types of equipment - require examinations by law in addition to normal repair and servicing. This is known as thorough examinations by a competent person, Examples include gas appliances, lifting equipment, pressure systems and power presses. You need to keep the certificates and records of such checks, detailing the findings and any repair work.

See appoint a competent person for health and safety.

How to check equipment safely

If any equipment is to be checked or repaired, it should always be turned off and isolated so no one can start it in error.

Most equipment now comes with guidelines for maintenance. This includes advice on how to carry out equipment checks safely.

Many businesses use documented procedures for maintenance and repair work, such as a permit to work scheme. You can also use warning signs to remind workers that equipment is temporarily out of use. You could also user a lock out system. This means the person doing the maintenance work has a key that prevents the equipment starting up while they work on it.

Buying the correct equipment for the task will reduce the risks involved while carrying it out. Before you buy any work equipment, consider:

• what you will use the equipment for
• who will use it
• where you will keep it and, where and how it will be used 
• what training users may need to operate it
• what risks may occur as a result
• how well health and safety risks are controlled by different manufacturers, comparing things such as noise or vibration levels produced

Make sure the manufacturer/supplier is clear about how you intend to use the equipment. Ask the manufacturer/supplier what the residual risks and the operating limits are. This should be part of the documentation received with the equipment.

When you're buying new equipment it's worth considering:

• whether there are any dangerous parts and if so whether any guards are supplied with the equipment
• how any emergency-stop buttons work
• whether the environment in which you plan to operate the machinery is suitable for the levels of dust, fumes, noise or vibration it may cause
• whether there are clear instructions and manuals for installation and maintenance

You must make sure that equipment:

• is safe to use
• is free from any obvious defect and complete (eg guards and other safety equipment are not missing) unless it is supplied to be incorporated into another machine
• is provided with clear instructions
• carries CE marking and has a Declaration of Conformity, which shows that key health and safety standards have been met
• produces the least possible vibration in doing the work required - find information on vibration levels in the manufacturer's manual

If you have any concerns about safety, discuss them with the manufacturer or supplier before you go any further.

Download buying new machinery guidance (PDF, 110K).

Disposing of old equipment

When dealing with old equipment, you must ensure it is safely and properly handled, stored, transported and recovered or disposed of. This is your duty of care for waste. There are certain laws for disposing of hazardous or electrical waste. See duty of care for business waste.

You may also consider recycling or refurbishing the equipment. Browse reuse and recycle business waste.

Anyone who uses a hand-held tool or holds materials being worked by hand-fed machines may be at risk of injury, either accidentally, through misuse or through equipment failure.

Hand-arm vibration syndrome

Hand-arm vibration is caused by the use of hand-operated power tools. Employees who regularly use these could suffer permanent injury known as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). This can cause severe pain and permanent loss of feeling in the fingers and hands.

There are many types of equipment that can cause HAVS, including:

• chainsaws
• power hammers
• hand-held power drills
• sander
• lawnmowers
• strimmers
• road drills
• hand-fed equipment, e.g. pedestal linishers, grinders, mops

Download the guide to health risks from hand-arm vibration (PDF, 154K). To find out about vibration and repetitive strain injury (RSI), see prevent repetitive strain injury at work.

Reducing risks from hand-held tools

Apart from hand-arm vibration, there's a range of other risks for employees when using hand-held tools. For example, noise, puncture wounds and cuts caused by sharp equipment such as:

• scissors
• needles
• paper guillotines
• knives
• chisels
• saws
• planes
• screwdrivers

As far as possible, use guards and provide protective clothing, eg masks, ear defenders and gloves. Organise the use of tools during work operations and their storage when not in use.

Heat-producing equipment such as blowtorches and irons can cause burns and permanent scarring. Always provide protective clothing and regularly test equipment to make sure it's safe.

To minimise injury from employees using hand-held tools, you should:

• assess and then manage the risks involved
• make sure the tools are suitable for the task and are well-maintained
• train all employees to use and store the equipment appropriately
• plan work schedules to minimise vibration exposures and make sure exposures are below the ELV
• consider whether employees could use different equipment which poses fewer risks
• provide health surveillance when exposures are at or above the EAV and in other circumstances where there is risk, for example, after diagnosis of HAVS and exposure continues but below the EAV

Employers must ensure that all work equipment is safe and doesn't pose a hazard or risk to employee health. 

Workplace equipment in industry sectors

Many industry sectors use workplace equipment. This includes those using heavy machinery, such as:

• manufacturing
• agriculture
• construction
• forestry
• quarries

The rules also apply to all other workplaces, such as:

• offices
• shops
• hotels
• engineering businesses 
• car repair services

Employers must ensure that those using equipment have enough knowledge and training to use it safely.

Examples of workplace equipment 

The regulations cover many types of equipment, including:

• manufacturing - including welding tools, production lines, furnaces, machine tools, circular saws, power presses and lifting equipment
• building and construction - items such as hand-held power tools, ladders, hammers, drills, knives and screwdrivers
• offices - items such as computers and photocopiers
• workplace and off-road vehicles - including dumper and forklift trucks, tractors, rail and road haulage vehicles

Equipment with moving parts and some kind of drive unit is normally known as machinery. Download buying new machinery guidance (PDF, 110K).

You must ensure work equipment is safe under:

• the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)
• the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations.

In particular equipment must be:

• suitable for the job 
• maintained to keep it safe at all times
• inspected at suitable intervals if wear and tear might cause risks
• inspected before first use if the equipment's safety depends on how it was set up
• assessed for levels of noise and vibration operators and others are exposed to

There are also further duties if you buy machinery. See purchase the safest workplace equipment and machinery.

You'll need to assess the risks of using the equipment as part of your overall health and safety risk assessment. See health and safety risk assessment.

If your risk assessment highlights any potential problems, you must make sure you minimise these risks. You may need to:

• remove the risk or change the item to a safer one
• provide suitable protective guards, emergency stop buttons and warning notices
• develop new work processes or find other ways to limit regular exposure to high noise and vibration levels
• minimise risks by introducing instruction manuals, training and refresher courses
• provide suitable personal protective equipment

The rules also cover mobile work equipment such as dumper trucks and forklift vehicles.

You must make sure that you minimise risks for passengers, drivers and anyone near the vehicle. This may involve fitting seat belts, exterior lights and warning alarms that can be heard outside the vehicle. Download a guide to managing vehicle safety in the workplace (PDF, 374K).

There are many hazards involved in the use of workplace equipment. For example:

• Cutting equipment could cause trapping or amputation of limbs. 
• A forklift truck could roll over. This could cause crush injuries.
• Equipment that uses heat could cause injuries such as scalding and burns. This includes ovens, grills and welding equipment.
• Equipment that emits very bright light could cause damage to skin or eyes. This includes lasers or sources of ultraviolet light.
• Equipment that transmits vibrations into the hand or arm (HAV), or whole body (WBV) could cause long-term illness or disability. This includes grinding equipment and tractors.
• Certain equipment where people have to work in confined spaces can pose a risk of asphyxiation. For example storage tanks that could develop an unbreathable atmosphere or fill up with noxious fumes. 

Download exposure to HAV guidance (PDF, 154K).

Assess the risks

Your risk assessment needs to assess the likelihood of such hazards occurring. Look at risks which occur not just during the normal operation of the equipment but also during:

• installation
• maintenance
• repairs
• breakdowns
• servicing

Remember the law isn't just for factories, warehouses and building sites. You have responsibilities for equipment if you're running an office, shop, hotel or any business.

See health and safety risk assessment.

Everyone who uses equipment should undergo initial training before using the equipment. They should also attend regular refresher courses. You must provide them with appropriate safety equipment. You should consider whether any specific groups of users might be at risk, young people for example.

There may be additional risks due to the way in which a piece of equipment is powered or heated, such as electricity and gas. Download an electrical safety guide (PDF, 113K).

You can minimise the residual risks caused by workplace equipment by implementing measures:

• Buy the right equipment and machinery for the job and ensure it is suitable for the intended use. Having the right tools for a task reduces risks. See purchase the right equipment.
• Provide safety guards on parts of equipment which could cause injury. Use fixed guards where possible and consider which materials are most appropriate.
• Safe for use and properly maintained in a safe condition. Make sure that workers can easily find start and stop buttons, and emergency stop buttons.
• Used only by people who have received adequate information, instruction and training.
• Put appropriate warning signs on or near the equipment.
• Introduce - and stick to - special working procedures for dangerous equipment. 
• Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) if you can't otherwise minimise the risks. See personal protective equipment.
• Provide employees with guidelines on how to minimise risks from heat-producing equipment. This includes ovens and welding equipment. For example, provide PPE such as masks, gloves and heat-resistant aprons. Ensure that employees know how and when to use them.

Regular exposure to high vibrations can be dangerous. Download a health risks from hand-arm vibration guide (PDF, 154K).

A maintenance schedule should be in place to ensure that you maintain your equipment regularly. You should check equipment as often as suggested by the manufacturer or more often if indicated by the risk assessment. Any daily checks should be undertaken as recommended by the manufacturer. This will help prevent problems such as blockages, leaks or breakdowns, which can increase risks.

You'll also need to maintain safety devices around the equipment such as guards, alarms, safety cages and warning signs.

The duty to maintain work equipment and take measures to manage the risks from maintenance (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) builds on the general duties of the Health and Safety at Work Act, which requires work equipment to be maintained so that it is safe, and work to be undertaken safely, so far as reasonably practicable.

If you use heat-producing equipment you should regularly check the environment around it. You must keep floors clear. There must be adequate ventilation at all times. You also need to remove all combustible materials from the area and regularly maintain and check fire detectors.

Equipment checks required by law

Some types of equipment - require examinations by law in addition to normal repair and servicing. This is known as thorough examinations by a competent person, Examples include gas appliances, lifting equipment, pressure systems and power presses. You need to keep the certificates and records of such checks, detailing the findings and any repair work.

See appoint a competent person for health and safety.

How to check equipment safely

If any equipment is to be checked or repaired, it should always be turned off and isolated so no one can start it in error.

Most equipment now comes with guidelines for maintenance. This includes advice on how to carry out equipment checks safely.

Many businesses use documented procedures for maintenance and repair work, such as a permit to work scheme. You can also use warning signs to remind workers that equipment is temporarily out of use. You could also user a lock out system. This means the person doing the maintenance work has a key that prevents the equipment starting up while they work on it.

Buying the correct equipment for the task will reduce the risks involved while carrying it out. Before you buy any work equipment, consider:

• what you will use the equipment for
• who will use it
• where you will keep it and, where and how it will be used 
• what training users may need to operate it
• what risks may occur as a result
• how well health and safety risks are controlled by different manufacturers, comparing things such as noise or vibration levels produced

Make sure the manufacturer/supplier is clear about how you intend to use the equipment. Ask the manufacturer/supplier what the residual risks and the operating limits are. This should be part of the documentation received with the equipment.

When you're buying new equipment it's worth considering:

• whether there are any dangerous parts and if so whether any guards are supplied with the equipment
• how any emergency-stop buttons work
• whether the environment in which you plan to operate the machinery is suitable for the levels of dust, fumes, noise or vibration it may cause
• whether there are clear instructions and manuals for installation and maintenance

You must make sure that equipment:

• is safe to use
• is free from any obvious defect and complete (eg guards and other safety equipment are not missing) unless it is supplied to be incorporated into another machine
• is provided with clear instructions
• carries CE marking and has a Declaration of Conformity, which shows that key health and safety standards have been met
• produces the least possible vibration in doing the work required - find information on vibration levels in the manufacturer's manual

If you have any concerns about safety, discuss them with the manufacturer or supplier before you go any further.

Download buying new machinery guidance (PDF, 110K).

Disposing of old equipment

When dealing with old equipment, you must ensure it is safely and properly handled, stored, transported and recovered or disposed of. This is your duty of care for waste. There are certain laws for disposing of hazardous or electrical waste. See duty of care for business waste.

You may also consider recycling or refurbishing the equipment. Browse reuse and recycle business waste.

Anyone who uses a hand-held tool or holds materials being worked by hand-fed machines may be at risk of injury, either accidentally, through misuse or through equipment failure.

Hand-arm vibration syndrome

Hand-arm vibration is caused by the use of hand-operated power tools. Employees who regularly use these could suffer permanent injury known as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). This can cause severe pain and permanent loss of feeling in the fingers and hands.

There are many types of equipment that can cause HAVS, including:

• chainsaws
• power hammers
• hand-held power drills
• sander
• lawnmowers
• strimmers
• road drills
• hand-fed equipment, e.g. pedestal linishers, grinders, mops

Download the guide to health risks from hand-arm vibration (PDF, 154K). To find out about vibration and repetitive strain injury (RSI), see prevent repetitive strain injury at work.

Reducing risks from hand-held tools

Apart from hand-arm vibration, there's a range of other risks for employees when using hand-held tools. For example, noise, puncture wounds and cuts caused by sharp equipment such as:

• scissors
• needles
• paper guillotines
• knives
• chisels
• saws
• planes
• screwdrivers

As far as possible, use guards and provide protective clothing, eg masks, ear defenders and gloves. Organise the use of tools during work operations and their storage when not in use.

Heat-producing equipment such as blowtorches and irons can cause burns and permanent scarring. Always provide protective clothing and regularly test equipment to make sure it's safe.

To minimise injury from employees using hand-held tools, you should:

• assess and then manage the risks involved
• make sure the tools are suitable for the task and are well-maintained
• train all employees to use and store the equipment appropriately
• plan work schedules to minimise vibration exposures and make sure exposures are below the ELV
• consider whether employees could use different equipment which poses fewer risks
• provide health surveillance when exposures are at or above the EAV and in other circumstances where there is risk, for example, after diagnosis of HAVS and exposure continues but below the EAV

Employers must ensure that all work equipment is safe and doesn't pose a hazard or risk to employee health. 

Workplace equipment in industry sectors

Many industry sectors use workplace equipment. This includes those using heavy machinery, such as:

• manufacturing
• agriculture
• construction
• forestry
• quarries

The rules also apply to all other workplaces, such as:

• offices
• shops
• hotels
• engineering businesses 
• car repair services

Employers must ensure that those using equipment have enough knowledge and training to use it safely.

Examples of workplace equipment 

The regulations cover many types of equipment, including:

• manufacturing - including welding tools, production lines, furnaces, machine tools, circular saws, power presses and lifting equipment
• building and construction - items such as hand-held power tools, ladders, hammers, drills, knives and screwdrivers
• offices - items such as computers and photocopiers
• workplace and off-road vehicles - including dumper and forklift trucks, tractors, rail and road haulage vehicles

Equipment with moving parts and some kind of drive unit is normally known as machinery. Download buying new machinery guidance (PDF, 110K).

You must ensure work equipment is safe under:

• the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)
• the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations.

In particular equipment must be:

• suitable for the job 
• maintained to keep it safe at all times
• inspected at suitable intervals if wear and tear might cause risks
• inspected before first use if the equipment's safety depends on how it was set up
• assessed for levels of noise and vibration operators and others are exposed to

There are also further duties if you buy machinery. See purchase the safest workplace equipment and machinery.

You'll need to assess the risks of using the equipment as part of your overall health and safety risk assessment. See health and safety risk assessment.

If your risk assessment highlights any potential problems, you must make sure you minimise these risks. You may need to:

• remove the risk or change the item to a safer one
• provide suitable protective guards, emergency stop buttons and warning notices
• develop new work processes or find other ways to limit regular exposure to high noise and vibration levels
• minimise risks by introducing instruction manuals, training and refresher courses
• provide suitable personal protective equipment

The rules also cover mobile work equipment such as dumper trucks and forklift vehicles.

You must make sure that you minimise risks for passengers, drivers and anyone near the vehicle. This may involve fitting seat belts, exterior lights and warning alarms that can be heard outside the vehicle. Download a guide to managing vehicle safety in the workplace (PDF, 374K).

There are many hazards involved in the use of workplace equipment. For example:

• Cutting equipment could cause trapping or amputation of limbs. 
• A forklift truck could roll over. This could cause crush injuries.
• Equipment that uses heat could cause injuries such as scalding and burns. This includes ovens, grills and welding equipment.
• Equipment that emits very bright light could cause damage to skin or eyes. This includes lasers or sources of ultraviolet light.
• Equipment that transmits vibrations into the hand or arm (HAV), or whole body (WBV) could cause long-term illness or disability. This includes grinding equipment and tractors.
• Certain equipment where people have to work in confined spaces can pose a risk of asphyxiation. For example storage tanks that could develop an unbreathable atmosphere or fill up with noxious fumes. 

Download exposure to HAV guidance (PDF, 154K).

Assess the risks

Your risk assessment needs to assess the likelihood of such hazards occurring. Look at risks which occur not just during the normal operation of the equipment but also during:

• installation
• maintenance
• repairs
• breakdowns
• servicing

Remember the law isn't just for factories, warehouses and building sites. You have responsibilities for equipment if you're running an office, shop, hotel or any business.

See health and safety risk assessment.

Everyone who uses equipment should undergo initial training before using the equipment. They should also attend regular refresher courses. You must provide them with appropriate safety equipment. You should consider whether any specific groups of users might be at risk, young people for example.

There may be additional risks due to the way in which a piece of equipment is powered or heated, such as electricity and gas. Download an electrical safety guide (PDF, 113K).

You can minimise the residual risks caused by workplace equipment by implementing measures:

• Buy the right equipment and machinery for the job and ensure it is suitable for the intended use. Having the right tools for a task reduces risks. See purchase the right equipment.
• Provide safety guards on parts of equipment which could cause injury. Use fixed guards where possible and consider which materials are most appropriate.
• Safe for use and properly maintained in a safe condition. Make sure that workers can easily find start and stop buttons, and emergency stop buttons.
• Used only by people who have received adequate information, instruction and training.
• Put appropriate warning signs on or near the equipment.
• Introduce - and stick to - special working procedures for dangerous equipment. 
• Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) if you can't otherwise minimise the risks. See personal protective equipment.
• Provide employees with guidelines on how to minimise risks from heat-producing equipment. This includes ovens and welding equipment. For example, provide PPE such as masks, gloves and heat-resistant aprons. Ensure that employees know how and when to use them.

Regular exposure to high vibrations can be dangerous. Download a health risks from hand-arm vibration guide (PDF, 154K).

A maintenance schedule should be in place to ensure that you maintain your equipment regularly. You should check equipment as often as suggested by the manufacturer or more often if indicated by the risk assessment. Any daily checks should be undertaken as recommended by the manufacturer. This will help prevent problems such as blockages, leaks or breakdowns, which can increase risks.

You'll also need to maintain safety devices around the equipment such as guards, alarms, safety cages and warning signs.

The duty to maintain work equipment and take measures to manage the risks from maintenance (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) builds on the general duties of the Health and Safety at Work Act, which requires work equipment to be maintained so that it is safe, and work to be undertaken safely, so far as reasonably practicable.

If you use heat-producing equipment you should regularly check the environment around it. You must keep floors clear. There must be adequate ventilation at all times. You also need to remove all combustible materials from the area and regularly maintain and check fire detectors.

Equipment checks required by law

Some types of equipment - require examinations by law in addition to normal repair and servicing. This is known as thorough examinations by a competent person, Examples include gas appliances, lifting equipment, pressure systems and power presses. You need to keep the certificates and records of such checks, detailing the findings and any repair work.

See appoint a competent person for health and safety.

How to check equipment safely

If any equipment is to be checked or repaired, it should always be turned off and isolated so no one can start it in error.

Most equipment now comes with guidelines for maintenance. This includes advice on how to carry out equipment checks safely.

Many businesses use documented procedures for maintenance and repair work, such as a permit to work scheme. You can also use warning signs to remind workers that equipment is temporarily out of use. You could also user a lock out system. This means the person doing the maintenance work has a key that prevents the equipment starting up while they work on it.

Buying the correct equipment for the task will reduce the risks involved while carrying it out. Before you buy any work equipment, consider:

• what you will use the equipment for
• who will use it
• where you will keep it and, where and how it will be used 
• what training users may need to operate it
• what risks may occur as a result
• how well health and safety risks are controlled by different manufacturers, comparing things such as noise or vibration levels produced

Make sure the manufacturer/supplier is clear about how you intend to use the equipment. Ask the manufacturer/supplier what the residual risks and the operating limits are. This should be part of the documentation received with the equipment.

When you're buying new equipment it's worth considering:

• whether there are any dangerous parts and if so whether any guards are supplied with the equipment
• how any emergency-stop buttons work
• whether the environment in which you plan to operate the machinery is suitable for the levels of dust, fumes, noise or vibration it may cause
• whether there are clear instructions and manuals for installation and maintenance

You must make sure that equipment:

• is safe to use
• is free from any obvious defect and complete (eg guards and other safety equipment are not missing) unless it is supplied to be incorporated into another machine
• is provided with clear instructions
• carries CE marking and has a Declaration of Conformity, which shows that key health and safety standards have been met
• produces the least possible vibration in doing the work required - find information on vibration levels in the manufacturer's manual

If you have any concerns about safety, discuss them with the manufacturer or supplier before you go any further.

Download buying new machinery guidance (PDF, 110K).

Disposing of old equipment

When dealing with old equipment, you must ensure it is safely and properly handled, stored, transported and recovered or disposed of. This is your duty of care for waste. There are certain laws for disposing of hazardous or electrical waste. See duty of care for business waste.

You may also consider recycling or refurbishing the equipment. Browse reuse and recycle business waste.

Anyone who uses a hand-held tool or holds materials being worked by hand-fed machines may be at risk of injury, either accidentally, through misuse or through equipment failure.

Hand-arm vibration syndrome

Hand-arm vibration is caused by the use of hand-operated power tools. Employees who regularly use these could suffer permanent injury known as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). This can cause severe pain and permanent loss of feeling in the fingers and hands.

There are many types of equipment that can cause HAVS, including:

• chainsaws
• power hammers
• hand-held power drills
• sander
• lawnmowers
• strimmers
• road drills
• hand-fed equipment, e.g. pedestal linishers, grinders, mops

Download the guide to health risks from hand-arm vibration (PDF, 154K). To find out about vibration and repetitive strain injury (RSI), see prevent repetitive strain injury at work.

Reducing risks from hand-held tools

Apart from hand-arm vibration, there's a range of other risks for employees when using hand-held tools. For example, noise, puncture wounds and cuts caused by sharp equipment such as:

• scissors
• needles
• paper guillotines
• knives
• chisels
• saws
• planes
• screwdrivers

As far as possible, use guards and provide protective clothing, eg masks, ear defenders and gloves. Organise the use of tools during work operations and their storage when not in use.

Heat-producing equipment such as blowtorches and irons can cause burns and permanent scarring. Always provide protective clothing and regularly test equipment to make sure it's safe.

To minimise injury from employees using hand-held tools, you should:

• assess and then manage the risks involved
• make sure the tools are suitable for the task and are well-maintained
• train all employees to use and store the equipment appropriately
• plan work schedules to minimise vibration exposures and make sure exposures are below the ELV
• consider whether employees could use different equipment which poses fewer risks
• provide health surveillance when exposures are at or above the EAV and in other circumstances where there is risk, for example, after diagnosis of HAVS and exposure continues but below the EAV

Employers must ensure that all work equipment is safe and doesn't pose a hazard or risk to employee health. 

Workplace equipment in industry sectors

Many industry sectors use workplace equipment. This includes those using heavy machinery, such as:

• manufacturing
• agriculture
• construction
• forestry
• quarries

The rules also apply to all other workplaces, such as:

• offices
• shops
• hotels
• engineering businesses 
• car repair services

Employers must ensure that those using equipment have enough knowledge and training to use it safely.

Examples of workplace equipment 

The regulations cover many types of equipment, including:

• manufacturing - including welding tools, production lines, furnaces, machine tools, circular saws, power presses and lifting equipment
• building and construction - items such as hand-held power tools, ladders, hammers, drills, knives and screwdrivers
• offices - items such as computers and photocopiers
• workplace and off-road vehicles - including dumper and forklift trucks, tractors, rail and road haulage vehicles

Equipment with moving parts and some kind of drive unit is normally known as machinery. Download buying new machinery guidance (PDF, 110K).

You must ensure work equipment is safe under:

• the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)
• the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations.

In particular equipment must be:

• suitable for the job 
• maintained to keep it safe at all times
• inspected at suitable intervals if wear and tear might cause risks
• inspected before first use if the equipment's safety depends on how it was set up
• assessed for levels of noise and vibration operators and others are exposed to

There are also further duties if you buy machinery. See purchase the safest workplace equipment and machinery.

You'll need to assess the risks of using the equipment as part of your overall health and safety risk assessment. See health and safety risk assessment.

If your risk assessment highlights any potential problems, you must make sure you minimise these risks. You may need to:

• remove the risk or change the item to a safer one
• provide suitable protective guards, emergency stop buttons and warning notices
• develop new work processes or find other ways to limit regular exposure to high noise and vibration levels
• minimise risks by introducing instruction manuals, training and refresher courses
• provide suitable personal protective equipment

The rules also cover mobile work equipment such as dumper trucks and forklift vehicles.

You must make sure that you minimise risks for passengers, drivers and anyone near the vehicle. This may involve fitting seat belts, exterior lights and warning alarms that can be heard outside the vehicle. Download a guide to managing vehicle safety in the workplace (PDF, 374K).

There are many hazards involved in the use of workplace equipment. For example:

• Cutting equipment could cause trapping or amputation of limbs. 
• A forklift truck could roll over. This could cause crush injuries.
• Equipment that uses heat could cause injuries such as scalding and burns. This includes ovens, grills and welding equipment.
• Equipment that emits very bright light could cause damage to skin or eyes. This includes lasers or sources of ultraviolet light.
• Equipment that transmits vibrations into the hand or arm (HAV), or whole body (WBV) could cause long-term illness or disability. This includes grinding equipment and tractors.
• Certain equipment where people have to work in confined spaces can pose a risk of asphyxiation. For example storage tanks that could develop an unbreathable atmosphere or fill up with noxious fumes. 

Download exposure to HAV guidance (PDF, 154K).

Assess the risks

Your risk assessment needs to assess the likelihood of such hazards occurring. Look at risks which occur not just during the normal operation of the equipment but also during:

• installation
• maintenance
• repairs
• breakdowns
• servicing

Remember the law isn't just for factories, warehouses and building sites. You have responsibilities for equipment if you're running an office, shop, hotel or any business.

See health and safety risk assessment.

Everyone who uses equipment should undergo initial training before using the equipment. They should also attend regular refresher courses. You must provide them with appropriate safety equipment. You should consider whether any specific groups of users might be at risk, young people for example.

There may be additional risks due to the way in which a piece of equipment is powered or heated, such as electricity and gas. Download an electrical safety guide (PDF, 113K).

You can minimise the residual risks caused by workplace equipment by implementing measures:

• Buy the right equipment and machinery for the job and ensure it is suitable for the intended use. Having the right tools for a task reduces risks. See purchase the right equipment.
• Provide safety guards on parts of equipment which could cause injury. Use fixed guards where possible and consider which materials are most appropriate.
• Safe for use and properly maintained in a safe condition. Make sure that workers can easily find start and stop buttons, and emergency stop buttons.
• Used only by people who have received adequate information, instruction and training.
• Put appropriate warning signs on or near the equipment.
• Introduce - and stick to - special working procedures for dangerous equipment. 
• Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) if you can't otherwise minimise the risks. See personal protective equipment.
• Provide employees with guidelines on how to minimise risks from heat-producing equipment. This includes ovens and welding equipment. For example, provide PPE such as masks, gloves and heat-resistant aprons. Ensure that employees know how and when to use them.

Regular exposure to high vibrations can be dangerous. Download a health risks from hand-arm vibration guide (PDF, 154K).

A maintenance schedule should be in place to ensure that you maintain your equipment regularly. You should check equipment as often as suggested by the manufacturer or more often if indicated by the risk assessment. Any daily checks should be undertaken as recommended by the manufacturer. This will help prevent problems such as blockages, leaks or breakdowns, which can increase risks.

You'll also need to maintain safety devices around the equipment such as guards, alarms, safety cages and warning signs.

The duty to maintain work equipment and take measures to manage the risks from maintenance (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) builds on the general duties of the Health and Safety at Work Act, which requires work equipment to be maintained so that it is safe, and work to be undertaken safely, so far as reasonably practicable.

If you use heat-producing equipment you should regularly check the environment around it. You must keep floors clear. There must be adequate ventilation at all times. You also need to remove all combustible materials from the area and regularly maintain and check fire detectors.

Equipment checks required by law

Some types of equipment - require examinations by law in addition to normal repair and servicing. This is known as thorough examinations by a competent person, Examples include gas appliances, lifting equipment, pressure systems and power presses. You need to keep the certificates and records of such checks, detailing the findings and any repair work.

See appoint a competent person for health and safety.

How to check equipment safely

If any equipment is to be checked or repaired, it should always be turned off and isolated so no one can start it in error.

Most equipment now comes with guidelines for maintenance. This includes advice on how to carry out equipment checks safely.

Many businesses use documented procedures for maintenance and repair work, such as a permit to work scheme. You can also use warning signs to remind workers that equipment is temporarily out of use. You could also user a lock out system. This means the person doing the maintenance work has a key that prevents the equipment starting up while they work on it.

Buying the correct equipment for the task will reduce the risks involved while carrying it out. Before you buy any work equipment, consider:

• what you will use the equipment for
• who will use it
• where you will keep it and, where and how it will be used 
• what training users may need to operate it
• what risks may occur as a result
• how well health and safety risks are controlled by different manufacturers, comparing things such as noise or vibration levels produced

Make sure the manufacturer/supplier is clear about how you intend to use the equipment. Ask the manufacturer/supplier what the residual risks and the operating limits are. This should be part of the documentation received with the equipment.

When you're buying new equipment it's worth considering:

• whether there are any dangerous parts and if so whether any guards are supplied with the equipment
• how any emergency-stop buttons work
• whether the environment in which you plan to operate the machinery is suitable for the levels of dust, fumes, noise or vibration it may cause
• whether there are clear instructions and manuals for installation and maintenance

You must make sure that equipment:

• is safe to use
• is free from any obvious defect and complete (eg guards and other safety equipment are not missing) unless it is supplied to be incorporated into another machine
• is provided with clear instructions
• carries CE marking and has a Declaration of Conformity, which shows that key health and safety standards have been met
• produces the least possible vibration in doing the work required - find information on vibration levels in the manufacturer's manual

If you have any concerns about safety, discuss them with the manufacturer or supplier before you go any further.

Download buying new machinery guidance (PDF, 110K).

Disposing of old equipment

When dealing with old equipment, you must ensure it is safely and properly handled, stored, transported and recovered or disposed of. This is your duty of care for waste. There are certain laws for disposing of hazardous or electrical waste. See duty of care for business waste.

You may also consider recycling or refurbishing the equipment. Browse reuse and recycle business waste.

Anyone who uses a hand-held tool or holds materials being worked by hand-fed machines may be at risk of injury, either accidentally, through misuse or through equipment failure.

Hand-arm vibration syndrome

Hand-arm vibration is caused by the use of hand-operated power tools. Employees who regularly use these could suffer permanent injury known as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). This can cause severe pain and permanent loss of feeling in the fingers and hands.

There are many types of equipment that can cause HAVS, including:

• chainsaws
• power hammers
• hand-held power drills
• sander
• lawnmowers
• strimmers
• road drills
• hand-fed equipment, e.g. pedestal linishers, grinders, mops

Download the guide to health risks from hand-arm vibration (PDF, 154K). To find out about vibration and repetitive strain injury (RSI), see prevent repetitive strain injury at work.

Reducing risks from hand-held tools

Apart from hand-arm vibration, there's a range of other risks for employees when using hand-held tools. For example, noise, puncture wounds and cuts caused by sharp equipment such as:

• scissors
• needles
• paper guillotines
• knives
• chisels
• saws
• planes
• screwdrivers

As far as possible, use guards and provide protective clothing, eg masks, ear defenders and gloves. Organise the use of tools during work operations and their storage when not in use.

Heat-producing equipment such as blowtorches and irons can cause burns and permanent scarring. Always provide protective clothing and regularly test equipment to make sure it's safe.

To minimise injury from employees using hand-held tools, you should:

• assess and then manage the risks involved
• make sure the tools are suitable for the task and are well-maintained
• train all employees to use and store the equipment appropriately
• plan work schedules to minimise vibration exposures and make sure exposures are below the ELV
• consider whether employees could use different equipment which poses fewer risks
• provide health surveillance when exposures are at or above the EAV and in other circumstances where there is risk, for example, after diagnosis of HAVS and exposure continues but below the EAV