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PUWER inspections, in the same system as your LOLER work
Record every PUWER inspection on a phone, keep the result Regulation 6 requires, and see what is due next across every site. No second system, no extra charge.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) require work equipment to be inspected where safety depends on how it is installed, or where wear could make it dangerous, and the result must be recorded and kept until the next inspection. LolerFlow records PUWER inspections alongside LOLER thorough examinations, with due dates, defects and reports for every item.
Last updated October 2026 · Written by the LolerFlow Editorial Team · Facts checked against HSE and legislation.gov.uk
What does PUWER require?
PUWER applies to almost all equipment used at work. Four duties matter most for inspections:
| Regulation | What it says |
|---|---|
| Regulation 4: Suitability | Equipment must be suitable for the work and the conditions it is used in |
| Regulation 5: Maintenance | Equipment must be kept in efficient working order and good repair |
| Regulation 6: Inspection | Inspect after installation, after it is moved to a new site, at suitable intervals where it can deteriorate, and after anything that could affect its safety. Record the result and keep it until the next inspection |
| Part IV: Power presses | A thorough examination at least every 12 months if the press has only fixed guards, every 6 months otherwise, and guards inspected and tested within the first 4 hours of each working period |
- The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/2306), legislation.gov.uk
- HSE L22: Safe use of work equipment, Approved Code of Practice, fourth edition
Equipment commonly inspected under PUWER
Anything that lifts, such as a crane, forklift, MEWP, telehandler, hoist or tail lift, is under LOLER as well. Workshop machinery, presses, conveyors, racking and dock levellers are PUWER only.
One register for LOLER and PUWER
What changes when PUWER joins your LOLER work
PUWER inspection questions
Which equipment needs a PUWER inspection?
Any work equipment where safety depends on how it is installed, or where wear and damage could make it dangerous. Typical examples are workshop machinery, presses and guillotines, plant and construction equipment, vehicle lifts, conveyors, compactors and balers, agricultural machinery and power tools.
How often do PUWER inspections need to be done?
PUWER does not set fixed intervals for most equipment. The employer sets them based on risk, the manufacturer's instructions and how hard the equipment is used, often every 6 or 12 months. Power presses are the exception, with fixed intervals set by PUWER Part IV.
Do I have to keep a record of PUWER inspections?
Yes. PUWER Regulation 6 says the result of every inspection must be recorded and kept at least until the next inspection is recorded.
What is the difference between PUWER and LOLER?
PUWER covers all work equipment: suitability, maintenance, inspection and training. LOLER adds extra duties for lifting equipment, including thorough examinations at set intervals. Lifting equipment is covered by both.
Does PUWER cost extra in LolerFlow?
No. PUWER inspections are included in the standard plan, alongside LOLER and MEWP examinations, at one flat monthly rate.
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