About PUWER Assessments
When selecting work equipment, employers are required to consider the suitability of the equipment and working conditions it will be used in, as part of a risk assessment. You need to identify what risks exist in the premises in which the equipment is to be used, and what additional risks are posed by the use of the equipment. Further to this you need to have considered:
- maintenance and inspection requirements;
- competence and training of employees;
- controls and emergency stops;
- isolation from energy sources;
- preventing contact with dangerous parts of machinery:
- noise and vibration hazards.
Lifting equipment covered by the LOLER regulations for examination and testing is still work equipment and must be assessed for suitability and the way the equipment performs through a PUWER assessment.
Results you should expect
All companies will use some type of work equipment whether a large piece of manufacturing machinery or a hand held tool or a simple office printer , you need to have the confidence that your staff have access to the equipment that is fit for purpose, is properly maintained, that staff are trained to use it and that adequate controls are in place to prevent harm occurring.
Working with MESH you can be fully assured that the PUWER assessments produced will identify the necessary protective controls to prevent harm to staff and others while ensuring full compliance with the PUWER regulations.
MESH Consultants have used our extensive experience in PUWER risk assessments to ensure peace of mind for clients in a wide range of industries throughout the UK.
Featured Case Study
Client: M- real paper
Sector: Manufacturing
Thanks for the report, it was really useful and we have carried out almost all of the recommendations already.
Alan Young
General Manager
MESH was asked by M-real to undertake an independent risk assessment on a large semi-automated paper sheeting machine at its paper mill in Sittingbourne, Kent. The assessment involved reviewing the safety implications of staff working on this machine and the effectiveness of the extensive guarding systems in place. MESH reviewed the compliance of the guarding to the requirements of PUWER and provided feedback to management on where a number of improvements could be implemented.
Your Options
MESH can offer a range of PUWER risk assessment options to organisations throughout the UK:
1. We undertake a full PUWER survey and produce the relevant PUWER compliant risk assessments to cover your operations.
2. We undertake a full PUWER survey and identify what PUWER risk assessments you would need to produce and we supply the assessment format.
3. We can train persons within your organisation to undertake PUWER risk assessments.
What we provide is legislative PUWER compliance, which, when adhered to, will keep the HSE from your door.
Costs
Costs of PUWER risk assessments vary depending on the type and size of organisations, the complexity and amount of work equipment to be assessed, and the type of PUWER assistance you require.
As a guideline, fees for work recently undertaken have ranged from as little as £675 to £6,700 to develop the required level of compliance for individual organisations needs.
Our fees may not be the cheapest, and we would expect you to shop around for quotations, but you can be assured that our consultants are highly qualified and experienced and will ensure your compliance with the PUWER regulations.
Where we work
MESH carry out PUWER Risk Assessments for companies in a diverse range of industries throughout the UK.
Our Head Office is in Kent, with regional offices located in London, The Home Counties, The Midlands, and The North East.
