New 'Use of Work Equipment' guidance issued

The guidance to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 has been revised.

The revision is an update to reflect the latest legislation and the most recent publications, and obsolete information has been removed. However, the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) itself and the main substance of the guidance remains unchanged.

This guidance is for anyone with responsibility directly or indirectly for work equipment, which includes all kinds of machinery, and its use, for example employers, employees, the self-employed and those who hire work equipment.

PUWER 98 applies to the provision of all work equipment, including mobile and lifting equipment. It applies to all workplaces and work situations where the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSW Act) applies.

Copies of the revised version are available from HSE Books.

EEF's summary of the law is available free to members to download (see opposite) and is contained within the HSE Guide.