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S TAT U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S

1998 No. 2306

HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

Made - - - - 15th September 1998

Laid before Parliament 25th September 1998
Coming into force - - 5th December 1998

The Secretary of State, in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by sections 15(1), (2), (3)(a),
(5) and (6)(a), 49 and 82(3)(a) of, and paragraphs 1(1), (2) and (3), 9, 14, 15(1) and 16 of Schedule 3
to, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974(1) (“the 1974 Act”) and of all other powers enabling
him in that behalf and for the purpose of giving effect without modifications to proposals submitted to
him by the Health and Safety Commission under section 11(2)(d) of the 1974 Act, after the carrying
out by the said Commission of consultations in accordance with section 50(3) of that Act, hereby
makes the following Regulations:

PART I
INTRODUCTION

Citation and commencement

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations
1998 and shall come into force on 5th December 1998.

Interpretation
2. (1) In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—
“the 1974 Act” means the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974;
“employer” except in regulation 3(2) and (3) includes a person to whom the requirements
imposed by these Regulations apply by virtue of regulation 3(3)(a) and (b);
“essential requirements” means requirements described in regulation 10(1);

(1) 1974 c. 37. Sections 15 and 50 were amended by the Employment Protection Act 1975 (c. 71) Schedule 15, paragraphs 6
and 16 respectively. The general purposes of Part I of the 1974 Act were extended by section 1(1) of the Offshore Safety Act
1992 (c. 15). Section 51A was inserted by section 1, and sections 52 and 53 were amended by sections 2 and 6 respectively,
of the Police (Health and Safety) Act 1997 (c. 42).
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“the Executive” means the Health and Safety Executive;

“inspection” in relation to an inspection under paragraph (1) or (2) of regulation 6—
(a) means such visual or more rigorous inspection by a competent person as is appropriate
for the purpose described in the paragraph;
(b) where it is appropriate to carry out testing for the purpose, includes testing the nature
and extent of which are appropriate for the purpose;
“power press” means a press or press brake for the working of metal by means of tools, or for
die proving, which is power driven and which embodies a flywheel and clutch;
“thorough examination” in relation to a thorough examination under paragraph (1), (2), (3) or
(4) of regulation 32—
(a) means a thorough examination by a competent person;
(b) includes testing the nature and extent of which are appropriate for the purpose described
in the paragraph;
“use” in relation to work equipment means any activity involving work equipment and includes
starting, stopping, programming, setting, transporting, repairing, modifying, maintain ing,
servicing and cleaning;
“work equipment” means any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for use at
work (whether exclusively or not);
and related expressions shall be construed accordingly.
(2) Any reference in regulations 32 to 34 or Schedule 3 to a guard or protection device is a
reference to a guard or protection device provided for the tools of a power press.
(3) Any reference in regulation 32 or 33 to a guard or protection device being on a power press
shall, in the case of a guard or protection device designed to operate while adjacent to a power press,
be construed as a reference to its being adjacent to it.
(4) Any reference in these Regulations to—
(a) a numbered regulation or Schedule is a reference to the regulation or Schedule in these
Regulations so numbered; and
(b) a numbered paragraph is a reference to the paragraph so numbered in the regulation in
which the reference appears.

Application
3. (1) These Regulations shall apply—
(a) in Great Britain; and
(b) outside Great Britain as sections 1 to 59 and 80 to 82 of the 1974 Act apply by virtue of
the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) Order
1995(2) (“the 1995 Order”).
(2) The requirements imposed by these Regulations on an employer in respect of work equipment
shall apply to such equipment provided for use or used by an employee of his at work.
(3) The requirements imposed by these Regulations on an employer shall also apply—
(a) to a self-employed person, in respect of work equipment he uses at work;
(b) subject to paragraph (5), to a person who has control to any extent of—
(i) work equipment;

(2) S.I. 1995/263.

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(ii) a person at work who uses or supervises or manages the use of work equipment; or
(iii) the way in which work equipment is used at work,
and to the extent of his control.
(4) Any reference in paragraph (3)(b) to a person having control is a reference to a person having
control in connection with the carrying on by him of a trade, business or other undertaking (whether
for profit or not).
(5) The requirements imposed by these Regulations shall not apply to a person in respect of work
equipment supplied by him by way of sale, agreement for sale or hire-purchase agreement.
(6) Subject to paragraphs (7) to (10), these Regulations shall not impose any obligation in relation
to a ship’s work equipment (whether that equipment is used on or off the ship).
(7) Where merchant shipping requirements are applicable to a ship’s work equipment,
paragraph (6) shall relieve the shore employer of his obligations under these Regulations in respect
of that equipment only where he has taken all reasonable steps to satisfy himself that the merchant
shipping requirements are being complied with in respect of that equipment.
(8) In a case where the merchant shipping requirements are not applicable to the ship’s work
equipment by reason only that for the time being there is no master, crew or watchman on the ship,
those requirements shall nevertheless be treated for the purpose of paragraph (7) as if they were
applicable.
(9) Where the ship’s work equipment is used in a specified operation paragraph (6) shall not
apply to regulations 7 to 9, 11 to 13, 20 to 22 and 30 (each as applied by regulation 3).
(10) Paragraph (6) does not apply to a ship’s work equipment provided for use or used in an
activity (whether carried on in or outside Great Britain) specified in the 1995 Order save that it does
apply to—
(a) the loading, unloading, fuelling or provisioning of the ship; or
(b) the construction, reconstruction, finishing, refitting, repair, maintenance, cleaning or
breaking up of the ship.
(11) In this regulation—
“master” has the meaning assigned to it by section 313(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act
1995(3);
“merchant shipping requirements” means the requirements of regulations 3 and 4 of the
Merchant Shipping (Guarding of Machinery and Safety of Electrical Equipment) Regulations
1988(4) and regulations 5 to 10 of the Merchant Shipping (Hatches and Lifting Plant)
Regulations 1988(5);
“ship” has the meaning assigned to it by section 313(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995
save that it does not include an offshore installation;
“shore employer” means an employer of persons (other than the master and crew of any ship)
who are engaged in a specified operation;
“specified operation” means an operation in which the ship’s work equipment is used—
(a) by persons other than the master and crew; or
(b) where persons other than the master and crew are liable to be exposed to a risk to their
health or safety from its use.

(3) 1995 c. 21.

(4) S.I. 1988/1636, amended by S.I. 1988/2274.
(5) S.I. 1988/1639, amended by S.I. 1988/2274.
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PART II
GENERAL

Suitability of work equipment

4. (1) Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adapted as to be
suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided.
(2) In selecting work equipment, every employer shall have regard to the working conditions and
to the risks to the health and safety of persons which exist in the premises or undertaking in which
that work equipment is to be used and any additional risk posed by the use of that work equipment.
(3) Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is used only for operations for which, and
under conditions for which, it is suitable.
(4) In this regulation “suitable” means suitable in any respect which it is reasonably foreseeable
will affect the health or safety of any person.

Maintenance
5. (1) Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in
efficient working order and in good repair.
(2) Every employer shall ensure that where any machinery has a maintenance log, the log is kept
up to date.

Inspection
6. (1) Every employer shall ensure that, where the safety of work equipment depends on the
installation conditions, it is inspected—
(a) after installation and before being put into service for the first time; or
(b) after assembly at a new site or in a new location,
to ensure that it has been installed correctly and is safe to operate.
(2) Every employer shall ensure that work equipment exposed to conditions causing deterioration
which is liable to result in dangerous situations is inspected—
(a) at suitable intervals; and
(b) each time that exceptional circumstances which are liable to jeopardise the safety of the
work equipment have occurred,
to ensure that health and safety conditions are maintained and that any deterioration can be detected
and remedied in good time.
(3) Every employer shall ensure that the result of an inspection made under this regulation is
recorded and kept until the next inspection under this regulation is recorded.
(4) Every employer shall ensure that no work equipment—
(a) leaves his undertaking; or
(b) if obtained from the undertaking of another person, is used in his undertaking,
unless it is accompanied by physical evidence that the last inspection required to be carried out under
this regulation has been carried out.
(5) This regulation does not apply to—
(a) a power press to which regulations 32 to 35 apply;
(b) a guard or protection device for the tools of such power press;
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(c) work equipment for lifting loads including persons;

(d) winding apparatus to which the Mines (Shafts and Winding) Regulations 1993(6) apply;
(e) work equipment required to be inspected by regulation 29 of the Construction (Health,
Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996(7).

Specific risks
7. (1) Where the use of work equipment is likely to involve a specific risk to health or safety,
every employer shall ensure that—
(a) the use of that work equipment is restricted to those persons given the task of using it; and
(b) repairs, modifications, maintenance or servicing of that work equipment is restricted
to those persons who have been specifically designated to perform operations of that
description (whether or not also authorised to perform other operations).
(2) The employer shall ensure that the persons designated for the purposes of sub-paragraph (b)
of paragraph (1) have received adequate training related to any operations in respect of which they
have been so designated.

Information and instructions

8. (1) Every employer shall ensure that all persons who use work equipment have available to
them adequate health and safety information and, where appropriate, written instructions pertaining
to the use of the work equipment.
(2) Every employer shall ensure that any of his employees who supervises or manages the use of
work equipment has available to him adequate health and safety information and, where appropriate,
written instructions pertaining to the use of the work equipment.
(3) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (1) or (2), the information and instructions
required by either of those paragraphs shall include information and, where appropriate, written
instructions on—
(a) the conditions in which and the methods by which the work equipment may be used;
(b) foreseeable abnormal situations and the action to be taken if such a situation were to occur;
and
(c) any conclusions to be drawn from experience in using the work equipment.
(4) Information and instructions required by this regulation shall be readily comprehensible to
those concerned.

Training
9. (1) Every employer shall ensure that all persons who use work equipment have received
adequate training for purposes of health and safety, including training in the methods which may
be adopted when using the work equipment, any risks which such use may entail and precautions
to be taken.
(2) Every employer shall ensure that any of his employees who supervises or manages the use of
work equipment has received adequate training for purposes of health and safety, including training
in the methods which may be adopted when using the work equipment, any risks which such use
may entail and precautions to be taken.

(6) S.I. 1993/302.

(7) S.I. 1996/1592.
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Conformity with Community requirements

10. (1) Every employer shall ensure that an item of work equipment has been designed and
constructed in compliance with any essential requirements, that is to say requirements relating to its
design or construction in any of the instruments listed in Schedule 1 (being instruments which give
effect to Community directives concerning the safety of products).
(2) Where an essential requirement applied to the design or construction of an item of work
equipment, the requirements of regulations 11 to 19 and 22 to 29 shall apply in respect of that item
only to the extent that the essential requirement did not apply to it.
(3) This regulation applies to items of work equipment provided for use in the premises or
undertaking of the employer for the first time after 31st December 1992.

Dangerous parts of machinery

11. (1) Every employer shall ensure that measures are taken in accordance with paragraph (2)
which are effective—
(a) to prevent access to any dangerous part of machinery or to any rotating stock-bar; or
(b) to stop the movement of any dangerous part of machinery or rotating stock-bar before any
part of a person enters a danger zone.
(2) The measures required by paragraph (1) shall consist of—
(a) the provision of fixed guards enclosing every dangerous part or rotating stock-bar where
and to the extent that it is practicable to do so, but where or to the extent that it is not, then
(b) the provision of other guards or protection devices where and to the extent that it is
practicable to do so, but where or to the extent that it is not, then
(c) the provision of jigs, holders, push-sticks or similar protection appliances used in
conjunction with the machinery where and to the extent that it is practicable to do so, but
where or to the extent that it is not, then
(d) the provision of information, instruction, training and supervision.
(3) All guards and protection devices provided under sub-paragraphs (a) or (b) of paragraph (2)
shall—
(a) be suitable for the purpose for which they are provided;
(b) be of good construction, sound material and adequate strength;
(c) be maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair;
(d) not give rise to any increased risk to health or safety;
(e) not be easily bypassed or disabled;
(f) be situated at sufficient distance from the danger zone;
(g) not unduly restrict the view of the operating cycle of the machinery, where such a view
is necessary;
(h) be so constructed or adapted that they allow operations necessary to fit or replace parts
and for maintenance work, restricting access so that it is allowed only to the area where
the work is to be carried out and, if possible, without having to dismantle the guard or
protection device.
(4) All protection appliances provided under sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph (2) shall comply
with sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) and (g) of paragraph (3).
(5) In this regulation—

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“danger zone” means any zone in or around machinery in which a person is exposed to a risk
to health or safety from contact with a dangerous part of machinery or a rotating stock-bar;
“stock-bar” means any part of a stock-bar which projects beyond the head-stock of a lathe.

Protection against specified hazards

12. (1) Every employer shall take measures to ensure that the exposure of a person using work
equipment to any risk to his health or safety from any hazard specified in paragraph (3) is either
prevented, or, where that is not reasonably practicable, adequately controlled.
(2) The measures required by paragraph (1) shall—
(a) be measures other than the provision of personal protective equipment or of information,
instruction, training and supervision, so far as is reasonably practicable; and
(b) include, where appropriate, measures to minimise the effects of the hazard as well as to
reduce the likelihood of the hazard occurring.
(3) The hazards referred to in paragraph (1) are—
(a) any article or substance falling or being ejected from work equipment;
(b) rupture or disintegration of parts of work equipment;
(c) work equipment catching fire or overheating;
(d) the unintended or premature discharge of any article or of any gas, dust, liquid, vapour or
other substance which, in each case, is produced, used or stored in the work equipment;
(e) the unintended or premature explosion of the work equipment or any article or substance
produced, used or stored in it.
(4) For the purposes of this regulation “adequately” means adequately having regard only to the
nature of the hazard and the nature and degree of exposure to the risk.
(5) This regulation shall not apply where any of the following Regulations apply in respect of
any risk to a person’s health or safety for which such Regulations require measures to be taken to
prevent or control such risk, namely—
(a) the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985(8);
(b) the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987(9);
(c) the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994(10);
(d) the Noise at Work Regulations 1989(11);
(e) the Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989(12);
(f) the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 1998(13).

High or very low temperature

13. Every employer shall ensure that work equipment, parts of work equipment and any article
or substance produced, used or stored in work equipment which, in each case, is at a high or very
low temperature shall have protection where appropriate so as to prevent injury to any person by
burn, scald or sear.

(8) S.I. 1985/1333, amended by S.I. 1992/743, 1992/2966.

(9) S.I. 1987/2115, amended by S.I. 1988/712, 1992/2966, 1992/3068.
(10) S.I. 1994/3246, amended by S.I. 1994/3247, 1996/2001.
(11) S.I. 1989/1790, amended by S.I. 1992/2966, 1997/1993.
(12) S.I. 1989/2209, amended by S.I. 1992/2966.
(13) S.I. 1998/543.
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Controls for starting or making a significant change in operating conditions

14. (1) Every employer shall ensure that, where appropriate, work equipment is provided with
one or more controls for the purposes of—
(a) starting the work equipment (including re-starting after a stoppage for any reason); or
(b) controlling any change in the speed, pressure or other operating conditions of the work
equipment where such conditions after the change result in risk to health and safety which
is greater than or of a different nature from such risks before the change.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), every employer shall ensure that, where a control is required by
paragraph (1), it shall not be possible to perform any operation mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) or
(b) of that paragraph except by a deliberate action on such control.
(3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to re-starting or changing operating conditions as a result of the
normal operating cycle of an automatic device.

Stop controls
15. (1) Every employer shall ensure that, where appropriate, work equipment is provided with
one or more readily accessible controls the operation of which will bring the work equipment to a
safe condition in a safe manner.
(2) Any control required by paragraph (1) shall bring the work equipment to a complete stop
where necessary for reasons of health and safety.
(3) Any control required by paragraph (1) shall, if necessary for reasons of health and safety,
switch off all sources of energy after stopping the functioning of the work equipment.
(4) Any control required by paragraph (1) shall operate in priority to any control which starts or
changes the operating conditions of the work equipment.

Emergency stop controls

16. (1) Every employer shall ensure that, where appropriate, work equipment is provided with
one or more readily accessible emergency stop controls unless it is not necessary by reason of the
nature of the hazards and the time taken for the work equipment to come to a complete stop as a
result of the action of any control provided by virtue of regulation 15(1).
(2) Any control required by paragraph (1) shall operate in priority to any control required by
regulation 15(1).

Controls
17. (1) Every employer shall ensure that all controls for work equipment are clearly visible and
identifiable, including by appropriate marking where necessary.
(2) Except where necessary, the employer shall ensure that no control for work equipment is in
a position where any person operating the control is exposed to a risk to his health or safety.
(3) Every employer shall ensure where appropriate—
(a) that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the operator of any control is able to ensure from
the position of that control that no person is in a place where he would be exposed to any
risk to his health or safety as a result of the operation of that control, but where or to the
extent that it is not reasonably practicable;
(b) that, so far as is reasonably practicable, systems of work are effective to ensure that, when
work equipment is about to start, no person is in a place where he would be exposed to
a risk to his health or safety as a result of the work equipment starting, but where neither
of these is reasonably practicable;
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(c) that an audible, visible or other suitable warning is given by virtue of regulation 24
whenever work equipment is about to start.
(4) Every employer shall take appropriate measures to ensure that any person who is in a place
where he would be exposed to a risk to his health or safety as a result of the starting or stopping of
work equipment has sufficient time and suitable means to avoid that risk.

Control systems
18. (1) Every employer shall—
(a) ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that all control systems of work equipment are
safe; and
(b) are chosen making due allowance for the failures, faults and constraints to be expected in
the planned circumstances of use.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), a control system shall not be safe unless
—
(a) its operation does not create any increased risk to health or safety;
(b) it ensures, so far as is reasonably practicable, that any fault in or damage to any part of the
control system or the loss of supply of any source of energy used by the work equipment
cannot result in additional or increased risk to health or safety;
(c) it does not impede the operation of any control required by regulation 15 or 16.

Isolation from sources of energy

19. (1) Every employer shall ensure that where appropriate work equipment is provided with
suitable means to isolate it from all its sources of energy.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), the means mentioned in that paragraph
shall not be suitable unless they are clearly identifiable and readily accessible.
(3) Every employer shall take appropriate measures to ensure that re-connection of any energy
source to work equipment does not expose any person using the work equipment to any risk to his
health or safety.

Stability
20. Every employer shall ensure that work equipment or any part of work equipment is stabilised
by clamping or otherwise where necessary for purposes of health or safety.

Lighting
21. Every employer shall ensure that suitable and sufficient lighting, which takes account of the
operations to be carried out, is provided at any place where a person uses work equipment.

Maintenance operations
22. Every employer shall take appropriate measures to ensure that work equipment is so
constructed or adapted that, so far as is reasonably practicable, maintenance operations which
involve a risk to health or safety can be carried out while the work equipment is shut down, or in
other cases—
(a) maintenance operations can be carried out without exposing the person carrying them out
to a risk to his health or safety; or

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(b) appropriate measures can be taken for the protection of any person carrying out
maintenance operations which involve a risk to his health or safety.

Markings
23. Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is marked in a clearly visible manner with
any marking appropriate for reasons of health and safety.

Warnings
24. (1) Every employer shall ensure that work equipment incorporates any warnings or warning
devices which are appropriate for reasons of health and safety.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), warnings given by warning devices on
work equipment shall not be appropriate unless they are unambiguous, easily perceived and easily
understood.

PART III
MOBILE WORK EQUIPMENT

Employees carried on mobile work equipment

25. Every employer shall ensure that no employee is carried by mobile work equipment unless—
(a) it is suitable for carrying persons; and
(b) it incorporates features for reducing to as low as is reasonably practicable risks to their
safety, including risks from wheels or tracks.

Rolling over of mobile work equipment

26. (1) Every employer shall ensure that where there is a risk to an employee riding on mobile
work equipment from its rolling over, it is minimised by—
(a) stabilising the work equipment;
(b) a structure which ensures that the work equipment does no more than fall on its side;
(c) a structure giving sufficient clearance to anyone being carried if it overturns further than
that; or
(d) a device giving comparable protection.
(2) Where there is a risk of anyone being carried by mobile work equipment being crushed by
its rolling over, the employer shall ensure that it has a suitable restraining system for him.
(3) This regulation shall not apply to a fork-lift truck having a structure described in sub-
paragraph (b) or (c) of paragraph (1).
(4) Compliance with this regulation is not required where—
(a) it would increase the overall risk to safety;
(b) it would not be reasonably practicable to operate the mobile work equipment in
consequence; or
(c) in relation to an item of work equipment provided for use in the undertaking or
establishment before 5th December 1998 it would not be reasonably practicable.

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Overturning of fork-lift trucks

27. Every employer shall ensure that a fork-lift truck to which regulation 26(3) refers and which
carries an employee is adapted or equipped to reduce to as low as is reasonably practicable the risk
to safety from its overturning.

Self-propelled work equipment

28. Every employer shall ensure that, where self-propelled work equipment may, while in motion,
involve risk to the safety of persons—
(a) it has facilities for preventing its being started by an unauthorised person;
(b) it has appropriate facilities for minimising the consequences of a collision where there is
more than one item of rail-mounted work equipment in motion at the same time;
(c) it has a device for braking and stopping;
(d) where safety constraints so require, emergency facilities operated by readily accessible
controls or automatic systems are available for braking and stopping the work equipment
in the event of failure of the main facility;
(e) where the driver’s direct field of vision is inadequate to ensure safety, there are adequate
devices for improving his vision so far as is reasonably practicable;
(f) if provided for use at night or in dark places—
(i) it is equipped with lighting appropriate to the work to be carried out; and
(ii) is otherwise sufficiently safe for such use;
(g) if it, or anything carried or towed by it, constitutes a fire hazard and is liable to endanger
employees, it carries appropriate fire-fighting equipment, unless such equipment is kept
sufficiently close to it.

Remote-controlled self-propelled work equipment

29. Every employer shall ensure that where remote-controlled self-propelled work equipment
involves a risk to safety while in motion—
(a) it stops automatically once it leaves its control range; and
(b) where the risk is of crushing or impact it incorporates features to guard against such risk
unless other appropriate devices are able to do so.

Drive shafts
30. (1) Where the seizure of the drive shaft between mobile work equipment and its accessories
or anything towed is likely to involve a risk to safety every employer shall—
(a) ensure that the work equipment has a means of preventing such seizure; or
(b) where such seizure cannot be avoided, take every possible measure to avoid an adverse
effect on the safety of an employee.
(2) Every employer shall ensure that—
(a) where mobile work equipment has a shaft for the transmission of energy between it and
other mobile work equipment; and
(b) the shaft could become soiled or damaged by contact with the ground while uncoupled,
the work equipment has a system for safeguarding the shaft.

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PART IV
POWER PRESSES

Power presses to which Part IV does not apply

31. Regulations 32 to 35 shall not apply to a power press of a kind which is described in
Schedule 2.

Thorough examination of power presses, guards and protection devices

32. (1) Every employer shall ensure that a power press is not put into service for the first time
after installation, or after assembly at a new site or in a new location unless—
(a) it has been thoroughly examined to ensure that it—
(i) has been installed correctly; and
(ii) would be safe to operate; and
(b) any defect has been remedied.
(2) Every employer shall ensure that a guard, other than one to which paragraph (3) relates, or
protection device is not put into service for the first time on a power press unless—
(a) it has been thoroughly examined when in position on that power press to ensure that it is
effective for its purpose; and
(b) any defect has been remedied.
(3) Every employer shall ensure that that part of a closed tool which acts as a fixed guard is not
used on a power press unless—
(a) it has been thoroughly examined when in position on any power press in the premises to
ensure that it is effective for its purpose; and
(b) any defect has been remedied.
(4) For the purpose of ensuring that health and safety conditions are maintained, and that any
deterioration can be detected and remedied in good time, every employer shall ensure that—
(a) every power press is thoroughly examined, and its guards and protection devices are
thoroughly examined when in position on that power press—
(i) at least every 12 months, where it has fixed guards only; or
(ii) at least every 6 months, in other cases; and
(iii) each time that exceptional circumstances have occurred which are liable to
jeopardise the safety of the power press or its guards or protection devices; and
(b) any defect is remedied before the power press is used again.
(5) Where a power press, guard or protection device was before the coming into force of these
Regulations required to be thoroughly examined by regulation 5(2) of the Power Presses Regulations
1965(14) the first thorough examination under paragraph (4) shall be made before the date by which
a thorough examination would have been required by regulation 5(2) had it remained in force.
(6) Paragraph (4) shall not apply to that part of a closed tool which acts as a fixed guard.
(7) In this regulation “defect” means a defect notified under regulation 34 other than a defect
which has not yet become a danger to persons.

(14) S.I. 1965/1441.

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Inspection of guards and protection devices

33. (1) Every employer shall ensure that a power press is not used after the setting, re-setting or
adjustment of its tools, save in trying out its tools or save in die proving, unless—
(a) its every guard and protection device has been inspected and tested while in position on
the power press by a person appointed in writing by the employer who is—
(i) competent; or
(ii) undergoing training for that purpose and acting under the immediate supervision of
a competent person,
and who has signed a certificate which complies with paragraph (3); or
(b) the guards and protection devices have not been altered or disturbed in the course of the
adjustment of its tools.
(2) Every employer shall ensure that a power press is not used after the expiration of the fourth
hour of a working period unless its every guard and protection device has been inspected and tested
while in position on the power press by a person appointed in writing by the employer who is—
(a) competent; or
(b) undergoing training for that purpose and acting under the immediate supervision of a
competent person,
and who has signed a certificate which complies with paragraph (3).
(3) A certificate referred to in this regulation shall—
(a) contain sufficient particulars to identify every guard and protection device inspected and
tested and the power press on which it was positioned at the time of the inspection and test;
(b) state the date and time of the inspection and test; and
(c) state that every guard and protection device on the power press is in position and effective
for its purpose.
(4) In this regulation “working period”, in relation to a power press, means—
(a) the period in which the day’s or night’s work is done; or
(b) in premises where a shift system is in operation, a shift.

Reports
34. (1) A person making a thorough examination for an employer under regulation 32 shall—
(a) notify the employer forthwith of any defect in a power press or its guard or protection
device which in his opinion is or could become a danger to persons;
(b) as soon as is practicable make a report of the thorough examination to the employer in
writing authenticated by him or on his behalf by signature or equally secure means and
containing the information specified in Schedule 3; and
(c) where there is in his opinion a defect in a power press or its guard or protection device
which is or could become a danger to persons, send a copy of the report as soon as is
practicable to the enforcing authority for the premises in which the power press is situated.
(2) A person making an inspection and test for an employer under regulation 33 shall forthwith
notify the employer of any defect in a guard or protection device which in his opinion is or could
become a danger to persons and the reason for his opinion.

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Keeping of information
35. (1) Every employer shall ensure that the information in every report made pursuant to
regulation 34(1) is kept available for inspection for 2 years after it is made.
(2) Every employer shall ensure that a certificate under regulation 33(1)(a)(ii) or (2)(b) is kept
available for inspection—
(a) at or near the power press to which it relates until superseded by a later certificate; and
(b) after that, until 6 months have passed since it was signed.

PART V
MISCELLANEOUS

Exemption for the armed forces

36. (1) The Secretary of State for Defence may, in the interests of national security, by a
certificate in writing exempt any of the home forces, any visiting force or any headquarters from any
requirement or prohibition imposed by these Regulations and any such exemption may be granted
subject to conditions and to a limit of time and may be revoked by the said Secretary of State by
a certificate in writing at any time.
(2) In this regulation—
(a) “the home forces” has the same meaning as in section 12(1) of the Visiting Forces Act
1952(15);
(b) “headquarters” has the same meaning as in article 3(2) of the Visiting Forces and
International Headquarters (Application of Law) Order 1965(16);
(c) “visiting force” has the same meaning as it does for the purposes of any provision of Part
I of the Visiting Forces Act 1952.

Transitional provision
37. The requirements in regulations 25 to 30 shall not apply to work equipment provided for use
in the undertaking or establishment before 5th December 1998 until 5th December 2002.

Repeal of enactment
38. Section 19 of the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963(17) is repealed.

Revocation of instruments
39. The instruments specified in column 1 of Schedule 4 are revoked to the extent specified in
column 3 of that Schedule.

(15) 1952 c. 67.

(16) S.I. 1965/1536, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
(17) 1963 c. 41.
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Signed by authority of the Secretary of State

Alan Meale
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State,
Department of the Environment, Transport and
15th September 1998 the Regions

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SCHEDULE 1 Regulation 10

INSTRUMENTS WHICH GIVE EFFECT TO COMMUNITY

DIRECTIVES CONCERNING THE SAFETY OF PRODUCTS

(1) (2)
Title Reference
The Construction Plant and Equipment S.I.1985/1968, amended by S.I. 1989/1127
(Harmonisation of Noise Emission Standards)
Regulations 1985
The Construction Plant and Equipment S.I. 1988/361, amended by S.I. 1992/488,
(Harmonisation of Noise Emission Standards) 1995/2357
Regulations 1988
The Electro-medical Equipment (EEC S.I. 1988/1586, amended by S.I. 1994/3017
Requirements) Regulations 1988
The Low Voltage Electrical Equipment (Safety) S.I. 1989/728, amended by S.I. 1994/3260
Regulations 1989
The Construction Products Regulations 1991 S.I. 1991/1620, amended by S.I. 1994/3051
The Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) S.I. 1991/2749, amended by S.I. 1994/3098
Regulations 1991
The Lawnmowers (Harmonisation of Noise S.I. 1992/168
Emission Standards) Regulations 1992
The Gas Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1992 S.I. 1992/711
The Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations S.I. 1992/2372, amended by S.I. 1994/3080
1992
The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations S.I. 1992/3073, amended by S.I. 1994/2063
1992
The Personal Protective Equipment (EC S.I. 1992/3139, amended by S.I. 1993/3074,
Directive) Regulations 1992 1994/2326, 1996/3039
The Active Implantable Medical Devices S.I. 1992/3146, amended by S.I. 1995/1671
Regulations 1992
The Medical Devices Regulations 1994 S.I. 1994/3017
The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations S.I. 1994/3260
1994
The Gas Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1995 S.I. 1995/1629
The Equipment and Protective Systems S.I. 1996/192
Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive
Atmospheres Regulations 1996
The Lifts Regulations 1997 S.I. 1997/831

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SCHEDULE 2 Regulation 31

POWER PRESSES TO WHICH REGULATIONS 32 TO 35 DO NOT APPLY

1. A power press for the working of hot metal.
2. A power press not capable of a stroke greater than 6 millimetres.
3. A guillotine.
4. A combination punching and shearing machine, turret punch press or similar machine for
punching, shearing or cropping.
5. A machine, other than a press brake, for bending steel sections.
6. A straightening machine.
7. An upsetting machine.
8. A heading machine.
9. A riveting machine.
10. An eyeletting machine.
11. A press-stud attaching machine.
12. A zip fastener bottom stop attaching machine.
13. A stapling machine.
14. A wire stitching machine.
15. A power press for the compacting of metal powders.

SCHEDULE 3 Regulation 34(1)(b)

INFORMATION TO BE CONTAINED IN A REPORT OF A THOROUGH

EXAMINATION OF A POWER PRESS, GUARD OR PROTECTION DEVICE
1. The name of the employer for whom the thorough examination was made.
2. The address of the premises at which the thorough examination was made.
3. In relation to each item examined—
(a) that it is a power press, interlocking guard, fixed guard or other type of guard or protection
device;
(b) where known its make, type and year of manufacture;
(c) the identifying mark of—
(i) the manufacture,
(ii) the employer.
4. In relation to the first thorough examination of a power press after installation or after assembly
at a new site or in a new location—
(a) that it is such thorough examination;
(b) either that it has been installed correctly and would be safe to operate or the respects in
which it has not been installed correctly or would not be safe to operate;
(c) identification of any part found to have a defect, and a description of the defect.
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5. In relation to a thorough examination of a power press other than one to which paragraph 4
relates—
(a) that it is such other thorough examination;
(b) either that the power press would be safe to operate or the respects in which it would not
be safe to operate;
(c) identification of any part found to have a defect which is or could become a danger to
persons, and a description of the defect.
6. In relation to a thorough examination of a guard or protection device—
(a) either that it is effective for its purpose or the respects in which it is not effective for its
purpose;
(b) identification of any part found to have a defect which is or could become a danger to
persons, and a description of the defect.
7. Any repair, renewal or alteration required to remedy a defect found to be a danger to persons.
8. In the case of a defect which is not yet but could become a danger to persons—
(a) the time by which it could become such danger;
(b) any repair, renewal or alteration required to remedy it.
9. Any other defect which requires remedy.
10. Any repair, renewal or alteration referred to in paragraph 7 which has already been effected.
11. The date on which any defect referred to in paragraph 8 was notified to the employer under
regulation 34(1)(a).
12. The qualification and address of the person making the report; that he is self-employed or if
employed, the name and address of his employer.
13. The date of the thorough examination.
14. The date of the report.
15. The name of the person making the report and where different the name of the person signing
or otherwise authenticating it.

SCHEDULE 4 Regulation 39

REVOCATION OF INSTRUMENTS

(1) (2) (3)

Title Reference Extent of revocation
The Operations at Unfenced S.R. & O. 1946/156 The whole Regulations
Machinery (Amended
Schedule) Regulations 1946
The Agriculture (Circular S.I. 1959/427 The whole Regulations
Saws) Regulations 1959
The Prescribed Dangerous S.I. 1964/971 The whole order
Machines 1964

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(1) (2) (3)

Title Reference Extent of revocation
The Power Presses Regulations S.I. 1965/1441 The whole Regulations
1965
The Abrasive Wheels S.I. 1970/535 The whole Regulations
Regulations 1970
The Power Presses S.I. 1972/1512 The whole Regulations
(Amendment) Regulations
1972
The Woodworking Machines S.I. 1974/903 The whole Regulations
Regulations 1974
The Operations at Unfenced S.I. 1976/955 The whole Regulations
Machinery (Amendment)
Regulations 1976
The Factories (Standards S.I. 1978/1126 The whole Regulations
of Lighting) (Revocation)
Regulations 1978
The Offshore Installations S.I. 1984/419 The whole Regulations
(Application of Statutory
Instruments) Regulations 1984
The Offshore Installations S.I. 1989/1672 The whole Regulations
(Operational Safety, Health
and Welfare and Life-Saving
Appliances) (Revocations)
Regulations 1989
The Provision and Use of S.I. 1992/2932 The whole Regulations
Work Equipment Regulations
1992
The Construction (Health, S.I. 1996/1592 Regulation 27
Safety and Welfare)
Regulations 1996

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1. These Regulations impose health and safety requirements with respect to the provision and
use of work equipment, which is defined in regulation 2(1).
2. The Regulations revoke and re-enact the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations
1992 (“the 1992 Regulations”), which gave effect as respects Great Britain, except in relation to

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certain matters, to Council Directive 89/655/EEC (OJNo. L393, 30.12.89, p.13) on the minimum
health and safety requirements for the use of work equipment by workers at work (“the Directive”).
3. In addition to minor and drafting changes these Regulations contain new provision giving
effect as respects Great Britain to the provisions of the Directive identified below and inserted in it
by the amending Council Directive 95/63/EC (OJ No. L335, 30.12.95, p.28).
4. Save in the case of regulation 34 (reports) these Regulations, as the 1992 Regulations, place
duties on employers. They also place those duties (not required by the Directive) on others, who
now include (regulation 3(3) to (5)) certain persons having control of work equipment, of persons
at work who use or supervise or manage its use or of the way it is used, to the extent of their control.
5. These Regulations, as the 1992 Regulations, have limited application to ships. The way in
which they so apply is revised (regulation 3(6) to (11)).
6. The Regulations (giving effect to the replaced last paragraph of point 2.1 of Annex I to the
Directive) require that control systems of work equipment are chosen making due allowance for the
failures, faults and constraints to be expected in the planned circumstances of use (regulation 19(1)
(b)).
7. The Regulations, in giving effect to Article 4a of the Directive, require—
(a) the inspection of work equipment in specified circumstances by a competent person
(regulation 6(1) and (2));
(b) the recording and keeping of the result (regulation 6(3)); and
(c) that evidence of the last inspection accompany work equipment used outside the
undertaking (regulation 6(4)). Work equipment subject to equivalent provision is excepted
(regulation 6(5). “Inspection” is defined in regulation 2(1).
8. The Regulations give effect to point 3.1 of Annex I to the Directive in making provision in
relation to mobile work equipment for—
(a) its suitability for carrying persons and its safety features (regulation 25);
(b) means to minimise the risk to safety from its rolling over (regulation 26);
(c) means to reduce the risk to safety from the rolling over of a fork-lift truck (regulation 27);
(d) the safety of self-propelled work equipment (regulation 28) and remote-controlled self
propelled work equipment (regulation 29); and
(e) the drive shafts of mobile work equipment (regulation 30),
and as permitted by Article 4.1(c) of the Directive give relief until 5th December 2002 for existing
mobile work equipment.
9. Regulations 32 to 36 and Schedules 2 and 3 re-enact with modifications the Power Presses
Regulations 1965/1441 (“the 1965 Regulations”). In so doing they include provision giving effect,
as regards power presses, to Article 4a of the Directive. Certain power presses, excluded by the 1965
Regulations or exempted under them, are excluded (regulation 31 and Schedule 2). The Regulations
provide for—
(a) the thorough examination (defined in regulation 2(1)) of power presses and their guards
and protection devices (regulation 32);
(b) their inspection after setting, re-setting or adjustment of their tools, and every working
period (regulation 33); and
(c) the making (regulation 34 and Schedule 3) and keeping (regulation 35) of reports.
10. The Regulations repeal section 19 of the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963
(regulation 38) and revoke provisions of instruments (regulation 39 and Schedule 4).

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11. Copies of the cost benefit assessment prepared in respect of these Regulations other than
regulations 31 to 35 (power presses), of that prepared in respect of regulations 3 to 35, and of that
prepared in respect of woodworking machines, may be obtained from the Economic Adviser’s Unit,
the Health and Safety Executive, Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HS.

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