Health & Safety
PUWER Risk Assessment & UKCA Compliance Training
Course overview
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) place clear duties on anyone who provides, controls or uses work equipment. This PUWER Risk Assessment & UKCA Compliance Training course gives delegates a practical, UK-focused understanding of how to assess work equipment, apply the hierarchy of control, and meet the product conformity obligations that connect PUWER to UKCA and CE marking.
Across eight modules you will cover the scope of PUWER, work equipment risk assessment, suitability, maintenance and inspection, guarding of dangerous parts, controls and isolation, mobile work equipment and power presses, and the information, training, marking and warnings duties. A dedicated module explains product conformity, including BS EN 61010-1, the safety standard for electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use.
The course is delivered as self-paced online learning, live Teams / hybrid sessions for your team, or onsite tutor-led training at your premises. It is awareness and skills training: it is not legal advice, it is not accredited or approved by any body, and delegates receive a certificate of attendance on completion rather than a licence or qualification to perform statutory inspections.
Course outline
Introduction to PUWER 1998
Establish a clear understanding of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, their scope and how they fit alongside other UK health and safety law.
Purpose and scope of PUWER 1998 and who it applies to Definition of "work equipment" and "use" of equipment Relationship with MHSWR 1999, LOLER 1998 and the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations Employer, employee and self-employed duties under PUWER How PUWER is enforced and the consequences of non-compliance
PUWER Risk Assessment
Apply a structured risk assessment approach to work equipment, identifying hazards and selecting controls using the hierarchy of control.
Linking PUWER to the MHSWR 1999 risk assessment duty Identifying mechanical, electrical, thermal and ergonomic hazards Evaluating likelihood and severity of harm Applying the hierarchy of control: eliminate, substitute, engineer, administer, protect Recording, reviewing and communicating the risk assessment
Suitability, Maintenance & Inspection
Understand the PUWER requirements that keep work equipment safe throughout its life, from selection and suitability to maintenance and inspection.
Regulation 4 - suitability of work equipment for its intended use Regulation 5 - maintenance in efficient working order and good repair Regulation 6 - inspection of equipment at suitable intervals Regulation 7 - management of specific risks where they cannot be eliminated Keeping maintenance and inspection records as evidence of compliance
Guarding & Protection from Dangerous Parts
Specify appropriate guarding and protective measures for machinery, addressing the PUWER requirements for dangerous parts and other specified hazards.
Regulation 11 - measures to protect against dangerous parts of machinery Fixed, interlocked, adjustable and trip guarding strategies Regulation 12 - protection against specified hazards (ejection, rupture, explosion) Regulation 13 - protection from high or very low temperature surfaces and materials Selecting guards that are compatible with the task and the operator
Controls, Isolation & Stability
Implement safe control arrangements, emergency stops, isolation from energy sources and stability measures for work equipment.
Regulation 14-15 - controls for starting, stopping and speed change Regulation 16 - provision and positioning of emergency stop controls Regulation 17-18 - control systems and their safety integrity Regulation 19 - isolation from sources of energy (lock-off / tag-off) Regulation 20-21 - stability of equipment and adequate workplace lighting
Product Conformity: UKCA & CE Marking
Understand the product marking and conformity obligations that apply to work equipment placed on the GB and EU markets, including the role of BS EN 61010-1.
Regulation 10 - conformity with essential health and safety requirements CE marking for equipment placed on the EU market UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking for the GB market Transitional and recognition arrangements for CE-marked goods in Great Britain BS EN 61010-1 - safety requirements for electrical measurement, control and laboratory equipment
Mobile Work Equipment & Power Presses
Cover the additional PUWER requirements for mobile work equipment and the specific, higher-risk controls for power presses.
Regulation 24-26 - suitability, rolling-over and protection for mobile work equipment Regulation 27-30 - power press guarding, examination and thorough inspection Roles of the competent person for power press thorough examination Documentation and inspection records for higher-risk equipment Integrating these duties with your wider PUWER risk assessment
Information, Training, Marking & Warnings
Ensure equipment users have the information, instruction, training and supervision they need, and that equipment is correctly marked and signed.
Regulation 8 - adequate health and safety information and written instructions Regulation 9 - training of operators, supervisors and managers Regulation 22 - marking of equipment with essential health and safety information Regulation 23 - warnings, warning devices and notices Building a PUWER-compliant equipment register and training matrix
Delivery methods
2 days / Self-paced online · Intermediate level · available through online, hybrid and onsite delivery. Pricing starts from £95, with options for individuals, teams and workplace delivery where available.
Self-paced eLearning. Complete anywhere with interactive modules, practical risk assessment examples and a certificate of attendance included.
2 days. Live tutor-led Teams / virtual classroom for up to 10 delegates, with 12 months' platform access, an AI learning assistant, audit software tools and a certificate of attendance. Ideal for teams managing work equipment across multiple sites.
2 days at your workplace for up to 10 delegates. Train your maintenance and H&S team, tailored to your equipment and processes, to reduce travel costs and improve internal capability.
Detailed course guidance
Who should take this PUWER training course?
This PUWER risk assessment and UKCA compliance training is designed for anyone who selects, maintains, inspects or manages work equipment. It is equally valuable for staff new to equipment safety and for experienced managers who want a structured refresher on PUWER 1998 and product conformity.
The PUWER Risk Assessment Process
A sound PUWER risk assessment follows a clear, repeatable process that links the work equipment you provide to the risks it creates and the controls you apply. This course walks delegates through each stage so you can apply the same disciplined approach to every piece of equipment in your register.
Identify the Equipment & Hazards
List the work equipment in use, identify the mechanical, electrical, thermal and ergonomic hazards each item creates, and consider how it is actually used, including foreseeable misuse.
Evaluate the Risk
Assess the likelihood and severity of harm, taking account of existing controls, who is exposed, and the environment in which the equipment is operated and maintained.
Apply the Hierarchy of Control
Select controls in order - eliminate, substitute, engineer (guarding, isolation), administer (procedures, training) and protect (PPE) - so that residual risk is reduced as low as reasonably practicable.
Record, Review & Communicate
Record the assessment and controls in your equipment register, communicate them to users, and review them when equipment, use or conditions change or after an incident.
Product Conformity: UKCA & CE Marking
PUWER Regulation 10 requires work equipment to conform with the relevant essential health and safety requirements. For equipment placed on the market this connects directly to product marking - UKCA for the Great Britain market and CE for the EU market. Where equipment is electrical measurement, control or laboratory equipment, BS EN 61010-1 is one of the standards that can support conformity.
This course explains the relationship between PUWER and product conformity at an awareness level. It is not legal advice, and the marking position for any specific product should be confirmed against current official government guidance and the applicable product regulations.
Identify the applicable requirements
Determine which product safety regulations apply to the equipment and whether it is being placed on the GB market, the EU market, or both.
Apply essential health and safety requirements
Design and select equipment that meets the essential requirements, using harmonised standards such as BS EN 61010-1 where relevant to support conformity.
Compile technical documentation
Assemble the technical file, including risk assessments, test evidence and instructions, that demonstrates how the equipment meets the requirements.
Affix the correct marking
Apply UKCA marking for the GB market and/or CE marking for the EU market, accompanied by a Declaration of Conformity where required.
Meet PUWER Duties
Build a structured approach to work equipment safety that addresses the PUWER 1998 regulations and supports your wider health and safety management system.
Reduce Equipment Risk
Identify machinery and equipment hazards early through focused risk assessment and apply the hierarchy of control to reduce the risk of injury.
Get Conformity Right
Understand UKCA and CE marking obligations and where BS EN 61010-1 applies, so equipment you buy, modify or place on the market meets the right requirements.
Build In-House Capability
Develop competent staff who can assess, inspect and manage work equipment safely without relying on external support for every decision.
PUWER Training Online, Teams & Onsite
Our PUWER risk assessment and UKCA compliance course is available as self-paced online learning, so you can complete your PUWER training in the UK from any location. The interactive e-learning module guides you through the regulations, the risk assessment process and practical equipment examples at your own pace.
For teams that prefer a guided approach, live tutor-led Teams / Hybrid delivery combines virtual classroom sessions with 12 months of platform access, our AI learning assistant and audit software tools. Onsite training brings the course directly to your workplace, tailored to your own equipment, processes and risk assessments.
Assessment
Delegates complete knowledge checks and practical risk assessment exercises throughout the course to reinforce learning. The online module includes a final assessment to confirm understanding of PUWER requirements, the risk assessment process and product conformity, so you can be confident your team can apply the skills to real equipment.
Certificate of Attendance
On successful completion of the course, delegates receive a certificate of attendance confirming they have completed PUWER risk assessment and UKCA compliance training. This is not an accreditation, licence or qualification to perform statutory inspections, and the course is not approved or endorsed by HSE, BSI, UKAS or any other body.
What you will learn in this PUWER Risk Assessment & UKCA Compliance Training
Who should attend
This course is suited to health and safety managers, facilities and estates managers, engineering and maintenance managers, workshop and production managers, machine operators and supervisors, laboratory managers and technical staff, compliance and quality managers, equipment purchasers and procurement teams, plant and asset managers and anyone responsible for work equipment safety working across construction, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and operational workplaces. It is built for delegates who need clear, practical guidance on PUWER 1998 requirements and practical application without unnecessary jargon.
Accreditation and certification
On successful completion of the course, delegates receive a certificate of attendance confirming they have completed PUWER risk assessment and UKCA compliance training. This is not an accreditation, licence or qualification to perform statutory inspections, and the course is not approved or endorsed by HSE, BSI, UKAS or any other body.
Continue your ISO route
Use these routes to compare the course with the wider certification path and related training options.
Frequently asked questions
What is PUWER?
PUWER is the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. It places duties on employers, the self-employed and people in control of work equipment to ensure that equipment provided for use at work is suitable, safe, maintained, inspected and used correctly. PUWER applies across virtually every workplace in Great Britain where work equipment is used.
Who does PUWER apply to?
PUWER applies to employers, employees, the self-employed and anyone in control of work equipment, including those who hire, lease or supply equipment for use at work. It covers all sectors where work equipment is used, from manufacturing and construction to laboratories, offices and facilities management.
What is the difference between PUWER and LOLER?
PUWER covers all work equipment generally, while LOLER (the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) applies specifically to lifting equipment and lifting operations. Equipment used for lifting must meet both PUWER and LOLER. This course focuses on PUWER risk assessment and work equipment safety, including product conformity, rather than the specific LOLER requirements for lifting.
What is UKCA marking?
UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking is the UK product marking used to show that certain products placed on the Great Britain market meet applicable UK product safety regulations. It sits alongside CE marking, which is used for products placed on the EU market. PUWER Regulation 10 requires work equipment to conform with relevant essential health and safety requirements, which is where UKCA and CE marking obligations connect to PUWER.
Is CE marking still valid in the UK?
CE marking remains recognised for many products placed on the Great Britain market under transitional and recognition arrangements, while UKCA marking applies to products placed on the GB market under the relevant UK regulations. The position depends on the product and the applicable regulations, so organisations should confirm current arrangements against official government guidance. This course explains the relationship between PUWER, UKCA and CE marking at an awareness level rather than providing legal advice.
What is BS EN 61010-1 and why does it matter for PUWER?
BS EN 61010-1 is the safety standard for electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use - Part 1: General requirements. Where work equipment of this type falls within PUWER and relevant product safety regulations, applying BS EN 61010-1 can support conformity with the essential health and safety requirements. The course introduces the standard at an awareness level for laboratory, measurement and control equipment users.
How often should work equipment be inspected under PUWER?
PUWER Regulation 6 requires work equipment to be inspected at suitable intervals, with the frequency determined by the type of equipment, how it is used, the risks involved and the manufacturer's instructions. Some equipment, such as power presses, has specific inspection requirements. The course explains how to determine inspection intervals and keep records as part of a PUWER inspection programme.
Is this course accredited or approved?
No. This is an awareness and skills training course and is not accredited, approved or endorsed by HSE, BSI, UKAS or any other body. It is not legal advice and does not certify equipment, products or individuals as competent to carry out statutory inspections. Delegates who complete the course receive a certificate of attendance confirming they have completed PUWER risk assessment and UKCA compliance training.
How is the course delivered?
The course is available as self-paced online e-learning, live tutor-led Teams / hybrid delivery for your team, or onsite tutor-led training at your premises. Online learners work through the modules at their own pace; hybrid and onsite options are ideal for teams that want guided discussion tailored to their own equipment and workplace.
What do delegates receive on completion?
Delegates receive full course materials, practical risk assessment exercises and a certificate of attendance on successful completion of the course. The certificate confirms attendance at PUWER risk assessment and UKCA compliance training and can support your training records, but it is not a licence, qualification or accreditation to perform statutory inspections.
