What is PUWER in Health and Social Care?

The acronym PUWER stands for the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. These regulations serve an important function in health and social care environments across the UK. PUWER sets out the responsibilities employers and employees have when work equipment is used as part of their job. In care homes, hospitals, clinics, and supported living environments, these rules apply to a wide range of equipment. This covers everything from hoists and wheelchairs right through to kitchen appliances and portable tools.

PUWER exists to support safety for both staff and people who use care services. It lays out what is expected when employers provide equipment for use at work, and what must be done to keep everybody safe.

What is the Purpose of PUWER?

PUWER is there to stop accidents and injuries at work. Its focus is on making sure all equipment used at work is safe, maintained, and handled by trained people. In health and social care, this relates directly to equipment that helps staff deliver care and to appliances that service users may need in their daily lives.

Rather than being a set of vague principles, these regulations are detailed and practical. They give clear steps for identifying risks and reducing potential harm.

In short, PUWER answers the following questions:

• Is the equipment suitable for the task?
• Is the equipment safe to use?
• Has the equipment been maintained to a safe standard?
• Have staff received enough training?
• Is the equipment properly inspected?

Equipment Covered by PUWER in Health and Social Care

PUWER applies to a very wide variety of work equipment. It does not only include large, complex machines. In health and social care, you see PUWER touch everything from the most basic item to specialist medical machinery.

Types of equipment under PUWER:

• Beds, trolleys, and rise-recliner chairs
• Lifts and hoists
• Wheelchairs and mobility aids
• Bathing equipment like bath lifts and shower trolleys
• Hazardous cleaning machines (floor buffers, industrial vacuums)
• Kitchen and laundry machines
• Hand tools and power tools
• Specialist equipment, such as physiotherapy machines

If staff or service users operate a piece of equipment as part of their work or care, it is covered by PUWER. Even basic items, such as kettles or microwave ovens, are subject to these rules when they are in use in a work environment.

Duties of Employers Under PUWER

Employers in health and social care settings must take a proactive approach to PUWER. No matter the size of the setting, from a small care agency to a large hospital trust, the responsibilities are clear.

Main duties include:

• Only providing equipment that is suitable and safe for use
• Keeping equipment maintained and in good working order
• Carrying out checks before equipment is used by staff or service users
• Making certain that all staff who may use equipment have appropriate training and practical instruction
• Informing staff and service users about the risks and how to reduce them

Employers must look at the environment, the people using the equipment, and what that equipment is being used for. This involves:

• Risk assessments carried out by competent, trained individuals
• Considering the physical and mental abilities of users
• Removal or repair of any faulty equipment without delay

In practice, this might mean checking for missing guards on kitchen equipment or ensuring a bed’s brakes work fully. It also extends to making sure the right equipment is chosen—for example, selecting hoists that are suited to a person’s weight and mobility needs.

Suitability for Purpose

The regulations highlight the need to provide equipment that is suitable for its intended purpose and for the person using it. This addresses both physical suitability and the appropriateness for all users—staff and people receiving care.

A piece of equipment is only suitable if:

• It is right for the task (for example, a hoist with the correct weight rating)
• Staff and service users are able to use it confidently and safely
• The working environment supports its safe use

This can mean making adjustments, such as using low-level kitchen appliances for staff or residents with limited reach.

Safe Use of Equipment

Proper use of equipment prevents many workplace injuries. PUWER’s guidance requires that work equipment can be operated, maintained, and cleaned safely. This is an ongoing process, not a “tick-box” exercise at the point of equipment purchase.

Key aspects of safe use:

• Operating instructions and warnings provided in Plain English
• Operating conditions taken into account (e.g. wet floors in bathrooms)
• Personal protective equipment provided if needed (e.g. gloves, aprons)
• Clear labelling and storage of hazardous items
• Safe transportation and movement of mobile equipment

If an item is too complex, or the risks too great for general use, only competent staff should use it.

Inspection and Maintenance

PUWER places strong emphasis on inspection, testing and maintenance. This is because poor maintenance is a leading cause of accidents across all work settings.

Routine inspection involves:

• Visually checking for signs of damage, frayed cables, or loose parts
• Scheduled servicing by qualified engineers
• Regular testing of safety features, such as emergency stops on machines

Frequency of checks depends on:

• How often equipment is used
• Whether it is used by multiple people
• The risk level (for example, a hoist needs more frequent checks than a kettle)

Maintenance records must be kept available for review by staff and regulators. A logbook might record details such as the date of inspection, the findings, and actions taken.

Cleaning and decontamination are part of this process, especially for equipment used directly by service users.

Training and Competency

Staff training is a central element of PUWER. People who use equipment at work, or supervise others doing so, must have clear instructions. They need time to practise until they are confident.

Types of training needed:

• Induction training for new staff
• Regular refresher sessions for existing staff
• Task-specific training for specialist equipment (e.g., medical pumps)

This ensures staff understand:

• How the equipment works
• How to spot defects and report them
• The correct procedures for cleaning and storage
• What to do in an emergency or if an accident occurs

Supervisors have a duty to check that everyone remains competent and to provide help if someone finds the equipment difficult or frightening to use.

Involving Service Users

Service users often play an active part. People who live in care homes, supported housing, or use community care services may need to use equipment themselves.

It is the responsibility of the care provider to make sure:

• Service users get clear, understandable instructions
• Risks are discussed openly and, where possible, people can make their own choices
• Any physical or communication needs are reflected in the way information and training is provided

For example, a resident with reduced eyesight should receive instructions in large print or through verbal demonstration.

PUWER and Agency or Temporary Staff

Agency and temporary staff are common in health and social care. The law does not make exceptions for temporary workers. They receive the same level of protection and training as full-time staff.

Before agency staff use any equipment, they need to:

• Read and understand the local policies relating to PUWER
• Receive hands-on training specific to the equipment and environment
• Know who to contact if a problem occurs

Employers must not assume that agency staff are already competent. Detailed handovers and clear records help maintain high safety standards.

Reporting Defects and Near Misses

Swift reporting is essential. If equipment develops a fault or almost causes harm (a “near miss”), staff must report it immediately. This stops the equipment being used before it is fixed.

Common processes include:

• Removing faulty equipment from service
• Signing or labelling faulty items
• Logging incidents in an accident book or electronic system
• Informing the maintenance team quickly

Care homes and hospitals should encourage all staff to report problems, even if there is no actual injury. This leads to a culture where safety is seen as everyone’s job.

Relationship With Other Safety Legislation

PUWER is not a “stand-alone” law—it works closely with other workplace safety regulations, including:

• The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)
• The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

Each of these regulations covers different areas, but they fit together to protect staff and service users.

A hoist, for example, is covered by both PUWER (safe use, training, maintenance) and LOLER (specific checks for lifting people safely).

The Role of the Regulator

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspects registered care services in England. CQC expects providers to follow PUWER as part of their legal duties. Similar regulators operate in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Failure to follow PUWER can lead to enforcement action. This might mean:

• Written warnings
• Requirement notices
• Fines and prosecution

Inspection teams check training records, maintenance logs, and observe practice on the ground. They will talk to staff and service users to check if training and procedures match the law.

Protecting Everyone

At its core, PUWER is about keeping people safe and treating equipment risks with the seriousness they deserve. In health and social care, staff, residents, clients and visitors all have a right to safety—a right that depends on everyone playing their part.

Good practice under PUWER brings further benefits:

• Reduced risk of injuries and sickness absence
• Improved confidence for service users and staff
• Equipment lasts longer and works better
• Complies with the expectations of regulators and families alike

Good Practice Checklist

To put PUWER into action, employers and staff can make use of the following checklist:

• Check all equipment is suitable before it is used
• Keep clear records of maintenance and inspections
• Provide regular training and refreshers for all staff and volunteers
• Communicate information in ways that everyone can understand
• Store and clean equipment properly
• Remove faulty items from use immediately
• Encourage open reporting of accidents, incidents, and near misses

Final Thoughts

In health and social care, the safety of equipment is not just a technical or management issue. It is personal. PUWER spells out who does what, when, and how. It helps create workplaces where risks are controlled and everyone can do their job, or live their life, without preventable harm.

Understanding, applying, and reviewing PUWER isn’t a paper exercise. It affects the confidence, wellbeing, and safety of everyone in the setting—24 hours a day, every day of the year.