LOLER and PUWER Regulations: What’s the Difference and What Does Your Business Need?

Q: What is the difference between a PUWER Assessment and a PUWER Inspection?

A PUWER Assessment is a comprehensive review of machinery and its use against applicable PUWER requirements. Our assessments are primarily aimed at manufacturers and businesses operating process machinery, production lines, conveyors and associated equipment. They identify compliance gaps and the actions needed, covering guarding, controls, emergency stops, isolation and safe access. A PUWER Inspection under Regulation 6 checks continued safety, particularly where deterioration could cause danger. For construction contractors, groundworkers and plant hire companies, this typically means inspections of plant such as excavators, dumpers and rollers. Process machinery can also require these inspections. Inspections are additionally required where safety depends on installation and after exceptional events that could jeopardise safety; scope and frequency depend on risk and conditions of use.

Oct 7

3 min read

Carn Engineering provides independent LOLER thorough examinations, PUWER Assessments and PUWER Inspections. Our multi-disciplined Engineer Surveyors support manufacturers, building and construction contractors, groundworks contractors, plant hire companies and other businesses that own, hire or use machinery and plant, across individual premises and multiple sites.

If you use machinery or lifting equipment, understanding LOLER and PUWER regulations helps you arrange the right checks and meet your responsibilities.

LOLER and PUWER Regulations: What’s the Difference and What Does Your Business Need?

PUWER and LOLER meaning: what do they stand for?

· PUWER: Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations - covering the safety and use of work equipment generally.

· LOLER: Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations - adding requirements for lifting equipment and lifting operations.

Which LOLER and PUWER regulations apply in the UK?

In Great Britain the applicable legislation is the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. These are commonly referred to as “PUWER 1998 and LOLER 1998”. They place duties on employers, the self-employed and others who control work equipment.

Do the same LOLER and PUWER regulations apply in Northern Ireland?

Northern Ireland follows the same core approach through its own legislation: the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999. HSENI provides local guidance, and reports should reference the correct NI regulations.

What is the equivalent of LOLER and PUWER in ROI?

The Republic of Ireland has comparable duties under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, as amended, particularly Part 2, Chapter 2: Use of Work Equipment.

What is the difference between LOLER and PUWER?

PUWER covers machinery and work equipment, including suitability, guarding, controls, isolation, maintenance and user training.

LOLER addresses lifting risks, including equipment strength and stability, safe working load markings, planned lifting operations and statutory thorough examinations.

A forklift, telehandler or MEWP will normally fall under both LOLER and PUWER. An excavator used to lift suspended loads can also come within LOLER.

What is the difference between a PUWER Assessment and a PUWER Inspection?

A PUWER Assessment is a comprehensive review of machinery and its use against applicable PUWER requirements. Our assessments are primarily aimed at manufacturers and businesses operating process machinery, production lines, conveyors and associated equipment. They identify compliance gaps and the actions needed, covering guarding, controls, emergency stops, isolation and safe access.

A PUWER Inspection under Regulation 6 checks continued safety, particularly where deterioration could cause danger. For construction contractors, groundworkers and plant hire companies, this typically means inspections of plant such as excavators, dumpers and rollers. Process machinery can also require these inspections. Inspections are additionally required where safety depends on installation and after exceptional events that could jeopardise safety; scope and frequency depend on risk and conditions of use.

Does maintenance replace a LOLER thorough examination?

No. LOLER legally requires thorough examination by a competent person in the specified circumstances, separately from servicing and repairs.

Competence, impartiality and independent judgement are key. HSE guidance says the examiner should be sufficiently independent and impartial and should not undertake routine maintenance of the same equipment. HSA guidance likewise separates statutory examinations from maintenance examinations and requires independent judgement; repairs should not be carried out during the statutory examination.

Carn Engineering carries out independent examinations and does not undertake maintenance or repairs, helping keep our judgement free from conflicts of interest.

Can one Engineer carry out LOLER and PUWER in one visit?

Yes. Our multi-disciplined Engineer Surveyors can carry out LOLER thorough examinations alongside PUWER Inspections and Assessments during the same planned site visit. That means fewer appointments, less time coordinating access and less disruption - whether you operate one site or multiple sites across the UK, Northern Ireland and ROI.

Contact Carn Engineering to discuss your LOLER and PUWER requirements and the equivalent services for your ROI sites.

Email: info@carnengineering.com

Phone: +44 7771 293604