Ref PUWER 1998, regs 4 to 6Checked November 2026
PUWER Inspection
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 cover all work equipment, from a bench drill to a forklift. They require it to be suitable, maintained in a safe condition, and inspected where its safety depends on how it is installed or where it is exposed to conditions that cause deterioration (regulation 6).
For lifting equipment the two sets of regulations work together. LOLER covers the lifting function in detail; PUWER covers everything else about the machine. That is why a forklift or hoist examination is often quoted as "LOLER and PUWER".
- Applies to
- All work equipment
- Inspection interval
- Set by riskNo fixed statutory period
- With a LOLER visit
- £20 to £60extra per item, ex VAT
- Stand-alone visit
- £150 to £250ex VAT
Part 1
When is a PUWER inspection needed?
- Where safety depends on installation: a machine fixed in place, guarding fitted on site, a powered door or gate.
- Where conditions cause deterioration that could lead to danger: weather, vibration, heavy use, corrosive environments.
- After major repair, modification or a long period out of use, before it goes back into service.
- For lifting equipment, the parts LOLER does not cover: a truck’s brakes and steering, a hoist’s battery and wheels.
PUWER inspection fees
| Item | Typical fee |
|---|---|
| Added to a LOLER examination Per item, same visit | £20 to £60 |
| Combined LOLER and PUWER, forklift First truck on a visit | £120 to £300 |
| Workshop machinery survey Per day on site, typical | £450 to £750 |
Excluding VAT. PUWER inspections have no fixed format, so ask each examiner to quote against the same equipment list and scope.
Part 2
LOLER and PUWER side by side
- What they cover
- PUWER: all work equipment. LOLER: lifting equipment and lifting operations, on top of PUWER.
- The check
- PUWER: inspection where needed. LOLER: thorough examination at fixed intervals or under a written scheme.
- Intervals
- PUWER: set by risk assessment and the maker’s instructions. LOLER: 6 or 12 months, or a scheme.
- Records
- PUWER: a record of inspection, kept until the next one. LOLER: a report with the Schedule 1 details.
- Maintenance
- PUWER regulation 5 requires equipment to be maintained in efficient working order; LOLER relies on it.
- Who
- Both need a competent person. For LOLER, the examiner should be independent of maintenance.
Need lifting kit checked under both? Tell us what you have and we will find one examiner to do both.
Request an examinationPart 3
Getting LOLER and PUWER done together
Build the equipment register
before bookingEvery item, its make, serial or asset number, safe working load, location and the date of its last report. Examiners price from the register, so a complete one gets you comparable quotes.
Ask for a combined scope
when requesting quotesSay which items need LOLER, which need PUWER only, and which need both, so prices are comparable.
The thorough examination
on the dayThe competent person examines each item, and tests it where they judge a test is needed. A clean item with no defects usually takes well under an hour.
One set of records
within 28 daysLOLER reports for lifting items, PUWER inspection records for the rest, all with next due dates.
Questions duty holders ask
What is the difference between LOLER and PUWER?
PUWER applies to all work equipment and requires it to be suitable, maintained and inspected where needed. LOLER adds specific duties for lifting equipment, including thorough examination at set intervals.
Is a PUWER inspection a legal requirement?
Where safety depends on installation conditions, or where conditions could cause dangerous deterioration, yes: regulation 6 of PUWER requires inspection by a competent person and a record of it.
How often is a PUWER inspection?
There is no fixed statutory interval. It depends on the equipment, how it is used and the maker’s instructions. Many organisations line it up with the LOLER cycle for convenience.
Does a forklift need LOLER and PUWER?
Yes. LOLER covers the mast, chains, forks and lifting hydraulics; PUWER covers brakes, steering, tyres and the rest. A combined thorough examination covers both.
Who can carry out a PUWER inspection?
A competent person with the knowledge and experience to spot defects in that kind of equipment. It can be in-house, though an outside examiner is common for lifting equipment.
Where our information comes from
Fee bands are our own reading of UK examiners’ published price lists and guides (2024 to 2026), which we do not name. Rules come from the regulations and HSE guidance below.
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/2306), legislation.gov.uk
- HSE: Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)
- HSE L22: Safe use of work equipment, Approved Code of Practice and guidance
- Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/2307), legislation.gov.uk
- HSE L113: Safe use of lifting equipment, Approved Code of Practice and guidance
Request a LOLER and PUWER inspection
Three short steps: where the equipment is, what it is, and how to reach you. About two minutes.
Thanks, your enquiry is in.
- We will email or call to tell you which lifting equipment examiner covers your sites and your kind of equipment.
- Your details reach that firm only if you say yes.
- They agree the equipment list and dates with you and give you a written fee. No marketing from us, ever.