PUWER vs LOLER – What’s The Difference?

Allow Blue Turtle to clarify PUWER and LOLER, two crucial pieces of health and safety legislation. We’ll start right at the beginning—what are PUWER and LOLER regulations?

Health and safety at work is something that businesses must get right. Getting it wrong can have a dramatic impact on the safety of your workforce, as well as landing you in hot water with the enforcing authorities. Often, we are approached by businesses that struggle to understand which legislation applies to them. PUWER and LOLER regulations are one area where the rules can be confusing.

PUWER and LOLER are two UK health and safety regulations that apply to work equipment, but they have different scopes of application.

PUWER In Detail

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) form part of UK health and safety legislation. The regulations apply to anyone who owns, operates, or controls work equipment. The list of items covered by PUWER is extensive and includes all types of machinery, appliances, apparatus, tools or installations that are used at work. Virtually every business is within the scope of PUWER regulations.

The purpose of PUWER is to ensure the safety of employees by requiring that all work equipment is suitable, maintained and used correctly. To do this, businesses must:

• Equipment must be suitable for the task
• Equipment must be kept in a safe condition
• Users must be properly trained and supervised
• Dangerous machinery must be guarded and fit with safety mechanisms
• Equipment must have clear safety labels where necessary
• Equipment must be regularly inspected and documented
• Inspection should be carried out at suitable intervals

From power tools to printers, PUWER keeps the workplace running safely.

LOLER Explained

LOLER stands for Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. All types of lifting equipment that are owned, operated or controlled by a company are covered by LOLER. Lifting equipment includes things like cranes, forklifts, mobile hoists, slings and mobile platforms. To comply, businesses must:

• Lifting operations must be planned and supervised by a competent person
• Equipment must be suitable for the task
• Equipment must be positioned to minimise the risk of falling or striking people
• Equipment must be marked with its Safe Working Load (SWL)
• Users must be properly trained and supervised
• Equipment must be regularly inspected and documented
• Inspections should be carried out every 6 months for lifting equipment and accessories used to lift people, and every 12 months for other lifting equipment.

In many cases, lifting equipment is also work equipment, so PUWER regulations also apply.

Key Differences

PUWER and LOLER are vital health and safety regulations, designed to keep workers safe. The rules overlap in many instances, but there are two key differences:

PUWER: All Industries

LOLER: Any workplace using lifting equipment

Regular maintenance and inspection Mandatory thorough examination by a competent person

LOLER only applies to lifting equipment and associated ropes and other ancillaries.

How PUWER and LOLER Work Together

PUWER and LOLER often work together, and many of their requirements overlap. The purpose of both sets of regulations is to ensure that work equipment is safe to use, properly maintained, and used correctly.

All aspects of PUWER apply to lifting equipment used for work. LOLER then adds another layer of regulations specifically for lifting equipment only. Together, they protect workers, prevent accidents and ensure compliance with the Health and Safety Executive.

Many other health and safety mechanisms are used in conjunction with one another to address all types of hazards within the workplace, including COSHH and RPE regulations.

How Blue Turtle Can Help

Blue Turtle is your friendly health and safety expert. Our team of experienced Occupational Hygiene Consultants have assisted a wide variety of businesses nationwide, helping them maintain a healthy, safe working environment. Our scope includes everything you need to know about PUWER and LOLER compliance. We can help with LOLER and PUWER training and risk assessment. Staying compliant means regular, thorough inspections, training, and recordkeeping. During the process, our team offer valuable recommendations and guidance to create a healthier, more productive environment for employees. And our services don’t end there. From HAV risk assessments to air quality testing, Blue Turtle advisers are with you all the way.

Maintain a positive, safe environment and reduce the risk of injury with Blue Turtle Occupational Hygiene Consultants.

Blue Turtle – The missing cog in your business health!