PUWER Guarding Surveys

Yes, modified and legacy equipment is often where the biggest guarding issues exist. Older equipment may have been built to different standards, while modifications can compromise original guarding. We assess equipment regardless of age or manufacturer, examining current condition and compliance against current PUWER requirements - the regulations apply equally to 40-year-old lathes and brand new machinery. We understand the challenges of legacy equipment where replacement isn't economically feasible, and provide pragmatic advice on bringing older machines up to acceptable standards. For modified equipment, we assess whether changes have introduced new risks or compromised existing guards, and whether risk assessments and documentation reflect the current state of the machine.

We provide clear, prioritised recommendations based on risk severity. Critical issues that present immediate serious injury risk are flagged for urgent action. Lower-risk findings can often be addressed over a phased program. We don't just identify problems - we explain what's required to fix them, whether that's new guards, guard modifications, interlock upgrades, or procedural changes. We can recommend guard suppliers if you need them, though we're not guard manufacturers ourselves. Our role is to give you the knowledge to make informed decisions and demonstrate due diligence. Many clients use our findings to justify safety budgets internally and to show HSE or insurers that they're taking machinery safety seriously and addressing issues systematically.

Survey duration depends on the number and complexity of machines being assessed. A focused survey of 10-15 pieces of equipment typically takes one day on site. Larger facilities with extensive machinery may require 2-3 days or multiple visits. We work efficiently to minimize disruption to your operations, often conducting assessments during production so we can observe equipment under normal operating conditions. You'll usually receive your report within 5-7 working days of the site visit, including photographs, risk ratings, and prioritised recommendations. For time-sensitive projects or urgent compliance needs, we can often provide interim findings within 48 hours with the full report following shortly after.

We assess all aspects of machinery guarding compliance against PUWER 1998 requirements. This includes guard adequacy for dangerous parts, interlock functionality, emergency stops, guard fixing security, access points, control systems, and guards' condition. We examine whether guards prevent access to dangerous parts, whether they're properly maintained, and whether modifications have compromised safety. We check for makeshift guards, missing guards, or guards that have been disabled or bypassed. The survey covers fixed guards, interlocked guards, adjustable guards, and automatic guards. We also review isolation procedures for maintenance and assess whether operating procedures support safe use. You'll receive a detailed report with photographs and specific equipment locations for each finding.

PUWER stands for the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, which require all work equipment to be safe and properly maintained. Guarding surveys assess whether dangerous parts of machinery are adequately protected to prevent injuries. You need a PUWER guarding survey if you operate machinery with moving parts - pillar drills, lathes, conveyors, mixers, presses, or any equipment where operators could contact dangerous parts. Inadequate guarding is a major cause of serious injuries including amputations, crushing, and entanglement. HSE prosecutions for guarding failures regularly result in six-figure fines. A survey identifies non-compliances before HSE does, giving you time to fix problems properly.