PUWER 1998 Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998: Open learning guidance
(Extract HSE Document)
This information is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence http://www.hse.gov.uk/work-equipment-machinery/training-competence.htm Accessed 14/06/13 Regulation 9 states:
(1) Every employer shall ensure that all persons who use work equipment have received adequate training for purposes of health and safety, including training in the methods which may be adopted when using the work equipment, any risks which such use may entail and precautions to be taken.
(2) Every employer shall ensure that any of his employees who supervises or manages the use of work equipment has received adequate training for purposes of health and safety, including training in the methods which may be adopted when using the work equipment, any risks which such use may entail and precautions to be taken.
The regulation explains the training provision for two distinct groups:
• anyone using work equipment;
• anyone supervising or managing the use of work equipment.
Training for anyone using work equipment
This does not just mean employees. It also includes people who are on the premises with the employer’s permission or by invitation, such as:
• contractors;
• suppliers;
• representatives;
• service engineers;
• technicians.
If they need to use the employer’s equipment, the employer must consider their safety and take steps to ensure that they are given appropriate training.
The guidance supporting regulation 9 looks at the different categories of employees and singles out several groups for special attention
In young people – because of their relative immaturity and unfamiliarity with the working environment, they are especially vulnerable; they need training and supervision appropriate to their needs; induction training to establish good working habits is highlighted as being especially important;
• new employees.
The regulation does not lay down exactly what ‘adequate training’ consists of. However, employers must evaluate the training needs necessary to ensure that various levels of competence for safety and statements of competence should be developed. These can help to highlight where training is necessary to achieve competence to the required levels.
Training for anyone supervising or managing the use of work equipment
As with the training outlined earlier, training for those whose job involves managing or supervising the use of work equipment has to be:
• adequate to ensure competence;
• appropriate to the needs of the organisation.
Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999
(Extract from HSE document)
This information is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence http://www.hse.gov.uk/work-equipment-machinery/training-competence.htm Accessed 14/06/13 Regulation 9 states:
13.-(1) Every employer shall, in entrusting tasks to his employees, take into account their capabilities as regards health & safety.
(2) Every employer shall ensure that his employees are provided with adequate health & safety training-
(a) on their being recruited into the employers undertaking; and
(b) on their being exposed to new or increased risks because of-
(i) their being transferred or given a change of responsibilities within their employers undertaking.
(ii) the introduction of new work equipment into or a change respecting work equipment already in use within the employer’s undertaking.
(iii) the introduction of new technology into the employer’s undertaking or the introduction of a new system of work into or a change respecting a system of work already in use within the employer’s undertaking.
(3) The training referred to in paragraph (2) shall-
(a) be repeated periodically where appropriate;
(b) be adapted to take into account of any new or changed risks to the health and safety of the employees concerned; and
(c) take place during working hours.