What should care home staff know about PUWER?

Introduction 
Care homes use a wide range of work equipment every day, from wheelchairs and trolleys to kitchen appliances, bed frames, and maintenance tools. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) apply to all equipment used at work. They require providers to ensure equipment is safe, maintained, and only used by trained staff. Together with LOLER (for lifting equipment) and CQC Regulation 12 (safe care and treatment), PUWER helps protect residents, staff, and visitors from avoidable harm. 

What PUWER requires 

• Suitability. Equipment must be appropriate for the task and environment (e.g., catering kit in kitchens must meet hygiene standards; clinical trolleys must be stable). 

• Maintenance. Equipment must be maintained in good repair and kept safe through regular checks. 

• Inspection. Certain equipment (e.g., mechanical or powered items) must be formally inspected at suitable intervals. 

• Training. Staff must receive adequate training and information before using work equipment. 

• Protection. Where necessary, equipment must have safety devices, guards, or emergency stop features. 

Examples in care homes 

• Beds and mattresses (safe adjustment, electrical parts maintained). 

• Wheelchairs, trolleys and mobility aids (regularly inspected and fit for residents’ needs). 

• Kitchen equipment (mixers, slicers, microwaves, ovens – staff trained and safe to use). 

• Cleaning equipment (vacuum cleaners, carpet washers – cords intact, PAT tested if electrical). 

• Maintenance tools (ladders, drills – used only by competent staff). 

Staff responsibilities 

• Carry out pre-use checks where required. 

• Use equipment only for its intended purpose. 

• Report faults immediately and remove unsafe equipment from service. 

• Follow training and PPE requirements. 

What inspectors look for 

• Evidence of risk assessments covering work equipment. 

• Maintenance and inspection records for relevant equipment. 

• Training logs showing staff are competent to use equipment safely. 

• Safe storage and labelling of equipment. 

Quick wins for managers 

• Keep an equipment register with inspection/maintenance dates. 

• Ensure all electrical kit has PAT testing up to date. 

• Train staff in safe use of common equipment (beds, hoists, kitchen kit). 

• Review PUWER compliance as part of your health & safety audit. 

Key links 

• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) – overview – HSE 

• CQC – Regulation 12: Safe care and treatment 

• HSE – Health and safety in care homes Health and safety in care homes – HSE 

Next step 
Caretutor provides CPD-accredited training on safe moving and handling for care staff, supporting compliance with CQC standards. Courses include Moving and Assisting: Assessments , Moving and Assisting: Practical and Moving and Assisting: Theory.

Click below to download our full Health and Saftey E-Book in a PDF Format.