PUWER and the role of physical guards.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 require employers to ensure work equipment is suitable and that access to dangerous machinery parts is prevented or controlled using the hierarchy in Regulation 11. Fixed guards, other guards or protection devices may form part of that solution, depending on what is practicable and effective.
Standards commonly considered.
| Reference | Typical relevance |
|---|---|
| BS EN ISO 12100 | Risk assessment, risk reduction principles and the machinery-safety design process. |
| BS EN ISO 14120 | General requirements for the design and construction of fixed and movable guards. |
| BS EN ISO 13857 | Safety distances intended to prevent upper and lower limbs reaching hazard zones. |
| BS EN ISO 14119 | Interlocking devices associated with guards, including defeat considerations. |
| BS EN ISO 13849-1/-2 | Design and validation of safety-related parts of control systems. |
| BS EN ISO 13850 | Emergency-stop function principles where applicable. |
Applicable standards and editions change, and machine-specific Type-C standards may take priority for a particular class of equipment. The project must use the standards and legal framework current at the time of assessment.
Questions the guarding design should answer.
- What hazardous movement or process is being controlled?
- Can a person reach over, under, around or through the guard?
- Could material be ejected, or heat, light, liquid or swarf escape?
- Which tasks require access, and how frequently?
- What safe state is required when an access door opens?
- Does the hazard stop before a person can reach it?
- How is reset performed without creating unexpected restart?
- How will the guard be inspected, cleaned and maintained?
Frequently asked questions.
Not by itself. PUWER suitability depends on the equipment, its use, maintenance, controls, information, training and safeguards. A new guard may address part of the overall requirement.
BS EN ISO 14120 provides general requirements for the design and construction of fixed and movable guards. Other standards may apply to safety distances, interlocking, risk assessment, control systems and the specific machine type.
It can, depending on the nature and significance of the modification. The responsible party should assess the regulatory and conformity implications for the specific machine and project.