PUWER covers everything else
LOLER applies to equipment that lifts. PUWER applies to all work equipment, including the items that don't lift people.
PUWER inspections
PUWER inspections for care and hospital equipment
Regular inspections of the work equipment that LOLER doesn't cover, from wheelchairs and commodes to trolleys and shower chairs, with a record for every item so you can show it's maintained.
- Wheelchairs, commodes and shower chairs
- Trolleys, walking aids and patient chairs
- Inspected, recorded and tagged
- Combined with LOLER on one visit
From £35 + VAT per item
- 40+ years' experienceServicing for the NHS and private sector
- All makes and modelsMulti-brand engineers, authentic parts
- Full electronic reportsAn audit trail for every asset, every visit
- DBS-checked engineersUniformed, ID-carrying and fully trained
Why PUWER matters
Every piece of work equipment has a duty attached
Care homes and hospitals have far more equipment than hoists. PUWER is the regulation that covers the rest of it.
Inspect where it can deteriorate
Equipment that wears with use, such as wheelchairs and commodes, must be inspected at suitable intervals so faults are caught in time.
Records you can show
PUWER expects the results of inspections to be recorded and kept. Our reports give you that record for every item.
What PUWER requires
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) apply to any equipment used at work. In a care setting that includes wheelchairs, commodes, shower chairs, walking aids, trolleys and patient chairs. The key duties are that equipment is:
- Suitable for the way it's used
- Maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair
- Inspected at suitable intervals where it's exposed to conditions that cause deterioration, so faults are found before they become dangerous
- Recorded: the results of inspections must be recorded and kept until the next inspection
PUWER doesn't set a fixed interval. The right frequency depends on the type of equipment and how heavily it's used. Most care settings inspect this equipment once or twice a year.
PUWER and LOLER: what's the difference?
LOLER is specific to lifting equipment, and sets a fixed six-monthly examination for anything that lifts people. PUWER applies to all work equipment, including lifting equipment. So a hoist is covered by both, while a wheelchair or shower chair is covered by PUWER alone. We cover both on the same visit, so every item in the building is accounted for. Read more in our guide to LOLER vs PUWER.
Equipment we inspect
- Wheelchairs, transit chairs and specialist seating
- Commodes and commode shower chairs
- Shower chairs and shower stools
- Walking frames, rollators and walking sticks
- Patient trolleys, dressing trolleys and drug trolleys
- Riser recliner chairs and patient chairs
- Over-bed tables, transfer boards and turntables
When something fails
We tag the item as out of use, record the fault and give you a clear quote for repair or replacement. Many repairs, such as brakes, castors and footplates, can be done on the same visit.
PUWER inspections in Hampshire and across the UK
From our base in Lee-on-the-Solent we carry out PUWER inspections for care homes, nursing homes, hospitals, schools and day centres across Portsmouth, Southampton, Fareham, Gosport, Winchester, Basingstoke and the Isle of Wight, as well as West Sussex and Dorset, and for contract clients across the UK.
How it works
From first call to compliant equipment
- 1
Free on-site survey
We visit, audit your equipment and asset numbers, and look for savings against your current supplier.
- 2
Clear, itemised quote
A quote for exactly the equipment and service frequency you need. No hidden costs and no minimum number of assets.
- 3
Scheduled visits
Quarterly, six-monthly or annual visits. Engineers carry spare parts so most faults are fixed first time.
- 4
Reports and asset records
Every item barcoded and logged, with a full electronic report after each visit, ready for audits and inspections.
Also from Shepherd
One supplier for all your equipment
LOLER Hoist Inspections
Six-monthly LOLER thorough examinations for patient hoists, stand aids and slings, with a written report for each item. From £45 + VAT per hoist. UK-wide.
Find out morePAT Testing for Care Homes
PAT testing and electrical safety testing for care homes, nursing homes and hospitals, including medical electrical equipment. From £1.50 + VAT per item.
Find out moreAsset Tagging & Reporting
Barcode asset tagging for care and hospital equipment, with location records, service history and electronic reports after every visit.
Find out moreFAQs
PUWER FAQs
How often is a PUWER inspection needed?
PUWER doesn't set a fixed interval. Equipment that's exposed to wear or deterioration must be inspected at suitable intervals, based on the type of equipment and how it's used. In care settings that's usually every six or twelve months.
How much does a PUWER inspection cost?
PUWER inspections start from £35 + VAT per item, and the price per item drops for larger numbers or when combined with LOLER and servicing on the same visit. You'll get an itemised quote first.
Does a hoist need a PUWER inspection as well as LOLER?
A hoist is covered by both sets of regulations, but the six-monthly LOLER thorough examination, together with regular servicing, normally covers the PUWER duties for that hoist too.
Do PUWER inspections have to be recorded?
Yes. Where inspection is required, the results must be recorded and kept until the next inspection. Our electronic reports provide that record for every item.
Keep every bed, hoist and chair safe, compliant and working
Book a free on-site survey or talk to our team about servicing, LOLER inspections, repairs and equipment supply.