Work equipment

The term ‘work equipment’ is very broad and includes any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool, or installation for use at work (whether exclusively or not). It also includes equipment that staff provide for their own use at work. Diverse examples include hammers, knives, ladders, drills, photocopiers, lifting equipment, access equipment like ladders, and motor vehicles.

Depending on the type of work equipment, accidents can result in several ways. For example, from contact with moving parts, electrical failures, or operator error.

You may need to make sure the work equipment is:

• suitable for its intended use
• safe for use, being properly maintained and inspected (if appropriate) to check it is correctly installed and does not deteriorate over time
• used only by people who have received adequate information, instruction, and training in its use
• provided with any necessary safeguards and controls (for example, guards, emergency stop devices, clearly visible markings, warning devices, etc.)
• used by staff who have been provided with adequate information and training on what they need to do.

You may also need to document your arrangements for preventing injury from working equipment and keep certain records.