PUWER inspections in care homes play a critical role in resident safety, staff protection, and regulatory compliance. Although many managers understand LOLER requirements well, PUWER often causes confusion. As a result, gaps appear during inspections, paperwork goes missing, and avoidable risks creep into daily operations.

This guide explains what PUWER inspections mean for care homes, which equipment falls under PUWER, how inspections work in practice, and how managers can stay compliant without unnecessary stress.

What Is PUWER and Why It Matters in Care Homes

PUWER stands for the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. These regulations require employers to ensure that work equipment remains safe, suitable, and properly maintained at all times.

In care homes, staff rely heavily on equipment every day. Hoists, beds, trolleys, pressure washers, cleaning machinery, and even smaller tools all support resident care. Because staff use this equipment frequently, any failure increases the risk of injury, safeguarding incidents, and enforcement action.

Therefore, PUWER inspections matter because they:

  • Protect staff from avoidable injury

  • Reduce equipment failure and downtime

  • Demonstrate compliance during inspections

  • Support safer resident care

According to guidance from the Health and Safety Executive on PUWER requirements, employers must ensure work equipment remains suitable, properly maintained, and safe for use at all times.

What Equipment Requires PUWER Inspection in Care Homes

Many care homes underestimate how much equipment PUWER covers. Unlike LOLER, which focuses on lifting equipment, PUWER applies to almost all work equipment.

This includes:

  • Electric profiling beds

  • Shower chairs and bath lifts

  • Cleaning machines and floor scrubbers

  • Laundry equipment such as washers and dryers

  • Catering equipment used by staff

  • Medication trolleys and service carts

  • Adjustable workstations and hoists (alongside LOLER)

Because staff use this equipment during normal duties, PUWER applies regardless of whether the equipment lifts people or loads.

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PUWER vs LOLER: Understanding the Difference

Managers often ask whether PUWER replaces LOLER or duplicates inspections. In reality, both regulations work together.

LOLER focuses on lifting operations and equipment that lifts people or loads. PUWER focuses on safe condition, suitability, and use of work equipment.

For example:

  • A mobile hoist requires LOLER inspection for lifting safety

  • The same hoist also requires PUWER checks for controls, stability, and general condition

Therefore, care homes must comply with both regulations, not choose between them.

If you want a deeper breakdown of lifting-related inspections, this guide to LOLER sling inspection requirements explains how sling checks fit into overall compliance.

How Often PUWER Inspections Should Take Place

PUWER does not specify fixed inspection intervals. Instead, it requires inspections to happen as often as necessary to remain safe.

In practice, care homes usually follow a layered approach:

  • Daily or pre-use checks by staff

  • Regular in-house inspections recorded internally

  • Formal inspections by competent persons where appropriate

High-use equipment requires more frequent checks. Older equipment also needs closer monitoring. As a result, inspection frequency should reflect risk rather than convenience.

Who Can Carry Out PUWER Inspections in Care Homes

PUWER inspections must be carried out by competent persons. Competence depends on training, experience, and knowledge of the equipment.

In many care homes:

  • Staff complete basic visual and operational checks

  • Managers oversee inspection schedules

  • External specialists support higher-risk equipment

Although staff can perform routine checks, managers must ensure inspections remain consistent, documented, and auditable.

For lifting equipment, many homes rely on structured inspection processes such as this LOLER inspection checklist for care homes, which supports clear compliance records.

What PUWER Inspectors Look for During Visits

During inspections, regulators and auditors focus on systems, not just equipment condition.

They expect to see:

  • Evidence of regular inspections

  • Clear maintenance records

  • Staff training documentation

  • Safe systems of work

  • Prompt action on defects

If inspectors find missing records or unclear responsibilities, they often raise concerns even when equipment appears safe.

Therefore, documentation plays a crucial role in PUWER compliance.

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Common PUWER Failures in Care Homes

Despite best intentions, many care homes fall short in predictable ways.

Common issues include:

  • Assuming LOLER covers all equipment

  • Failing to record in-house inspections

  • Using damaged equipment while awaiting repair

  • Inconsistent staff training

  • Missing maintenance histories

Because these failures rarely cause immediate incidents, they often remain hidden until inspections occur.

How PUWER Fits Into Infection Control and Staff Safety

PUWER compliance supports more than legal obligations. It directly impacts infection control and staff wellbeing.

For example:

  • Poorly maintained cleaning machines spread contamination

  • Faulty beds increase manual handling risks

  • Damaged laundry equipment compromises hygiene

By keeping equipment safe and functional, care homes reduce risks across multiple compliance areas simultaneously.

Record Keeping: The Backbone of PUWER Compliance

Records prove that inspections happen and issues get resolved. Without records, compliance becomes impossible to demonstrate.

Effective PUWER records should show:

  • Inspection dates

  • Equipment identification

  • Findings and actions

  • Repair completion

  • Sign-off by responsible staff

Structured record keeping also supports LOLER obligations. This resource on LOLER record keeping tips for care homes explains how consistent documentation strengthens inspection readiness.

Preparing for PUWER Inspections With Confidence

Preparation reduces stress and improves outcomes. Rather than scrambling before inspections, successful care homes embed PUWER into daily routines.

To prepare effectively:

  • Maintain a central equipment register

  • Schedule inspections consistently

  • Train staff on pre-use checks

  • Address defects promptly

  • Store records securely

When inspectors arrive, managers can demonstrate control, competence, and commitment to safety.

PUWER and CQC Expectations

Although PUWER sits under health and safety law, CQC inspectors increasingly expect strong equipment governance.

They look for:

  • Safe care environments

  • Reduced risk to residents

  • Effective leadership oversight

As a result, PUWER compliance supports both health and safety inspections and CQC outcomes.

Final Thoughts: PUWER Inspections Protect Everyone

PUWER inspections in care homes protect staff, residents, and organisations alike. When managers understand the scope of PUWER, implement consistent inspections, and maintain clear records, compliance becomes manageable rather than overwhelming.

Most importantly, strong PUWER systems reduce risk long before inspectors arrive. As equipment remains safe, care improves naturally and confidently.

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PUWER Inspection in Care Homes FAQs

Yes, PUWER applies to almost all work equipment used by staff in a care home. This includes both powered and non-powered equipment, regardless of size or complexity. As long as staff use the equipment during their duties, PUWER applies.

PUWER does not set fixed inspection intervals. Instead, inspections must happen as often as necessary to remain safe. In practice, care homes usually carry out daily visual checks, regular in-house inspections, and scheduled maintenance reviews based on risk, usage, and equipment age.

The care home operator or employer holds legal responsibility for PUWER compliance. Managers usually oversee inspection systems, while trained staff complete routine checks. For higher-risk or complex equipment, competent external providers may support inspections.

PUWER covers the general safety, suitability, and maintenance of work equipment. LOLER focuses specifically on lifting equipment and lifting operations. Many items, such as hoists, fall under both regulations, meaning care homes must comply with PUWER and LOLER simultaneously.

Yes, written records play a vital role in demonstrating PUWER compliance. Although PUWER does not explicitly mandate records in all cases, inspectors expect clear evidence of inspections, defect reporting, repairs, and maintenance. Without records, care homes struggle to prove compliance.

Missed PUWER inspections increase the risk of equipment failure, staff injury, and enforcement action. During inspections, regulators often issue improvement notices or raise compliance concerns when records are missing or inspections appear inconsistent.

Although PUWER falls under health and safety law, CQC inspectors expect care homes to manage equipment safely. Poor PUWER systems can negatively impact CQC outcomes, particularly around safe care, leadership, and governance.

Yes, staff can carry out routine PUWER checks if they receive appropriate training. However, managers must ensure staff understand what to check, how to report defects, and when to remove equipment from use. Competence remains essential at every level.

Common PUWER failures include damaged electrical cables, faulty controls, unstable equipment, missing guards, and poorly maintained cleaning machinery. These issues often appear during inspections when routine checks lack consistency.

Care homes stay compliant by maintaining an up-to-date equipment register, scheduling regular inspections, training staff effectively, acting quickly on defects, and keeping clear records. When these systems work together, PUWER compliance becomes manageable and sustainable.