Guide to PUWER regulations
This leaflet provides information about the legal requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) which came into force on 5 December 1998.
It gives a general indication of some of the main requirements of the Regulations. However, it is important that you refer to the Regulations and accompanying Approved Code of Practice1 to familiarise yourself fully with your duties.
A paper produced by HSE for FISA clarifies the application of PUWER regulations to tree winching operations. It states that PUWER applies to winch systems if the load does not leave the ground or if the load is not lifted free from supporting structures. Accordingly, FISA advises that PUWER also applies to jacks used with wedges to assist the fall of a tree against its lean or weighting.