This section aims to make you think about hazards that may arise from work equipment, considerations when selection and purchasing new equipment, how to prevent injuries and carrying out associated assessments, and finally routine monitoring and maintenance.

Work equipment includes machinery; tools or equipment used by an employee at work e.g. hammers, knives, machinery, lifting equipment, computers, photocopiers, ladders, fork-lift trucks and even your kettle!

All such work equipment comes under the requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Lifting equipment also has to meet the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. The regulations apply to employers and the self-employed.