PUWER

[grim72]

I was reading about the tragic death of this employee who was crushed to death by badly stacked BRICKS and that the pallets used to store them on were in poor condition.
http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/n ... ked-bricks" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Having read the article it made we query whether pallets are covered by PUWER - it's not something I remember seeing mentioned under PUWER before (I've seen plenty queries about pallet trucks under PUWER but never the pallets themselves)?

I just wondered what people's thoughts were and if anyone has pallets drawn up as part of their inspection/maintennance regime?

[grim72]

I didnt mean to put the emoji in that post but not sure how to remove it (probably not appropriaite considering the subject matter) but it automatically replaced the text for b-ricks

[bernicarey]

I didnt mean to put the emoji in that post but not sure how to remove it (probably not appropriaite considering the subject matter) but it automatically replaced the text for b-ricks

One of the small foibles of the forum, BRICKS in caps won't do it, but " b r i c k s " in lower case does!

But to your question, Pallets are PUWER, because just about anything is; the problem is that they are so plentiful and have such a nomadic existence. I think all you can do is ensure that you use a serviceable pallet when you load it and if being used for long term storage, be aware of environment considerations.

It's a bit like using any tool; as an engineer, I would never use a metal/stone working chisel that has a significant amount of mushrooming of the head, but there's a judgement call as to when it's too much.

[lisab1306]

Evening all,

Please can you explain why a pallet be covered under PUWER? The pallet truck & racking need inspections but
Really don't see why a pallet would be classed as work equipment?

Thanks!

[bernicarey]

Simples (as the meercat might say...)

PUWER 1998 s2(1)


“work equipment” means any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for use at work (whether exclusively or not);
and related expressions shall be construed accordingly.

So practically anything you use at work is work equipment.
When something isn't covered by it's own regs, such as LOLER, DSE etc, you can bet it's PUWER.

In the ACOP it states that PUWER "covers almost any equipment used at work," and gives examples of the things that aren't covered as being

The following are not classified as work equipment:
(a) livestock;
(b) substances (for example acids, alkalis, slurry, cement, water);
(c) structural items (for example walls, stairs, roofs, fences);
(d) private cars.

[sharprc]

I guess thinking about it, pallets should be subject to examination prior to being put into use... especially if they're being used as part of a racking system.

Never thought about it this way before though...

[grim72]

That was my thinking too. We do carry out racking inspections and the pallets are included within that (along with general housekeeping/lighting of the aisles etc) but I know there are areas where pallets with items on are stored in other areas and as such wouldn't fall within the same inspection regime as those on the racking. Food for thought if nothing else :-)

[Fleur]

Good piece of case law for PUWER is Knowles v Liverpool City Council 1993 where a paving slab was deemed to be work equipment under PUWER regs