Last updated: 27.01.2010
Statutory Inspections
Employers are responsible for ensuring all work equipment is maintained in a safe condition.
Some items, such as lifting equipment and pressure equipment, additionally require statutory inspection by a competent person.
Those carrying out statutory inspections should be registered with the Safety Assessment Federation (SAFed) and be UKAS Accredited.
Be aware that on statutory inspection, any notification of category A defects (faults giving rise to immediate danger), are also copied to your area HSE office and will trigger a visit by an inspector.
As with any work equipment, there is a requirement for inspection before use, regular preventive maintenance, in addition, to the statutory inspection requiredfor some items.
Having statutory inspections carried out and then 'fixing what it failed on', merely provides evidence for the prosecution.
The Provision of Use of Work Equipment Regulations requires that work equipment is maintained in a safe condition, failure to do so is a criminal offence.