Maintenance Records
The employer must ensure that where any machinery has a maintenance log, the log is kept up to date.
There is no requirement under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 for employers to have a log. However, the requirement to keep the log up to date will apply in circumstances such as where:
- maintenance records are required for particular types of machinery under other legislation, for example lifting machinery, machinery used to control exposure to hazardous substances etc.;
- a supplier of machiney provides a log to help the employer record his adherence to the manufacturer's maintenance instructions;
- a maintenance record has been introduced as part of the arrangments for making the employer's health and safety policy effective as regards machinery risks.
The requirement applies not only where there is a maintenance log for machinery provided for use by his employees, but also where there is a maintenance log for machinery used by his employees in the course of work.
The requirement does not apply to equipment that is not machinery, although other legislation includes requirements to keep maintenance records for other equipment (for example, lifting tackle, equipment used to control exposure to hazardous substances, and the like). However, where health and safety management can be improved by having maintenance records for particular types of equipment, employers should consider:
- keeping maintenance records for equipment which they provide;
- arrangements as regards maintenance records for equipment provided by others, such as equipment provided by employees for their own use, or equipment which landlords or co-tenants provide for shared use, etc.