Risk Assessment & PUWER Reg 3: Using ISO 12100 to Structure Your Approach

Relevant PUWER Regulation: Regulation 3 – Duty to Ensure Work Equipment Conforms

Summary:

Risk assessments are too often a compliance tick-box. Done properly, they are powerful decision-making tools that identify, prioritize, and help eliminate hazards. ISO 12100 gives a structured framework to move from hazard spotting to actual risk control. moving through this detailed process has the additional benefit of highlighting failure modes through the life cycle to put towards an FMEA.

Deeper Insight:

ISO 12100 guides you to:

• Identify hazards at all lifecycle stages and interactions with the machine
  

• Estimate risk based on severity and frequency
  

• Choose the most effective risk reduction measures
  

This approach supports the hierarchy of control: eliminate > substitute > engineer > inform > PPE.

Strategic Insight:

Risk assessment should be the engine of your safety and maintenance strategy, not a static document. It links PUWER compliance to engineering, operations, and workforce trust.