Mobile shelving is classed as work equipment under PUWER 1998. That means a legal duty on the dutyholder to keep it safe — including statutory inspections. Here's what's required.
What PUWER says about mobile shelving
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) place a legal duty on the employer or dutyholder to ensure work equipment is suitable, safe, maintained and inspected. Mobile shelving — manual, mechanical-assist or powered — is work equipment under PUWER.
Regulations 5 (maintenance), 6 (inspection), 8 (information & instructions) and 9 (training) all apply directly. Records of inspections must be kept and available to HSE inspectors on request.
What a PUWER inspection covers
A competent-person PUWER inspection of mobile shelving covers: rails (level, secure, undamaged); carriages (wheel wear, bearings, anti-tip); drive trains (handle gearing or motor / electrics); safety locks (aisle lock, end-of-run anti-collision, anti-tip); structural integrity of bays and shelves; load labelling; and operator instructions.
We issue a written report with a clear pass / pass-with-remedials / fail outcome and a stickered hand-over certificate showing next inspection due date.
How often must it be inspected?
PUWER doesn't specify an exact frequency — it requires inspection 'at suitable intervals'. UK industry best practice (and our recommendation) is annually for normal-use systems and 6-monthly for heavily-used or powered systems. After any significant impact, modification or relocation, an out-of-cycle inspection is required.
We offer one-off PUWER inspections nationwide and bundled planned-maintenance contracts that include statutory PUWER cover plus preventative servicing.