Site Management · Mandatory · Construction

Plant and Equipment Register

The Plant and Equipment Register records all items of plant and machinery on site, including ownership, inspection dates, maintenance schedules, thorough examination certificates, and operator competency details. Under PUWER 1998, all work equipment must be suitable, maintained, and inspected at appropriate intervals. The register provides a single reference point for compliance management.

Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. PUWER 1998 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.

Plant Register — Knowing What's On Site and Whether It's Safe

The plant register is the central inventory of all work equipment on site, from the largest excavator to the smallest power tool. It tracks inspection status, operator competence, and defect management. Without it, the Principal Contractor cannot demonstrate that PUWER and LOLER obligations are being met.

This is particularly important for lifting equipment, where LOLER imposes specific thorough examination requirements. The register identifies expired certificates before work begins — rather than when the HSE inspector asks.

“Expired LOLER thorough examination = the equipment must not be used” — LOLER Regulation 9 requires thorough examination at defined intervals. Operating lifting equipment with an expired certificate is a criminal offence. The register must track expiry dates and alert the site manager before expiry. Weekly review identifies equipment approaching its due date.

Plant Register — What to Record for Each Item

Field	Content
Equipment details	Description, make/model, serial number, registration (if applicable).
Owner/hirer	Who owns or hired the equipment. Supplier contact.
On-site date	When it arrived. When it will leave.
PUWER inspection	Last inspection date. Inspector. Next due. Records location.
LOLER exam (if lifting)	Last thorough examination date. Examiner. Next due. Certificate location.
PSSR (if pressure)	Written Scheme and examination status.
Operator qualifications	Name of authorised operators. CPCS/IPAF card number and expiry.
Current defects	Open defects — description, date raised, status, action.
Pre-use check system	Confirmed: pre-use check system in place for this equipment.

Common Mistakes

Not tracking LOLER examination expiry dates — recording the last exam but not calculating the next due date. A weekly check must confirm no items are approaching or past due. Arrange examination in advance, not on the last possible date.

No defect system — defective equipment remains in use. A defect must be recorded, the equipment tagged 'out of service', repair actioned, and confirmed safe before return. Verbal defects not actioned provide no protection.

Plant arriving without documentation from the hiring company — plant must arrive with current LOLER certificates and PUWER compliance documentation. Check on arrival, enter in register. No documentation = no use until provided.

Operators using equipment they are not trained for — PUWER requires only trained, competent persons. The register should record authorised operators. Using a 360 excavator when only qualified for 180 = stop immediately. The PC is responsible regardless of employer.

Register not reviewed when new plant arrives or leaves — must be a live, current document. When plant arrives: add and confirm documentation. When it leaves: mark off-site. When LOLER is renewed: update. An out-of-date register gives false confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a PUWER inspection and a LOLER thorough examination?

PUWER inspection (Reg 6): a periodic check at suitable intervals, which can be done by an appropriately competent person within the company. LOLER thorough examination (Reg 9): more rigorous, at defined intervals (6 or 12 months), by an independent competent person, with a written report. All lifting equipment is subject to both.

Does a pre-use check count as a PUWER inspection?

No. A pre-use check is a daily operator check — best practice, essential, but not a formal PUWER Reg 6 inspection. The PUWER inspection is more formal, documented, and carried out by a competent person at defined intervals. Both are required — they serve different functions.

What qualifications are CPCS and IPAF?

CPCS: different card types for different plant categories (A12 crawler crane, A40 slinger/signaller, A59 telehandler). Issued after training and assessment. IPAF PAL: for MEWP operators (boom, scissor, mast). Neither are statutory requirements but both are widely required contractually.

Who is responsible for LOLER on hired plant?

The hire company (owner) must ensure a valid certificate when the plant is hired out. The hirer (PC/subcontractor) must confirm it is current before use and must not use plant with an expired certificate. The hire company should provide certificates — the site manager requests and retains them for the register.

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