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Power Press & Hazardous Machinery Equipment Inspection Services

For more information on our range of services,
or to book an inspection, please get in touch.

Power presses are some of the most hazardous pieces of equipment used in industry. Hydraulic presses, injection moulding machines, wood working machines, guillotines – all present risks to your employees and operations if components suffer damage or deteriorate due to wear and tear.

Ensure your machinery is always safe, functional and compliant with legal requirements through our power press inspection services. Our experienced team of engineer surveyors examine and test every part of your equipment to protect the wellbeing of your workforce and the consistency of your processes.

Our expert engineer surveyors can carry out full inspections of your power press machines as a regular service, or
on an ad hoc basis.

  • All elements of in-service inspections for power press/hazardous equipment to ensure continued safe use.


     
  • One-off verifications of stopping performance for guarding systems.
  • Non-destructive testing (NDT).
  • Appointed person training in power press inspections.

Not sure which service is right for you?
Learn more about our service options or contact one of our experts.

Power Press Inspection Services FAQs

Power presses play an essential role in manufacturing, used in the cutting, shaping and forming of materials. According to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) as Applied to Power Presses, a power press is defined as “a press or press brake for the working of metal by means of tools, or for dye proving, which is power driven and which embodies a flywheel and a clutch”.

Examples of other hazardous machinery include:

  • Power Presses exempt from PUWER as Applied to Power Presses
  • Servo Presses
  • Hydraulic/Hybrid Press Brakes
  • Metal and Paper Cutting Guillotines
  • Injection Moulding Machines
  • Hydraulic Presses
  • Wood Working Machines
  • Compacting Machines.
Due to the potential risks these machines pose to users, many types of power press and hazardous machinery include complex safety devices and guarding systems to keep people away from their danger zones.

Our statutory inspections for power presses and hazardous machinery cover all elements to ensure the continued safe use of your equipment by identifying any deterioration or defects, before they become a danger to persons within:

  • All safety devices, controls and guarding systems.
  • The structural integrity of the machine, highlighting any cracks, wear or corrosion in any of the component parts.

As some critical parts may be enclosed within your machines, we are also fully qualified to carry out non-destructive tests on them when they are exposed to evaluate if any hidden defects are present. 

Once we have completed our inspection, we compile and present you with a written report to confirm the condition of your equipment and any necessary repairs.

You can see a full list of our available services here.

If components inside a power press or their safety devices break down or suffer damage, this can put your workforce in danger, lead to loss of production, and leave your company liable for breaches of PUWER.

Regular inspection, servicing and maintenance is vital to prevent these outcomes for your equipment, and are the key to identifying any possible dangers. Our specialist, trained engineer surveyors carry out meticulous inspections of your machinery, to detect any problems and confirm that your equipment is safe or not.

This gives you complete peace of mind that your power presses and hazardous machinery comply with health and safety law, and can be operated safely by your employees.

Yes. Our team is highly experienced and adept at conducting PUWER inspections for all types of power press equipment in any industry.

Our complete knowledge and understanding of power press machine safety guidelines means you can rest assured that we will quickly and accurately identify any signs of damage or risks affecting your equipment.

You no doubt recognise how dangerous power presses can be if components break or their guarding systems fail. Trapping between tools can result in life-changing injuries and amputations for your employees, or require repairs that affect your overall productivity.

Some of the most common defects we find as part of our power press inspections include:

  • damages to protective guards and safety devices
  • broken foot shrouds
  • cracks in critical parts such as the frame, Pitman Screw or the clutch key
  • damages to cables
  • hydraulic leaks.
Yes. If your power press machinery fails to comply with PUWER as Applied to Power Presses, you can face significant fines and possibly even imprisonment should this lead to a serious accident.

A power press inspection must be conducted by a ‘competent person’. This is someone with expert knowledge and understanding of this equipment.

Furthermore, a competent person should not be the same person who performs routine maintenance on your equipment – it should be from an independent, impartial source.

The extensive experience and comprehensive knowledge of our engineer surveyors means we can inspect your equipment to these high standards.

According to HSE, thorough examinations are a systematic and detailed assessment of your power press equipment and its safety-critical parts, carried out by a competent person and compiled in a written report. This report will include:

  • the examination date
  • the date of the next examination
  • any defects found that are or could become a danger to people.

According to PUWER as Applied to Power Presses, your power presses should be inspected every six months or every 12 months, depending on the type of guarding fitted.

Scroll down for our complete list of power press and hazardous machinery inspection frequencies.

Swipe to view more

Plant/Equipment Type Applicable Legislation Periodicity of Inspection
Guard & Protective Devices PUWER 12 months (6 months for machines with photoelectric guards used for finger point protection)
Guillotines (Metal) PUWER 12 months (6 months for machines with photoelectric guards used for finger point protection)
Guillotines (Paper) PUWER 6 months
Injection Moulding Machines
(Moulding Machinery)
PUWER 12 months
Power Presses PUWER
PUWER (as applied to power presses)
12 months for machines with fixed guarding - 6 months for machines with interlock or photoelectric
guards for finger point protection
Press Brakes PUWER
PUWER (as applied to power presses)
6 months (interlock, photoelectric and laser guards)
Wood Working Machines PUWER 12 months
     
We are the largest independent provider of power press inspection services in the UK. With more coverage, engineer surveyors and
capacity than anyone else, you can rely on our team to take care of all different types of power press inspection
with absolute efficiency and attention to detail, so you always comply with PUWER regulations.
Our engineer surveyors are experts in all forms of pressure system inspections, offering the highest level of technical competence. 
A Loyalty Leader for over 13 years, we monitor customer feedback to improve our service and ensure our 31,000+ customers are fairly treated.
We inspect plant and machinery anywhere in the UK and Republic of Ireland, examining over 3.6 million items and visiting over 125,000 locations in 2022. 
To make our customers’ lives easier, our engineering inspection and insurance services can be arranged together.
Our accreditations reassure our customers that we complete tasks safely and with absolute attention to detail.
 
We can provide both one-off inspections and consultancy services, tailored to your specific needs.
Our inspection reports can be compiled on-site, meaning our customers receive our recommendations as soon as possible. 
All our engineer surveyors hold a SAFed passport, certifying that the holder is competent to work safely in all industry sectors.