Rank: New forum user 
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One of our more diligent Safety Reps has recently identified that we don't have written instructions for all work equipment. The specific item he picked up on is a water cooler that's used in one of our offices, which is in my opinion covered by PUWER. However, I don't think that Reg 8 is applicable as PUWER says that written instructions are required "where appropriate" and I would argue that a reasonable person does not need a written instruction to safely get a cup of water from a dispenser (we separately cover the manual handling issues wrt lifting the water bottle onto the dispenser and have a slips and trips policy and training so people understand our expectations if they spill any water).
Does anyone have a definition they use at work for when Reg 8 doesn't apply that they could send to me? I know this sort of comes down to asking for a definition of common sense, but I can't use the term "common sense" in our policy! The only thoughts I've had so far are to link it to the severity of hazard or likelihood or occurrence i.e. if either of these are nil or very low then there's no need to provide written instructions.
Many thanks,
Peter
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Peter, I actually think that you’ve already answered your own question. There are any number of items that come under the definition of work equipment, but I would suggest that it would be a nonsense to provide a written instruction for a great many of these, where the risk of serious injury or ill health is negligible.
I wonder if your safety rep is more concerned about the changing of the water bottles, cleaning routine etc rather than how someone would actually dispense themselves a cup of water. If not, I suggest that both you and him/her have FAR bigger fish to fry and that spending any amount of time on this would be perverse. Both you and he/she should concentrate your efforts on those things, activities etc that have genuine potential to cause real harm.
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Rank: Super forum user
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tOTALLY AGREE WITH CANOPENER. nEXT THING YOU WILL BE ASSESSING A RUBBER AND PENCIL SHARPNER
sbh
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Rank: Super forum user
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Whoops sorry about the capitals
SBH
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Rank: Forum user
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I enjoyed the capitals. Good point well made.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Ben Elton must be loving this site!
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