Hydraulic pressure systems are subject to specific legal requirements in the UK. If your system is not compliant, you are exposed to regulatory risk, insurance liability and – most importantly – a serious risk to the safety of the people who work with it. MGR Fluid Engineering carries out compliance surveys to assess your hydraulic system against the relevant legislation and identify what needs to be addressed.
What legislation applies to hydraulic systems?
The primary legislation covering hydraulic pressure systems in the UK is the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR 2000). These regulations apply to systems containing a relevant fluid – including hydraulic oil under pressure – and set out requirements for written schemes of examination, regular inspection by a competent person, defined safe operating limits, maintenance records, and action following a dangerous incident or defect.
Depending on how your system is used, PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) may also apply, covering the safe use and maintenance of work equipment.
The recognised safety standard for hydraulic systems is BS EN ISO 4413:2010 (Hydraulic fluid power – General rules and safety requirements for systems and their components). This standard provides the framework for safe hydraulic system design and operation, and is a key reference point in compliance surveys when assessing whether a system meets the expected safety requirements.
What the compliance survey covers
Written scheme of examination
MGR Fluid Engineering’s compliance survey assesses your hydraulic system against the applicable regulatory requirements. The survey examines five key areas:
Safe operating limits
Whether the system is operating within its defined safe operating limits for pressure and temperature, and whether those limits are documented and understood by the people responsible for the equipment.
Pressure components and safety devices
The condition of pressure-containing components and any safety-critical devices – including pressure relief valves, pressure switches and shutdown interlocks – and whether they are present, correctly set and functioning.
Maintenance records
Whether maintenance records are being kept as required under the regulations, and whether the format and content would satisfy the standard expected in an inspection or audit.
Competent person examination
Whether the system has been examined by a competent person within the required intervals, and whether those examinations have been properly documented as part of the written scheme.
Who needs a compliance survey?
A compliance survey is particularly relevant if your hydraulic system has never been formally assessed against PSSR 2000, if you have taken on responsibility for equipment where the compliance history is unclear, or if your written scheme of examination is out of date or no longer reflects the current system.
It is also important if you are preparing for an insurance inspection or regulatory audit, or if a change to the system has been made and you need to confirm it remains compliant. The regulations apply more widely than many businesses realise – if you are unsure whether your system falls under PSSR 2000, the safest approach is to find out.
What you receive and what happens next
At the end of the survey, you receive a clear written report setting out the findings, any areas of non-compliance, and the steps required to achieve compliance.
If the survey identifies areas of non-compliance or risk, MGR can support you in addressing them – through hydraulic maintenance process formulation to establish the documented routines PSSR 2000 requires, an onsite hydraulic system health survey if a broader assessment of system condition is also needed, or hydraulic training to ensure your team is competent to work safely on the system.
As an independent consultant, MGR’s assessment is objective. The survey is not designed to sell you new equipment or a maintenance contract – it is designed to give you an accurate picture of your compliance position and what you need to do about it.
Arrange a hydraulic compliance survey
Hydraulic System Services
Remote diagnostic support
Pinpoint hydraulic faults without an onsite visit, using live data and expert remote analysis.
Hydraulic health survey
A thorough onsite inspection of your hydraulic system, identifying defects, risks and maintenance priorities.
Maintenance process
Documented, tailored maintenance routines covering inspection, fluid management and component upkeep.
Compliance survey
Assessment of your system against PSSR 2000 and relevant legislation, with a clear written compliance report.