COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0M(91) 383 final - SYN 322 
Brussels, 9 October 1991 
AMENDED PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
CONCERNING THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 
PROVISION OF SAFETY AND/OR HEALTH SIGNS AT WORK 
9th individual Directive within the 
meaning of Directive 89/391/EEC 
(Presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 149(3) 
of the EEC Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
Following the opinion of the Parliament on a first reading on 10.7.1991, the 
Commission is forwarding to the Council an amended proposal for a Directive 
pursuant to Article 149(3) of the EEC Treaty. The amendments mainly relate to 
four types of provisions: 
one group of amendments is intended to bring certain provisions into line 
with similar provisions in other Directives. This is the case for the use 
of signs in relation to other techniques for collective protection or 
organizational measures, as described in Directive 89/656/EEC, possible 
exemptions, as described in Directive 89/391/EEC and the date of entry into 
force, which is brought into line with that given in a number of other 
individual Directives; 
there is a series of amendments to ensure that the wording used expresses a 
compulsory requirement, which was not the case in a number of the language 
versions; 
certain useful additions have been made to a number of provisions, and a 
small number of signboards relating to high-risk situations have been 
added ; 
finally, some of the requirements have been defined in greater detail, 
though not in excessively technical terms, so that they still remain 
minimum requirements. 
The amended Commission proposal thus has broadly the same structure and aims as 
the original proposal, but develops certain provisions in greater detail. 
SAFETY AND/OR HEALTH SIGNS 15/7/91 
Original Commission proposal Amended proposal (where no new 
wording is given, the original 
proposal remains unchanged 
ARTICLE 3 
General rules 
1. The safety and/or health signs 
laid down in this Directive shall 
be provided where there are risks 
or dangers which have not been 
eliminated by techniques for 
collective protection or by the 
measures, methods or procedures 
used in the organization of work. 
ARTICLE 7 
Exemption? 
1. Taking account of the types of 
activity and size of the 
undertakings concerned, Member 
States may specify sectors of 
activity, categories of 
undertakings or types of 
workstation allowed a total, 
partial or temporary exemption 
from the obligation to use 
luminous and/or acoustic signs as 
provided for in this Directive, 
provided that alternative 
measures are taken which afford 
the same level of protection. 
ARTICLE 12 
Final provisions 
1. Member States shall bring into 
force the laws, regulations and 
administrative provisions 
required to comply with this 
Directive with effect from 1 
January 1994. They shall 
immediately inform the Commission 
thereof. 
ANNEX I 
Paragraph 2, points 2.1 - 2.6 
Paragraph 4 
7. The number of signs or 
signalling devices to be 
installed will depend on the 
extent of the risks or dangers or 
on the zone to be covered and/or 
the number of persons concerned. 1. The safety and/or health signs 
laid down in this Directive shall be 
provided where there are risks which 
cannot be prevented or sufficiently 
limited by techniques for collective 
protection or by the measures, 
methods or procedures used in the 
organization of work. 
1. Taking account of the types of 
activity and size of the undertakings 
concerned, Member States may specify 
categories of undertakings allowed a 
total, partial or temporary exemption 
from the obligation to use luminous 
and/or acoustic signs as provided for 
in this Directive, provided that 
alternative measures are taken which 
afford the same level of protection. 
1. Member States shall bring into 
force the laws, regulations and 
administrative provisions required to 
comply with this Directive with 
effect from 1 January 1993. They 
shall immediately inform the 
Commission thereof. 
The wording in all languages must 
make it clear that these are 
compulsory requirements. 
At the bottom of the table add in the 
appropriate three columns; 
yellow/black or red/white 
identify perimeter of a hazard or 
hazardous area 
hazard or hazardous area 
7. The number and positioning of the 
signs or signalling devices to be 
installed will depend on the extent 
of the risks or dangers or on the 
zone to be covered and/or the number 
of persons concerned. 
- Page 1 -
SAFETY AND/OR HEALTH SiGNS 15/7/91 
Original Commission proposal 
8. Signs requiring some form of 
power must be provided with a 
guaranteed supply. 
9. The triggering of a luminous 
and sound sign indicates when the 
required action should start; the 
sign must be activated for as 
long as it takes to complete the 
act ion. 
11. If the hearing or the sight 
of the workers concerned is 
impaired, including Impairment 
caused by the wearing of personal 
protective equipment, measures 
must be taken to supplement or 
replace the signs concerned. 
ANNEX II 
1.3 The pictograms used may be 
slightly different from or more 
detailed than those shown in 
paragraph 3, provided that they 
convey the same meaning. 
2.1 Signboards are to be 
installed at a suitable height, 
taking account of any obstacles, 
either at the access point to an 
area in the case of a general 
risk, or in the immediate 
vicinity of a specific risk or 
object and in a well-lit and 
easily accessible location. 
3. Signboards to be used. 
3.2 Amended proposal (where no new 
wording Is riven, the original 
proposal remains unchanged 
8. Signs requiring some form of power 
must be provided with a guaranteed 
emergency power supply in the event 
of power failure. 
Luminous and acoustic signs should 
automat ica!!y reset. 
11. If the hearing or the sight of 
the workers concerned is impaired, 
including impairment caused by the 
wearing of personal protective 
equipment, suitable and sufficient 
measures must be taken to supplement 
or replace the signs concerned. 
1.3 The pictograms used may be 
slightly different from or more 
detailed than those shown in 
paragraph 3, provided that they 
convey the same meaning and that any 
differences or adaptations do not 
obscure the meaning. 
2.1 In principle signboards are to be 
installed at a suitable height and 
position in relation to the line of 
sight, taking account of any 
obstacles, either at the access point 
to an area in the case of a general 
risk, or In the immediate vicinity of 
a specific risk or object and in a 
well-lit and easily accessible 
locat ion. 
3. Definition of signboards to be used. 
3.2 Add 
noise 
- Page 2 -
SAFETY AND/OR HEALTH SIGNS 15/7/91 
Original Commission proposal Amended proposal (^here no new 
wording Is given, the original 
proposal remains unchanged 
Add 
fragile roof 
3.3 3.3 Add 
general obi igat ion 
(with supplementary signboard) 
3.4 3.4 Add 
emergency and first aid 
Page 3 -
SAFETY AND/OR HEALTH SIGNS 15/7/91 
Original Commission proposal Amended proposal (where no new 
wording Is given, the original 
proposal remains unchanged 
3.5 
ANNEX V 
1.1 Places where there Is a risk 
of colliding with obstacles, of 
falling or of objects falling 
should be marked with alternating 
yellow and black stripes In 
built-up zones in the undertaking 
to which workers have access 
dur ing their work. 
I 1.3 The yellow and black stripes 
I must be at an angle of 
j approximately 45 and of more or 
less equal size. 
ANNEX VI 
1.1 The light emitted by a sign 
must produce a luminous contrast 
which is appropriate to Its 
environment, in accordance with 
the intended conditions of use of 
the sign, but without producing 
glare. 
ANNEX VII 
is 1.1 have a sound level which 
considerably higher than the 
level of ambient noise, so that 
it is audible without being 
excessive. 3.5 Add 
f ire 
1.1 Places to which workers have 
access during their work and where 
there is a risk of colliding with 
obstacles, of falling or of objects 
falling should be marked with 
alternating yellow and black stripes 
or red and white stripes. 
1.3 The yeilow and black stripes or 
red and white stripes must b© at an 
angle of approximately 45" and of 
more or less equal size. 
1.1 The light emitted by a sign must 
produce a luminous contrast which is 
appropriate to its environment, in 
accordance with the intended 
conditions of use of the sign, but 
without producing giare because of 
excessive luminance or being poorly 
visible because the luminance is 
inadequate. 
2.3 (new) 
Luminous signs indicating serious 
hazards must undergo special checks 
or incorporate a stand-by lamp. 
1.1 have a sound level which is 
considerably higher than the level of 
ambient noise, so that it is audible 
without being excessive or painful. 
- Page 4 
cA^FTY MID/OK HEALTH SIGNS 
Original Commission proposa 15/7/91 
Amended proposal 
wording Is given 
proposai remains , the or l<5 in 
unchanged \m 
1.3 (new) 
if a device can emit both continuous 
and Intermittent acoustic signs, the 
intermittent sign should be used to 
Indicate a higher level of danger or 
a more urgent need for the 
requested/imposed intervention or 
action than indicated by the 
cont inuous sign. 
Add at the bottom of the table In the 
appropriate columns: 
VERTICAL DISTANCE 
The hands Indicate the distance. 
Add at the bottom of the table in the 
appropriate columns 
HORIZONTAL DISTANCE 
The hands indicate the distance. 
- Page 5 

ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(91) 383 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 04 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-91-409-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-75879-1 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg