7. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32/7 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
COMMISSION 
Proposal for a Council Directive concerning minimum requirements for improving the safety 
and health protection of workers in the extractive industries 
COM(90) 663 final — SYN 321 
(Submitted by the Commission on 21 December 1990) 
(91 /C 32/07) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community and in particular Article 118a 
thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
In cooperation with the European Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee, 
Whereas Article 118a of the Treaty provides that the 
Council shall adopt, by means of directives, minimum 
requirements for encouraging improvements, especially 
in the working environment, to ensure a better level of 
protection of the safety and health of workers; 
Whereas, under the terms of that Article, those directives 
are to avoid imposing administrative, financial and legal 
contraints in a way which would hold back the creation 
and development of small and medium-sized under­
takings; 
Whereas the improvement of workers' safety, hygiene 
and health at work is an objective which should not be 
subordinated to purely economic considerations; 
Whereas Council Directive 89/654/EEC of 30 
November 1989 concerning the minimum safety and 
health requirements for the workplace (') does not cover 
the extractive industries; Whereas the extractive industries are higher than average 
risk activities; 
Whereas the oil and gas sector of these industries is 
deemed to be of particular importance for introducing 
improvements in the protection of the safety and health 
of workers; 
Whereas this Directive is an individual Directive within 
the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Council Directive 
89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of 
measures to encourage improvements in the safety and 
health of workers at work (2); whereas, therefore, the 
provisions of the said Directive are fully applicable to the 
domain of the extractive industries without prejudice to 
more restrictive and/or specific provisions contained in 
this Directive; 
Whereas this Directive constitutes a practical aspect of 
the realization of the social dimension of the internal 
market, in respect of the extractive industries as defined 
by Council Decision 74/326/EEC of 27 June 1974 on 
the extension of the responsibilities of the Mines Safety 
and Health Commission to all mineral-extracting 
industries (3); 
Whereas it is considered appropriate that the scope of 
activities comprised in the present Directive be identical 
with the scope of activities concerned by Decision 
74/326/EEC; 
0) OJ No L 393, 30. 12. 1989, p. 1. O OJ No L 183, 29. 6. 1989, p. 1. 
(3) OJ No L 185, 9. 7. 1974, p. 18. 
No C 32/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 7. 2. 91 
Whereas according to Decision 74/326/EEC the surface 
back-up facilities of mines and quarries which are not 
essential to prospecting, extraction in the strict sense of 
the word, or preparation of the extracted materials for 
sale, are not to be considered extractive industries, and 
are therefore within the scope of the Directive 
89/654/EEC, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 
SECTION I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
Article 1 
Subject 
(1) This Directive, which is an individual Directive 
within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 
89/391/EEC, lays down minimum requirements for the 
safety and health protection of workers in the extractive 
industries as defined in Article 2. 
(2) The provisions of Directive 89/391/EEC are fully 
applicable to the domain referred to in paragraph 1, 
without prejudice to more restrictive and/or specific 
provisions contained in this Directive. 
Article 2 
Definitions 
For the purpose of this Directive: 
— 'Extractive industries' shall be taken to mean the acti­
vities of prospecting and of extraction in the strict 
sense of the word as well as of preparation of 
extracted materials for sale but not the processing of 
such extracted materials, 
— 'workplace' means the whole area intended to house 
workstations in which work is carried out including 
the immediate and ancillary activities and facilities of 
the extractive industries, including sanitary 
equipment, rest-rooms and accommodation where 
provided to which workers have access in the course 
of their work. SECTION II 
OBLIGATIONS OF THE EMPLOYER 
Article 3 
General obligations 
(1) To safeguard the safety and health of workers, the 
employer shall take necessary measures to ensure that: 
— workplaces are designed, constructed, equipped, 
commissioned, operated and maintained in such a 
way that workers can perform the work assigned to 
them without danger to themselves and/or others, 
— responsible supervision is present during operation of 
manned workplaces, 
— work involving a special risk is entrusted only to 
suitably qualified staff and carried out in accordance 
with the instructions given, 
— all safety instructions are comprehensible to the 
workers concerned, 
— appropriate first aid facilities are provided, 
— any relevant safety exercises are performed at regular 
intervals. 
(2) The employer shall report forthwith to the 
responsible authorities fatal and serious occupational 
accidents and dangerous occurrences. 
Article 4 
Protection against fire, explosions and health endangering 
atmospheres 
The employer shall take measures appropriate to the 
nature of the operation to protect against, detect and 
combat the starting and propagation of fires and 
explosions as well as the occurrence of explosive and/or 
health endangering atmospheres. 
Article 5 
Escape and rescue facilities 
To ensure that workers have adequate opportunities for 
leaving all workplaces promptly and safely in the event 
of danger, the employer shall provide and maintain 
appropriate means for escape and rescue. 
7. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32/9 
Article 6 
Communication, warning and alarm systems 
The employer shall take measures to provide the 
necessary warning and other communication systems to 
enable aid, escape, evacuation and rescue immediately, in 
case of need. 
Article 7 
Provision of sanitary equipment and rest-rooms 
The employer shall provide and maintain appropriate 
sanitary equipment and rest-rooms and, if appropriate, 
accommodation. 
Article 8 
Information of workers 
Without prejudice to Article 10 of Directive 
89/391/EEC, workers and/or their representatives shall 
be informed of all measures to be taken concerning 
safety and health at the workplaces, in particular of 
those relating to the implementation of Articles 3 to 7. 
Article 9 
Consultation of workers and workers' participation 
Consultation and participation of workers and/or of 
their representatives shall take place in accordance with 
Article 11 of Directive 89/391/EEC on the matters 
covered by this Directive. 
SECTION III 
REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPROVING THE SAFETY AND 
HEALTH PROTECTION OF WORKERS 
Article 10 
Exploration for and exploitation of minerals by means of 
boreholes 
1. Workplaces concerned with the exploration for and 
exploitation of minerals by means of boreholes used for 
the first time after 31 December 1992 must satisfy the 
minimum safety and health requirement laid down in the 
Annex. 
2. Workplaces already in use before 31 December 
1992 must satisfy the minimum safety and health 
requirements laid down in the Annex as soon as possible 
and at the latest five years after that date. 3. When workplaces undergo modifications, 
extensions and/or conversions after 31 December 1992, 
the employer shall take the measures necessary to ensure 
that those modifications, extensions and/or conversions 
are in compliance with the corresponding minimum 
requirements laid down in the Annex. 
Article 11 
In accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 
118a of the Treaty, the Council shall adopt minimum 
safety and health requirements corresponding to those 
established in Article 10 of this Directive for the 
exploration for and exploitation of minerals by means of 
boreholes in relation to the exploration for and exploi­
tation of minerals in mines and quarries. 
SECTION IV 
OTHER PROVISIONS 
Article 12 
Amendments to the Annex 
Amendments to the Annex as a result of: 
— the adoption of directives, technical harmonization 
and standardization, and/or 
— technical progress, changes in international regu­
lations or specifications, and new findings, 
shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid 
down in Article 17 of Directive 89/391/EEC. 
Article 13 
Final provisions 
1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, 
regulations and administrative provisions necessary to 
comply with this Directive by 31 December 1992 and 
shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. 
When Member States adopt these provisions, these shall 
contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accom­
panied by such reference at the time of their official 
publication. The procedure for such reference shall be 
adopted by Member States. 
2. The Member States shall communicate to the 
Commission the texts of the provisions of national law 
which they have already adopted or adopt in the field 
governed by this Directive. 
No C 32/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 7. 2. 91 
3. Member States shall report to the Commission the Safety and Health Commission for the Mining and 
every five years on the practical implementation of the Other Extractive industries. 
provisions of this Directive, indicating the points of view 
of employers and workers. . 
The Commission shall inform the European Parliament, 
the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and This Directive is addressed to the Member States. 
ANNEX 
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPROVING THE SAFETY AND HEALTH PROTECTION 
OF WORKERS IN THE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES CONCERNED WITH THE EXPLORATION 
FOR AND THE EXPLOITATION OF MINERALS BY MEANS OF BOREHOLES 
A. COMMON REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE ONSHORE AND OFFSHORE SECTORS 
Preliminary note 
The obligations laid down in this Annex apply whenever required by the features of the 
workplace, the activity, the circumstances or the hazard. 
2. Stability and solidity 
Workplaces must be designed, constructed, erected, operated, supervised and maintained to 
withstand the environmental forces anticipated and have a structure and solidity appropriate to 
the nature of their use. 
3. Organization and supervision 
3.1. Organization of the workplace 
3.1.1. Workplaces must be organized so as to provide adequate protection against hazards. They must 
be kept clean, with any hazardous substances or deposits removed or controlled in such a way 
that they do not pose any threat to the health and safety of the workforce. 
3.1.2. Workstations must be ergonomically designed and constructed, taking into account the need 
for workers to be aware of relevant operations of their workstations. 
3.1.3. Areas within which there is a particular hazard must be delineated and warning signs placed. 
3.2. Person in charge 
Every workplace which is manned must at all times be under the charge of a person who has 
the skills and competence suitable for the appointment, and who is authorized by the employer. 
3.3. Competent persons 
At every workplace which is manned there must be provided a sufficient number of competent 
persons having the abilities and the experience necessary to perform the tasks to which they are 
assigned. 
7. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32/11 
3.4. Supervision 
To ensure workers' safety and health protection during all operations undertaken, the necessary 
supervision must be provided. Supervision may only be exercised by responsible and properly 
trained persons appointed by and on behalf of the employer. 
3.5. Information, instruction and training 
Workers must be given the necessary information, instruction, training and retraining to ensure 
their health and safety. 
3.6. Written instructions 
Written instructions specifying practices to be observed to ensure the safety of workers and the 
safe use of equipment must be provided for every workplace. These must include information 
on the use of emergency equipment and the action to be taken in the event of an emergency on 
or near the workplace. 
3.7. Safe systems of work and work permits 
Safe systems of work shall be implemented at every workplace. These shall include a system of 
work permits where hazardous activities are undertaken, or where usually straightforward 
activities may interact with other activities to produce serious hazards. Such permits must be 
authorized by a responsible person prior to the commencement of work. The permit must 
specify the conditions to be fulfilled and the precautions to be taken before, during the work 
and after its completion. 
4. Mechanical and electrical equipment and plant 
4.1. General 
Without prejudice to Directive 89/392/EEC and Directive 89/655/EEC, mechanical and elec­
trical equipment and plant must be designed, constructed, installed, commissioned, operated 
and maintained so as to ensure safe operation. If located in an area within which danger of fire 
or explosion from ignition of gas, vapour or volatile liquid exists or is likely to exist, it must be 
suitable for use in that area. Equipment must, where appropriate, be fitted with suitable 
protective devices and fail-safe systems. 
4.2. Mechanical equipment and plant 
All equipment and plant must be of good construction, sound material, adequate strength and 
free from patent defect and suitable for the purpose for which it is used. 
4.3. Electrical equipment and installations 
All electrical equipment and installations must be sufficient in size and power for the work for 
which it is to be used, and so designed, constructed, installed and protected as to prevent 
danger. 
5. Maintenance 
5.1. General maintenance 
There shall be in force a suitable scheme providing for the systematic examination, maintenance 
and, where appropriate, testing of mechanical and electrical equipment and plant. 
All maintenance, examination and testing of any part of the plant and equipment must be 
carried out by a competent person. Records of examinations and tests must be made and kept in 
an appropriate manner. 
No C 32/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 7. 2. 91 
5.2. Safety equipment maintenance 
Safety equipment must be maintained ready for use and in good order at all times. Maintenance 
must be undertaken with due regard to operations, to ensure that adequate protection is 
provided. 
6. Lifting equipment, crane operations — safety precautions 
Every lifting appliance or piece of lifting gear must be plainly marked with its safe working load 
or loads. No lifting appliance or piece of lifting gear may be operated in excess of the safe 
working load. 
Every lifting appliance and every piece of lifting gear must be thoroughly examined and, where 
necessary, tested by a competent person at appropriate intervals and after substantial modifi­
cations or following any repair. Records of examinations and tests must be made and kept in an 
appropriate manner. 
Only specially approved equipment and procedures may be used for the lifting of persons. 
7. Well control 
Suitable well control equipment must be provided for use during well operations to protect 
against blowouts. Arrangements for such equipment shall take into account the prevailing well 
and operational conditions. 
8. Protection against hazardous atmospheres and explosion protection 
8.1. Efficient means must be provided and used for detecting the presence and for measuring the 
concentration of hazardous and/or potentially explosive atmospheres. 
Where the circumstances so require, monitoring devices measuring gas concentrations at 
specified places automatically and continuously, automatic alarms and devices to cut off power 
automatically from electrical installations and internal combustion engines must be provided. 
The results of automatic measurements must be recorded and preserved for a period of 12 
months. 
8.2. Protection against hazardous atmospheres 
8.2.1. Appropriate measures must be provided to extract at source and remove accumulations of 
hazardous atmospheres, if these are or may be present. The system must be capable of 
dispersing any such gases in a manner which avoids the contamination of other areas of the 
installation by those gases. 
8.2.2. Without prejudice to Directive 89/656/EEC (') and where workers may be endangered by 
atmospheres which are hazardous to health, appropriate and sufficient breathing and resusci­
tation equipment must be provided. A sufficient number of persons must be constantly available 
to operate such equipment. Protective equipment must be suitably stored and maintained. 
8.2.3. Where hydrogen sulphide or other toxic gases are or may be present, a gas protection plan 
detailing the protective equipment and the preventative measures must be available for the 
relevant authorities. 
8.3. Explosion protection 
8.3.1. All necessary measures must be taken to prevent the occurrence and accumulation of potentially 
explosive atmospheres. 
(') OJ No L 393, 30. 12. 1989, p. 18. 
7. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32/13 
8.3.2. In areas subject to an explosion hazard all necessary measures must be taken to prevent the 
ignition of explosive atmospheres. 
8.3.3. An explosion protection plan detailing the equipment and measures required must be prepared. 
9. Emergency routes and exits 
9.1. In the event of danger, it must be possible for workers to evacuate the workplace quickly and as 
safely as possible. 
9.2. Every general area must have at least two separate escape routes situated as far apart as possible 
and leading to a safe area, a safe assembly point or abandonment station. 
9.3. Emergency routes and exits must remain clear and lead as directly as possible to the open air, to 
a safe area, a safe assembly point or to an abandonment station. 
9.4. The number, distribution and dimensions of the emergency routes and exits depend on the use, 
equipment and dimensions of the workplaces and the maximum number of persons that may be 
present. 
9.5. Emergency doors must either open outwards or, if this is not possible, be designed as sliding 
doors. 
9.6. Emergency doors should not be so locked or fastened that they cannot be easily and 
immediately opened by any person who may require to use them in an emergency. 
9.7. Emergency doors must not be locked by key. 
The emergency routes and exits, and the traffic routes and doors giving access to them, must be 
free from obstruction so that they can be used at any time without hindrance. 
9.8. Emergency routes and exits requiring illumination must be provided with emergency lighting of 
adequate intensity in case the lighting fails. 
9.9. Specific emergency routes and exits must be indicated by signs in accordance with Directive 
77/576/EEC (»). 
10. Ventilation of enclosed workplaces 
10.1. Steps shall be taken to ensure that there is sufficient fresh air in enclosed workplaces, having 
regard to the working methods used and the physical demands placed on the workers. 
If a ventilation system is used, it shall be maintained in working order. 
Any breakdown must be indicated by the control system where this is necessary for workers' 
health. 
10.2. Air-conditioning or mechanical ventilation installations must be used in such a way that workers 
are not exposed to draughts which cause discomfort. 
Any deposit likely to create an immediate danger to the health of workers by polluting the 
atmosphere must be removed without delay. 
(') OJ No L 229, 7. 9. 1977, p. 12. 
No C 32/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 7. 2. 91 
11. Room temperature 
11.1. During working hours, the temperature in rooms containing workstations must be suitable for 
workers, having regard to the working methods being used and the physical demands placed on 
the workers. 
11.2. The temperature in rest areas, rooms for duty staff, sanitary facilities, canteens and first aid 
rooms must be appropriate to the particular purpose of such areas. 
11.3. Windows, skylights and glass partitions should allow excessive effects of sunlight in workplaces 
to be avoided, having regard to the nature of the work and of the workplace. 
12. Floors, walls, ceilings and roofs of rooms 
12.1. Floors of workplaces must be fixed, stable, not slippery, and free of dangerous bumps, holes or 
slopes. 
Rooms containing workstations must be adequately insulated, bearing in mind the type of 
undertaking involved and the physical activity of the workers. 
12.2. The surfaces of floors, walls and ceilings in rooms must be such that they can be kept at an 
appropriate standard of hygiene. 
12.3. Transparent or translucent walls and in particular all glass partitions in rooms or in the vicinity 
of workplaces and traffic routes must be clearly indicated. These must be made of safety 
material or be shielded from such places or traffic routes to prevent workers from coming into 
contact with walls or being injured should the walls shatter. 
12.4. Access to roofs made of non-loadbearing materials must be controlled. Suitable equipment must 
be provided to ensure that requisite work there can be carried out in a safe manner. 
13. Natural and artificial lighting 
Every workplace must be provided throughout with lighting capable of supplying illumination 
sufficient to ensure the health and safety of persons therein. The lighting installation must be 
arranged to ensure that operational control areas, escape routes, embarkation areas and 
hazardous areas remain illuminated in both normal and emergency conditions. 
14. Windows and skylights 
14.1. Windows, skylights and ventilation devices which are meant to be opened, adjusted or secured 
must be such that these operations can be carried out safely. 
They must not be positioned so as to constitute a hazard to workers when open. 
14.2. It must be possible to clean windows and skylights without risk. 
15. Doors and gates 
15.1. The position, number and dimensions of doors and gates, and the materials used in their 
construction must be determined by the nature and use of the rooms or areas. 
15.2. Transparent doors and gates must be appropriately marked at a conspicuous location. 
7. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32/15 
15.3. Swing doors and gates must be transparent or have suitable see-through panels. 
15.4. Where there is a danger that workers may be injured if doors or gates with transparent or 
translucent surfaces shatter then these must be protected against breakage. 
15.5. Sliding doors must be fitted with safety devices to prevent them from being derailed and falling 
over. 
15.6. Doors and gates opening upwards must be fitted with a mechanism to secure them from falling 
back. 
15.7. Doors along escape routes must be appropriately marked. It must be possible to open them at 
any time. 
15.8. Doors for pedestrians must be provided in the immediate vicinity of any gates intended 
primarily for vehicle traffic, unless it is safe for pedestrians to pass through. Such doors must be 
clearly marked and kept free of obstruction. 
15.9. Mechanical doors and gates must function in such a way that the risk of accident to workers is 
minimized. 
They must be fitted with easily identifiable and accessible emergency stop devices. Unless they 
open automatically in the event of a power failure, it must also be possible to open them 
manually. 
15.10. Where chains are used to constrain access at any place, these should be clearly visible and 
appropriately identified by signs denoting any prohibition or warning. 
16. Traffic routes 
16.1. It must be possible to reach workplaces without danger and to leave them quickly and safely in 
an emergency. 
16.2. Traffic routes and/or access routes, including stairs, fixed ladders and loading ramps, must be 
so located and of such dimensions that they are safe and do not represent a danger to workers 
employed in the vicinity. 
16.3. The dimensions of routes used for pedestrian traffic and/or goods traffic must be suitable for 
the number of potential users and the type of undertaking. 
A sufficient safety clearance must be provided for pedestrians, if vehicles are used on traffic 
routes. 
16.4. Sufficient clearance must be allowed between vehicle traffic routes and doors, gates, passages 
for pedestrians, corridors and staircases. 
16.5. Where the use and equipment of rooms so requires, traffic or access routes must be clearly 
identified for the protection of workers. 
16.6. Where road vehicles enter the workplace, traffic regulations must be established as necessary. 
17. Dangerous areas 
17.1. Dangerous areas must be clearly indicated. 
17.2. Unauthorized access to workplaces with dangerous areas, including those where there is a risk 
of objects or workers falling, must where possible be prevented. 
17.3. Appropriate measures must be taken to ensure the protection of health and safety of workers 
authorized to enter dangerous areas. 
No C 32/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 7. 2. 91 
18. Room dimensions and air space in rooms — freedom of movement at the workstation 
18.1. Workrooms must have sufficient surface area, height and air space to allow workers to perform 
their work without risk to their safety, health or well-being. 
18.2. The space available to workers at their workstation must be such to allow sufficient freedom of 
movement as well as to perform their work safely. 
19. Rest-rooms 
19.1. Where the safety or health or numbers of workers so requires, workers must be provided with 
an easily accessible rest-room. 
This provision does not apply where the workers are employed in offices or similar workrooms 
providing equivalent relaxation during breaks. 
19.2. Rest-rooms must be large enough for the number of workers and equipped with an adequate 
number of tables and seats with backs. 
19.3. Appropriate measures must be introduced in rest-rooms for the protection of non-smokers 
against tobacco smoke. 
20. Outdoor workplaces 
20.1. Workstations, traffic routes and other areas or installations outdoors which are used or 
occupied by the workers in the course of their activity must be organized in such a way that 
pedestrians and vehicles can circulate safely. 
20.2. Workplaces outdoors must be adequately lit by artificial lighting if daylight is not adequate. 
20.3. When workers are employed at workstations outdoors, such workstations must as far as 
possible be arranged so that workers: 
— are protected against inclement weather, 
— are protected from slips, falls and if necessary against falling objects, 
— are not exposed to harmful noise levels or to harmful external influences such as gases, 
vapour or dust, 
— are able to leave their workstations swiftly in the event of danger or can rapidly be assisted 
so to do. 
21. Pregnant women and nursing mothers 
Pregnant women and nursing mothers must be able to lie down to rest in appropriate 
conditions. 
22. Handicapped workers 
Workplaces must be organized to take account of handicapped workers, if necessary. 
This provision applies in particular to the doors, passageways, staircases, showers, washbasins, 
lavatories and workstations used or occupied directly by handicapped persons. 
7. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32/17 
B. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE ONSHORE SECTOR 
1. Fire detection and fire fighting 
1.1. Wherever workplaces are being designed, constructed, equipped, commissioned, operated or 
maintained, adequate measures must be taken to prevent fires starting and spreading from the 
sources identified in a safety assessment as referred to in Articles 6, 9 and 10 of Directive 
89/391/EEC. Provision must be made for fast and effective fire fighting. 
1.2. Workplaces must be equipped with appropriate fire-fighting equipment and with fire detectors 
and alarm systems, as necessary. 
1.3. Fire-fighting equipment intended for general use must be easily accessible, simple to use and, 
where necessary, protected from damage. 
1.4. A fire protection plan detailing the precautions to be taken in accordance with Articles 3, 4, 5 
and 6 appropriate to protect against, detect and combat the outbreak and spread of fires must 
be kept on site. 
1.5. The equipment must be indicated by signs in accordance with Directive 77/576/EEC. 
2. Remote control in emergencies 
Equipment identified as necessary by a safety assessment must be capable of remote control at 
suitable locations in the event of an emergency. Remote control equipment must be able to 
control the isolation and blowdown of wells, plant and pipelines. 
3. Communication, general and emergency 
3.1. Every normally manned workplace must be provided with: 
(a) an audio-visual system capable of transmitting an alarm indication to every manned part of 
the workplace as necessary; 
(b) where appropriate, a system capable of being heard distinctly at all parts of the installation 
where persons are frequently present. 
3.2. Facilities for raising an alarm must be provided at suitable locations. 
3.3. When persons are present on workplaces which are not normally manned, communication 
systems appropriate to the circumstances must be provided. 
4. Safe assembly points and muster list 
The need for specifying safe assembly points and maintaining muster lists must be evaluated and 
where required the necessary action taken. 
5. Means of evacuation and escape 
5.1. Workers must be trained in the appropriate actions to be taken in emergencies. 
5.2. Rescue equipment must be provided at readily accessible and appropriately sited places and kept 
ready for use. 
5.3. Where escape routes are difficult and where irrespirable atmospheres are or may be present, 
self-contained escape apparatus must be provided for immediate use at the workstation. 
No C 32/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 
6. Safety exercises 
On normally manned workplaces safety exercises must be held at regular intervals. In these 
exercises, amongst other matters, each person at the workplace to whom duties have been 
assigned in the event of emergency involving the use, handling or operation of emergency 
equipment is instructed and examined. Where relevant, these persons should also be exercised in 
the correct use, handling or operation of that equipment. 
7. Sanitary equipment 
7.1. Changing-rooms and lockers 
7.1.1. Appropriate changing-rooms must be provided for workers if they have to wear special work 
clothes and where, for reasons of health and propriety, they cannot be expected to change in 
another room. Changing-rooms must be easily accessible, have sufficient capacity and be 
provided with seating. 
7.1.2. Changing-rooms must be sufficiently large and have facilities to enable each worker to lock 
away his clothes during working hours. Provision must be made to enable wet working clothes 
to be dried. 
If circumstances so require, lockers for work clothes must be separate from those for ordinary 
clothes. 
7.1.3. Provisions must be made for either separate changing-rooms or separate use of changing-rooms 
for men and women. 
7.2. Showers and washing facilities 
7.2.1. Where required by the nature of the work or for health reasons, an adequate and a suitable 
number of showers must be provided for workers. 
Provisions must be made for either separate shower-rooms or separate use of shower-rooms for 
men and women. 
7.2.2. The shower-rooms must permit each worker to wash without hindrance in suitably hygienic 
conditions. The showers must be equipped with hot and cold running water. 
7.2.3. Where showers are not required according to point 7.2.1, washbasins with hot and cold running 
water must be provided in the vicinity of workstations. 
7.2.4. Where the rooms housing the showers or washbasins are separate from the changing-rooms, 
there must be easy communication between the two. 
7.3. Lavatories and washbasins 
Separate facilities must be provided in the vicinity of workstations, rest-rooms, changing-rooms 
and rooms housing showers or washbasins with an adequate number of lavatories and wash­
basins. 
Provisions must be made for separate lavatories or separate use of lavatories for men and 
women 
8. First aid facilities 
8.1. First aid equipment must be available in all places where working conditions require it. 
This equipment must be suitably marked and easily accessible. 
7. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32/19 
8.2. The first aid equipment provided must be fitting to the operation. Where appropriate, a suitable 
room where first aid can be given to injured persons must be provided. Clearly visible first aid 
instruction in the event of accidents must be displayed in this room. 
8.3. First aid rooms must be fitted with essential first aid installations and equipment and be easily 
accessible for stretchers. 
They must be signposted in accordance with Directive 77/576/EEC. 
8.4. A suitable number of persons must be trained in the use of the first aid equipment provided. 
C. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE OFFSHORE SECTOR 
1. Fire detection and fire fighting 
1.1. Appropriate precautions, as identified by a safety assessment, must be undertaken to protect 
against, detect and combat the outbreak and spread of fires. Where appropriate, fire breaks 
should be provided for the purpose of segregating fire risk areas. 
1.2. Adequate fire detection and protection systems, fire-fighting systems and alarms must be 
provided on all workplaces in accordance with the risks identified in a safety assessment. These 
may include but are not limited to: 
— fire detection systems, 
— fire alarms, 
— fire water mains, 
— fire hydrant and hoses, 
— water deluge systems and water monitors, 
— automatic sprinkler systems, 
— gas extinguishant systems, 
— foam systems, 
— portable fire extinguishers, 
— fireman's equipment. 
1.3. Fire-fighting equipment intended for general use must be easily accessible, simple to use and, 
where necessary, protected from damage. 
1.4. A fire protection plan detailing the precautions appropriate to protect against, detect and 
combat the outbreak of fires must be kept on the workplace. 
1.5. Emergency systems must be so segregated or otherwise afforded protection from accidental 
events to the extent necessary to ensure that the emergency functions remain operational in an 
emergency. Where appropriate such systems shall be duplicated. 
1.6. The equipment must be indicated by signs in accordance with Directive 77/576/EEC. 
2. Remote control in emergencies 
2.1. Equipment identified as necessary by a safety assessment must be capable of remote control at 
suitable locations in the event of an emergency. Such equipment must include the systems for 
ventilation, emergency shut-down of equipment which could give rise to ignition, the 
prevention of the escape of flammable liquids and gas, fire protection and well control. 
Official Journal of the European Communities 7. 2. 91 
3. Communication: general and emergency 
3.1. Every normally manned workplace must be provided with: 
— an audio-visual system capable of transmitting an alarm indication to every manned part of 
the workplace as necessary, 
— a public address system capable of being heard distinctly at all parts of the installation where 
persons are frequently present and aural communication is practicable, 
— a system capable of maintaining communication with the shore and the emergency services. 
3.2. Such systems must be capable of remaining operational in the event of an emergency. The 
public address system should be supplemented by communication systems which are not reliant 
on vulnerable power supplies. 
3.3. Facilities for raising an alarm must be provided at suitable locations. 
3.4. When persons are present on workplaces which are not normally manned, communications 
systems appropriate to the circumstances must be provided. 
4. Safe assembly points and muster list 
4.1. All necessary measures must be taken to protect abandonment stations and safe assembly points 
from heat, smoke and the effects of explosion. 
4.2. Each safe assembly point must be as close as possible to its associated abandonment stations and 
have sufficient space to accommodate all persons assigned to the station or stations. 
4.3. Safe assembly points and abandonment stations must be readily accessible from accommodation 
and work areas. 
4.4. A list of the personnel on a workplace must be maintained at all times. Every person on the 
workplace must be allocated a safe assembly point. Records of persons assigned to different 
4 abandonment stations must be separately maintained and displayed. 
4.5. A record of persons assigned special duties in the event of an emergency must be provided and 
displayed at suitable locations on the workplace and noted in the written instructions referred 
to in section A under point 3.6. 
5. Means of evacuation and escape 
5.1. Workers must be trained in the appropriate actions to be taken in emergencies. 
5.2. Workers must be given suitable training in survival techniques. 
5.3. Suitable and sufficient means of evacuation in an emergency and means of escape direct to the 
sea must be provided on every workplace. 
5.4. A safety assessment must be undertaken and an emergency plan developed for man overboard 
and workplace evacuation situations. Standby vessels must be available and must be suitably 
equipped to save lives. 
5.5. The minimum requirements for every survival craft (lifeboat), life-raft, lifebuoy and life-jacket 
which are provided are that they: 
— be suitable and equipped to maintain life for a sufficient time, 
— be of sufficient number for all the workers likely to be present, 
— be of a type suitable for the workplace, 
7. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 32/21 
— be properly constructed of suitable materials having regard to their life-saving function and 
the circumstances in which they may be used and kept ready for use, and 
— be of such colour as will make them conspicuous when in use, and equipped with devices 
such that the user can use them to attract the attention of rescuers. 
5.6. Adequate life-saving appliances must be available for immediate use. 
6. Safety exercises 
On normally manned workplaces safety exercises must be held at regular intervals in which: 
— all persons on the workplace to whom duties have been assigned involving the use, handling 
or operation of emergency equipment must be instructed and examined in the execution of 
such duties. Where relevant they should be also exercised in the correct use, handling or 
operation of that equipment, 
— all emergency equipment used in the drill is examined, cleaned and, where appropriate, 
recharged or replaced, and all portable equipment so used is returned to the place where it 
is ordinarily kept, 
— survival craft are tested for operation. 
7. Sanitary equipment 
7.1. Changing- rooms and lockers 
7.1.1. Where workers have to wear special work clothes, or where, for reasons of health or propriety, 
they cannot be expected to change elsewhere, appropriate changing-rooms must be provided. 
They must be easily accessible and be provided with seating. 
7.1.2. Changing-rooms must be sufficiently large and have facilities to enable each worker to lock 
away their clothes during working hours. Provisions must be made to enable wet working 
clothes to be dried. 
If circumstances so require (e.g. dangerous substances, humidity, dirt), lockers for work clothes 
must be separate from those for ordinary clothes. 
7.1.3. Provision must be made for separate changing-rooms or separate use of changing-rooms for 
men and women. 
7.2. Showers and washing facilities 
In addition to those facilities provided in any accommodation area, adequate and suitable 
showers and washing facilities shall if necessary be provided in the vicinity of workstations. 
7.3. Lavatories and washbasins 
In addition to those facilities provided in any accommodation, an adequate number of lavatories 
and washbasins shall if necessary be provided in the vicinity of workstations. 
Provisions must be made for separate lavatories or separate use of lavatories for men and 
women. 
8. First aid rooms 
8.1. One or more first aid rooms must be provided in accordance with the size of the premises and 
the type of activity being carried out. 
8.2. They must be signposted in accordance with Directive 77/576/EEC. 
No C 32/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 7. 2. 91 
8.3. There must be provided such equipment, facilities and medications and such number of suitable 
persons as are adequate and appropriate in the circumstances for rendering first aid or, where 
necessary, treatment under the direction of a registered medical practitioner (who may or may 
not be present). 
8.4. In addition first aid equipment must be available in all places where working conditions require 
it. 
8.5. The provisions of Council Directive ... on the minimum health and safety requirements for 
improved medical treatment on board vessels shall apply to workplaces where the provisions of 
that Directive are more stringent than those of the present Directive. 
9. Accommodation 
9.1. If the nature, scale and duration of operations so require, the employer must also provide 
employees with accommodation which must be: 
— protected against the effects of explosion, the ingress of smoke and gas and the outbreak 
and spread of fire as identified by a safety assessment, 
— suitably equipped with ventilation, heating and lighting facilities, 
— provided at each level with at least two independent exits leading to escape routes, 
— protected against noise, smells and fumes likely to be hazardous to health from other areas, 
and against the weather, 
— separate from any workstation and located away from dangerous areas. 
9.2. Such accommodation must contain sufficient beds or bunks for the number of persons expected 
to sleep on the installation. Any room designated as sleeping accommodation must contain 
adequate space for the occupants to store their clothes. Separate sleeping rooms for men and 
women must be provided. 
9.3. Such accommodation must include a sufficient number of showers and washing facilities 
equipped with hot and cold running water. Provision must be made for separate shower-rooms 
or separate use of shower-rooms for men and women. 
Showers must be sufficiently spacious to permit each worker to wash without hindrance in 
suitably hygienic conditions. 
9.4. The accommodation must be equipped with a sufficient number of lavatories and washbasins. 
Provision must be made for separate facilities or separate use of such facilities for men and 
women. 
9.5. The accommodation and its equipment must be maintained to adequate standards of hygiene. 
10. Helicopter operations 
Helicopter decks on workplaces must be of sufficient size and located so as to provide a clear 
approach to enable the largest helicopter using the deck to operate under the most severe 
conditions anticipated for helicopter operations. The helicopter deck must be of a design and 
construction adequate for the intended service. 
There should be provided, and stored in the immediate vicinity of the helicopter landing area, 
equipment needed for use in the event of an accident involving a helicopter. 
11. Movement of installations — safety and stability 
Towing arrangements and procedures must be such as to reduce to a minimum any danger to 
workers during towing operations. The design and arrangement of towing fittings should have 
regard to both normal and emergency conditions.