5.3.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC58/3
II
(PreparatoryActs)
COMMISSION
ProposalforaCouncilDirectiveconcerningminimumrequirementsforimprovingthesafety
andhealthprotectionofworkersintheextractiveindustriesfortheexplorationandexploitation
ofmineralsinminesandquarries
(92/C58/03)
COM(92)14final—SYN392
(SubmittedbytheCommissionon27January1992)
THECOUNCILOFTHEEUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,WhereasCouncilDirective89/654/EECof30
November1989concerningminimumsafetyandhealth
requirementsfortheworkplace(')doesnotcoverthe
extractiveindustries :
HavingregardtotheTreatyestablishingtheEuropean
EconomicCommunityandinparticularArticle118A
thereof, Whereastheextractiveindustriesarehigherthanaverage
riskactivities;
HavingregardtotheproposalfromtheCommission ,
preparedafterconsultingtheSafetyandHealth
CommissionfortheMiningandOtherExtractive
Industries,Whereastheminesandquarriessectoroftheseindustries
isdeemedtobeofparticularimportanceforintroducing
improvements intheprotectionofthesafetyandhealth
ofworkers:
IncooperationwiththeEuropeanParliament,WhereasArticle11oftheproposalforaCouncil
Directiveconcerningminimumrequirements for
improvingthesafetyandhealthprotectionofworkersin
theextractiveindustries(2)providesfortheCouncil,in
accordancewiththeprocedurelaiddowninArticle118A
oftheTreaty,toadoptminimumrequirementsfor
improvingthesafetyandhealthprotectioninthe
extractiveindustriesconcernedwithexplorationforand
exploitationofmineralsinminesandquarries;HavingregardtotheopinionoftheEconomicand
SocialCommittee,
WhereasArticle118AoftheTreatyprovidesthatthe
Councilshalladopt,bymeansofdirectives,minimum
requirementsforencouragingimprovements ,especially
intheworkingenvironment,toensureabetterlevelof
protectionofthesafetyandhealthofworkers;WhereasthisDirectiveisanindividualDirectivewithin
themeaningofArticle16(1)ofCouncilDirective
89/391/EECof12June1989ontheintroductionof
measurestoencourageimprovements inthesafetyand
healthofworkersatwork(3);whereas,therefore,the
provisionsofthesaidDirectivearefullyapplicabletothe
domainoftheextractiveindustrieswithoutprejudiceto
morerestrictiveand/orspecificprovisionscontainedin
thisDirective;Whereas,underthetermsofthatArticle,thosedirectives
aretoavoidimposingadministrative ,financialandlegal
constraintsinawaywhichcouldholdbackthecreation
anddevelopmentofsmallandmedium-sizedunder­
takings;WhereasthisDirectiveconstitutesapracticalaspectof
therealizationofthesocialdimensionoftheinternal
market,inrespectoftheextractiveindustriesasdefined
OOJNoL393,30.12.1989,p.1. Whereastheimprovementofworkers'safety,hygiene
andhealthatworkisanobjectivewhichshouldnotbe
subordinatedtopurelyeconomicconsiderations ;OOJNoC32,7.2.1991,p.7—COM(90)663final.
OOJNoL183,29.6.1989,p.1.

NoC58/4 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 5.3.92
byCouncilDecision74/326/EECof27June1974on
theextensionoftheresponsibilities oftheMinesSafety
andHealthCommissiontoallmineral-extracting
industries(');
Whereasthesurfaceback-upfacilitiesofminesand
quarrieswhicharenotessentialtoexploration,
extractioninthestrictsenseofthewordandpreparation
oftheextractedmaterialsforsale,forexample,the
transformation oftheextractedmaterials,aresubjectto
theprovisionsofDirective89/654/EEC;
Whereas,pursuanttoDecision74/326/EEC,theSafety
andHealthCommissionfortheMiningandOther
ExtractiveIndustriesisconsultedbytheCommissionon
thedraftingofproposalsinthisfield,—'workplace'meansthewholeareaintendedtohouse
workstationsinwhichworkiscarriedout,including
theimmediateandancillaryactivitiesandfacilitiesof
theextractiveindustriesincludingsanitaryinstal­
lations,rest-roomsandaccommodation where
providedtowhichworkershaveaccessinthecourse
oftheirwork,
—'explorationforandexploitationofmineralsby
meansofboreholes'meansallminingactivities
concernedwithprospectingforandextractionof
mineralsbyboreholesdrivenfromthesurface
(onshoreoroffshore),
—'explorationforandexploitationofmineralsin
surfaceworkings'meansallminingactivities
concernedwithprospectingforandextractionof
mineralsinworkingsintheopenair,
—'explorationforandexploitationofmineralsin
undergroundworkings'meansallminingactivities
concernedwithprospectingforandextractionof
mineralsinworkingsaccessiblebyshaftsand/or
undergroundroadways.HASADOPTEDTHISDIRECTIVE :
SECTION I
GENERALPROVISIONS
SECTIONII
OBLIGATIONS OFTHEEMPLOYERArticle1
Subject
1.ThisDirective,whichisanindividualDirective
withinthemeaningofArticle16(1)ofDirective
89/391/EEC,laysdownminimumrequirementsforthe
safetyandhealthprotectionofworkersintheextractive
industriesasdefinedinArticle2.
2.TheprovisionsofDirective89/391/EECarefully
applicabletothedomainreferredtoinparagraph 1of
thisDirective,withoutprejudicetomorerestrictive
and/orspecificprovisionscontainedinthisDirective.Article3
Generalobligations
1.Tosafeguardthesafetyandhealthofworkers,the
employershalltakethenecessarymeasurestoensure
that:
—workplacesaredesigned,constructed,equipped,
commissioned ,operatedandmaintainedinsucha
waythatworkerscanperformtheworkassignedto
themwithoutdangertothemselvesand/orothers,
—responsiblesupervisionispresentduringoperationof
mannedworkplaces,
—workinvolvingaspecialriskisentrustedonlyto
suitablyqualifiedstaffandcarriedoutinaccordance
withtheinstructionsgiven,
—allsafetyinstructionsarecomprehensible tothe
workersconcerned,Article2
Definitions
ForthepurposeofthisDirective:
—'extractiveindustries'shallbetakentomeantheacti­
vitiesofprospectingandofextractioninthestrict
senseofthewordaswellasofpreparationof
extractedmaterialsforsale,butnottheprocessingof
suchextractedmaterials,
(')OJNoL185,9.7.1974,p.18. —appropriatefirst-aidfacilitiesareprovided,

5.3.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC58/5
Article7
Provisionofsanitaryinstallationsandrest-rooms
Theemployershallprovideandmaintainappropriate
sanitaryinstallationsandrest-rooms,andifappropriate,
accommodation .—anyrelevantsafetyexercisesareperformedatregular
intervals.
2.Priortothecommencement ofwork,andwhen
changesaremadeduringprospectionand/orextraction
ofminerals,theemployershallforwardtothe
responsibleauthorities :
—thenameofthepersonorcorporatebodywho
assumesresponsibilityforthehealthandsafetyofall
operationsandpersonnel,whetherdirectemployees
oremployeesofcontractorsataninstallationora
sitefortheprospectionand/orextractionof
minerals,
—adocumentwheretherisksataninstallationorasite
fortheprospectionand/orextractionofmineralsare
assessedfromtheconceptanddesignstageinan
objectivemannerinordertoachievethegoalsset
downinthisDirectiveandinitsAnnexesandto
followtheprovisionslaiddowninArticles6(2),9
and10ofDirective89/391/EEC.
3.Theemployershallreportforthwithtothe
responsibleauthoritiesfataland/orseriousoccupational
accidentsanddangeroussituationsandgiveanaccount
ofthemeasurestakentopreventanyrepetition.Article8
Informationofworkers
WithoutprejudicetoArticle10ofDirective
89/391/EEC,workersand/ortheirrepresentatives shall
beinformedofallmeasurestobetakenconcerning
safetyandhealthattheworkplaces,inparticularof
thoserelatingtotheimplementation ofArticles3to7.
Article9
Healthsurveillance
1.HealthsurveillanceofworkersasdefinedinArticle
14ofDirective89/391/EECmustbecarriedoutpriorto
theassigningofworkerstodutiesrelatedtotheactivities
referredtoinArticle2andatregularintervalsthereafter.
2.Thesehealthchecksmayinnocircumstances
involvetheworkerinfinancialcost,aslaiddownin
Articles6and14ofDirective89/391/EEC.Article4
Protectionagainstfire,explosionsandnoxious
atmospheres
Theemployershalltakemeasuresappropriatetothe
natureoftheoperationtoprotectagainst,detectand
combatthestartingandpropagationoffiresand
explosionsaswellastheoccurrenceofexplosiveand/or
noxiousatmospheres .Article10
Consultationandparticipationofworkers
Consultationandparticipationofworkersand/orof
theirrepresentatives shalltakeplaceinaccordancewith
Article11ofDirective89/391/EEConthematters
coveredbythisDirectiveanditsAnnexes.
Article5
Escapeandrescuefacilities
Toensurethatworkershaveadequateopportunitiesfor
leavingallworkplacespromptlyandsafelyintheevent
ofdanger,theemployershallprovideandmaintain
appropriatemeansforescapeandrescue.SECTIONIII
MINIMUMREQUIREMENTS FORIMPROVING THE
SAFETYANDHEALTHPROTECTION OFWORKERS
Article11
Explorationforandexploitationofmineralsinminesand
quarries
1.Workplacesconcernedwithexplorationforand
exploitationofmineralsinminesandquarriesusedfor
thefirsttimeafter31December1993mustsatisfythe
minimumsafetyandhealthrequirementslaiddownin
theAnnex.Article6
Communication ,warningandalarmsystems
Theemployershalltakemeasurestoprovidethe
necessarywarningandothercommunication systemsto
enableaid,escape,evacuationandrescueimmediately,in
caseofneed.

NoC58/6 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 5.3.92
Article13
Finalprovisions
1.MemberStatesshallbringintoforcethelaws,
regulationsandadministrative provisionsnecessaryto
complywiththisDirectiveby31December1993and
shallforthwithinformtheCommissionthereof.2.Workplacesexistingbefore31December1993must
satisfytheminimumsafetyandhealthrequirementslaid
downintheAnnexatthelatestnineyearsafterthat
date.
3.Whenworkplaces undergomodifications ,
extensionsand/orconversionsafter31December1993,
theemployershalltakethemeasuresnecessarytoensure
thatthosemodifications ,extensionsand/orconversions
areincompliancewiththecorresponding minimum
requirementslaiddownintheAnnex. WhenMemberStatesadopttheseprovisions,theseshall
containareferencetothisDirectiveorshallbeaccom­
paniedbysuchreferenceatthetimeoftheirofficial
publication .Theprocedureforsuchreferenceshallbe
adoptedbytheMemberStates.
2.TheMemberStatesshallcommunicate tothe
Commissionthetextsoftheprovisionsofnationallaw
whichtheyhavealreadyadoptedoradoptinthefield
governedbythisDirective.
3.MemberStatesshallreporttotheCommission
everyfiveyearsonthepracticalimplementation ofthe
provisionsofthisDirective,indicatingthepointsofview
ofemployersandworkers.
TheCommissionshallinformtheEuropeanParliament,
theCouncil,theEconomicandSocialCommitteeand
theSafetyandHealthCommissionfortheMiningand
OtherExtractiveIndustries .SECTIONIV
OTHERPROVISIONS
Article12
Amendments totheAnnexes
Amendments totheAnnexesasaresultof:
—theadoptionofDirectives,technicalharmonization
andstandardization ,
and/or
—technicalprogress,changesininternationalregu­
lationsorspecifications ,andnewfindings,
shallbeadoptedinaccordancewiththeprocedurelaid
downinArticle17ofDirective89/391/EEC.
OnsuchoccasionstheCommission shallconsultthe
SafetyandHealthCommissionfortheMiningand
OtherExtractiveIndustries .Article14
ThisDirectiveisaddressedtotheMemberStates.

5.3.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC58/7
ANNEX
MINIMUMREQUIREMENTS FORIMPROVINGTHESAFETYANDHEALTHPROTECTION
OFWORKERSINTHEEXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES CONCERNED WITHEXPLORATION FOR
ANDEXPLOITATION OFMINERALSINMINESANDQUARRIES
0.1.Preliminarynote
TheobligationslaiddowninthisAnnexapplywheneverrequiredbythefeaturesofthe
workplace,theoperation,thecircumstancesorthehazard.
0.2.Scope
0.2.1.Part1appliestooperationsandworkplacesatminesandquarriesandancillarysurfaceinstal­
lationsthereof.Ancillarysurfaceinstallationsarethebuildingsandinstallationsessentialtothe
operation .
0.2.2.Part2appliestooperationsandworkplacesintheancillarysurfaceinstallationsonlyofmines
andquarries.
0.2.3.Part3appliestooperationsandworkplacesinsurfaceworkings,excludingancillarysurface
installationsthereof.
0.2.4.Part4appliestooperationsandworkplacesinundergroundmines,excludingancillarysurface
installationsthereof.
0.2.5.SurfaceworkingsarethereforesubjecttotheprovisionsofParts1,2and3,andunderground
minesaresubjecttotheprovisionsofParts1,2and4.
1.COMMONREQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TOMINESANDQUARRIESANDTO
ANCILLARY SURFACEINSTALLATIONS THEREOF
1.1.Operationsandworkplaces
1.1.1.Operationsandworkplacesmustbeorganizedsoastoprovideadequateprotectionagainst
hazards.Workplacesmustbekeptingoodorder.Hazardoussubstancesordepositsmustbe
removedortreatedsothat,asfaraspossible,theydonotposeanythreattothehealthand
safetyoftheworkforce .
1.1.2.Workstationsmustbedesigned,constructedandwherepossibleequippedaccordingto
ergonomicprinciples .
1.1.3.Whereworkstationsareoccupiedbyloneworkers,adequatesupervisionormeansofcommuni­
cationmustbeprovided.
1.2.Supervisionandorganization
1.2.1.Personincharge
Operationsandworkplacesmustatalltimesbeplacedundertheresponsibilityofapersonwho
hastheskillsandcompetencesuitableforthepositionandhasbeendulyauthorizedbythe
employer.

5.3.92 NoC58/8 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities
1.2.2.Supervision
Supervisionmayonlybeexercisedbyresponsible,properlytrainedpersonsappointedbythe
employer.
1.2.3.Competentpersons
Ateveryworkplacetheremustbeprovidedasufficientnumberofcompetentpersonshavingthe
abilitiesandexperiencenecessarytoperformthetaskstowhichtheyareassigned.
1.2.4.Writteninstructions
Whereappropriate,writteninstructionsspecifyingpracticestobeobservedtoensurethesafety
ofworkersandthesafeuseofequipmentmustbeprovided.Thesemustincludeinformationon
theuseofemergencyequipmentandtheactiontobetakenintheeventofanemergencyator
neartheworkplace .
1.2.5.Safesystemsofwork
Safesystemsofworkshallbeimplementedateveryworkplaceandforeveryoperation.
1.3.Mechanicalandelectricalequipmentandplant
1.3.1.General
WithoutprejudicetoDirective89/392/EEC(')andDirective89/655/EEC(2),mechanicaland
electricalequipmentandplantmustbedesigned,constructed,installed,commissioned ,operated
andmaintainedsoastoensuresafeoperation.Iflocatedinanareawithinwhichdangeroffire
orexplosionfromignitionofgas,vapourorvolatileliquidexistsorislikelytoexist,itmustbe
suitableforuseinthatarea.
Equipmentmust,whereappropriate,befittedwithsuitableprotectivedevicesandfail-safe
systems.
1.3.2.Mechanicalequipmentandplant
Allequipmentandplantmustbeofgoodconstruction ,soundmaterial,adequatestrengthand
freefrompatentdefectandsuitableforthepurposeforwhichitisused.
1.3.3.Electricalequipmentandinstallations
Allelectricalequipmentandinstallationsmustbesufficientinsizeandpowerfortheworkfor
whichitistobeused,andsodesigned,constructed,installedandprotectedastoprevent
danger.
1.4.Maintenance
1.4.1.Generalmaintenance
Thereshallbeinforceasuitableschemeprovidingforthesystematicexamination,maintenance
and,whereappropriate,testingofmechanicalandelectricalequipmentandplant.
Allmaintenance,examinationandtestingofanypartofthoseinstallationsmustbecarriedout
bycompetentpersons.Recordsofexaminationsandtestsmustbemadeandkeptinanappro­
priatemanner.
(')OJNoL183,29.6.1989,p.9.
(2)OJNoL393,30.12.1989,p.13.

OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC58/9 5.3.92
1.4.2.Safetyequipmentmaintenance
Safetyequipmentmustbqmaintainedreadyforuseandingoodorderatalltimes.Maintenance
mustbeundertakenwithdueregardtooperations,toensurethatadequateprotectionisalways
provided.
1.5.Protectionagainsttherisksofexplosion,fireandnoxiousatmospheres
1.5.1.General
1.5.1.1.AllthemeasuresidentifiediritheriskevaluationexercisereferredtoinArticles6,9and10of
Directive89/391/EECmustbetakenbothtopreventanddetecttheoccurrenceoffiresand
potentiallyexplosiveand/ornoxiousatmospheresandtocombatthedangersduetofiresand
potentiallyexplosiveand/ornoxiousatmospheres .
1.5.1.2.Smokingisforbiddeninareassubjecttoparticularfireorexplosionhazards.Theuseofany
openflameandofanyequipmentwhichmaygiverisetoanignitionhazardisalsoprohibitedin
suchareas.Exemptionsmaybemadeinthelattercaseifadequatesafetyprecautionshavebeen
takentopreventtheoccurrenceoffiresorexplosions .
1.5.2.Protectionagainsttheriskofexplosion
1.5.2.1.Whereappropriate,efficientmeansmustbeprovidedandusedfordetectingthepresenceof
substanceslikelytoformapotentiallyexplosiveatmosphere .
Wherethecircumstances sorequire,monitoringdevicespermanentlymeasuringgasconcen­
trationsatspecifiedplaces,automaticalarmsanddevicesforautomaticshutdownofelectrical
installationsandpermanentlyinstalledcombustionenginesmustbeprovided.
1.5.2.2.Anexplosionprotectionplandetailingtheequipmentandthemeasurestobetakenin
accordancewithArticles3,4,5and6toprotectagainst,detectandcombattheinitiationand
propagationofexplosionsmustbeprepared.Itmustbebroughtuptodateperiodicallyandheld
availableattheworkplace .
1.5.3.Protectionagainstfirerisks
1.5.3.1.Provisionmustbemadeforfastandeffectivefightingofallfires.
1.5.3.2.Workplacesmustbeequipped,ifnecessary,withsuitablefire-fightingequipmentand,where
appropriate,withfiredetectorsandalarmsystems.
1.5.3.3.Fire-fightingequipmentintendedforgeneralusemustbeeasilyaccessible,simpletouseand,
wherenecessary,protectedfromdamage.
1.5.3.4.Afireprotectionplandetailingtheequipmentandthemeasurestobetakeninaccordancewith
Articles3,4,5and6toprotectagainst,detectandcombattheoutbreakandspreadoffiresmust
beprepared.Itmustbebroughtuptodateperiodicallyandheldavailableattheworkplace.
1.5.3.5.Fire-fightingequipmentmustbeindicatedbysigns.
1.5.4.Protectionagainstnoxiousatmospheres
1.5.4.1.Whereappropriate,efficientmeansmustbeprovidedandusedfordetectingthepresenceand
measuringtheconcentrationofnoxioussubstancesintheatmosphere .
1.5.4.2.Monitoringdevicesmeasuringdangerousconcentrations ofnoxioussubstancesmustbeinstalled
andusedinaccordancewiththeriskevaluationexercisecarriedoutinaccordancewith
Directive89/391/EEC.

NoC58/10 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 5.3.92
1.5.4.3.Wherenoxioussubstancesaccumulateorarelikelytoaccumulateintheatmosphere,appropriate
measuresmustbetakentorenderthemharmless,sothattherisktoworkersisminimized .
1.5.4.4.Anoxiousatmospherepreventionplandetailingtheequipmentandthemeasurestobetakenin
accordancewithArticles3,4,5and6toprotectagainst,detectandcombattheformationof
noxiousatmospheresmustbeprepared.Itmustbebroughtuptodateperiodicallyandheld
availableattheworkplace .
1.6.Explosivesandinitiatingdevices
Operationsinvolvingthestorage,transportanduseofexplosivesandinitiatingdevicesmustbe
carriedoutbydulyauthorizedandcompetentpersons.Suchoperationsmustbeorganizedand
performedinsuchawaythatthereisnorisktoworkers.
1.7.Trafficroutes
J
1.7.1.Itmustbepossibletoreachworkstationsandworkplaceswithoutdangerandtoleavethem
quicklyandsafelyinanemergency .
1.7.2.Trafficroutes,bothforvehiclesandforworkers,mustbesolocatedandofsuchdimensions
thattheyaresafe.
1.7.3.Thedimensionsoftrafficroutesforpersons,productsand/orequipmentmustbesuitableforthe
numberofpotentialusersandthetypeofundertaking .
Allmeasuresmustbetakentoensurethesafetyandhealthofpedestriansandworkersemployed
onorinthevicinityoftrafficroutes.
1.7.4.Sufficientclearancemustbeallowedbetweenvehicletrafficroutesanddoors,gates,footpaths,
corridorsandstaircases .
1.7.5.Wheretheuseandequipmentofroomssorequire,trafficoraccessroutesmustbeclearly
identifiedfortheprotectionofworkers.
1.7.6.Wherevehiclesormachinesenterworkplaces,trafficregulationsmustbeestablishedas
necessary .
1.8.Outdoorworkplaces
Whereworkersareemployedatworkstationsoutdoors,suchworkstationsmustasfaras
possiblebearrangedsothatworkersareprotectedagainstinclementweather.
1.9.Dangerousareas
1.9.1.Areaswherethereisaparticularhazardmustbeindicated,andwarningsignsplaced.
1.9.2.Unauthorized accesstoworkplaceswithdangerousareas,includingthosewherethereisarisk
ofobjectsorworkersfalling,mustwherepossiblebeprevented.
1.9.3.Appropriatemeasuresmustbetakentoensureprotectionofthehealthandsafetyofworkers
authorizedtoenterdangerousareas.
1.10.Emergencyroutesandexits
1.10.1.Intheeventofdanger,itmustbepossibleforworkerstoevacuatetheworkstationand,if
necessary,theworkplacequicklyandassafelyaspossible.

5.3.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC58/11
1.10.2.Emergencyroutesandexitsmustremainclearandleadasdirectlyaspossibletotheopenair,to
asafearea,asafeassemblypointortoanabandonmentstation.
1.10.3.Thenumber,distributionanddimensionsoftheemergencyroutesandexitsdependontheuse,
equipmentanddimensionsoftheWorkplacesandthemaximumnumberofpersonsthatmaybe
present.
1.10.4.Emergencydoorsmusteitheropenoutwardsor,ifthisisnotpossible,bedesignedassliding
doors.
1.10.5.Emergencydoorsshouldnotbesolockedorfastenedthattheycannotbeeasilyand
immediatelyopenedbyanypersonwhomayrequiretousetheminanemergency .
1.10.6.Emergencydoorsmustnotbelockedbykey.Theemergencyroutesandexits,andthetraffic
routesanddoorsgivingaccesstothem,mustbefreefromobstructionsothattheycanbeused
atanytimewithouthindrance .
1.10.7.Emergencyroutesandexitsrequiringilluminationmustbeprovidedwithemergencylightingof
adequateintensityincasethelightingfails.
1.10.8.Specificemergencyroutesandexitsmustbeindicatedbysigns.
1.11.Meansofevacuationandescape
1.11.1.Workersmustbetrainedintheappropriateactiontobetakeninemergencies .
1.11.2.Rescueequipmentmustbekeptreadyforuseatappropriatelysitedplaceswhicharereadily
accessibleandsignposted .
1.11.3.Whereescaperoutesmaypassthroughareassusceptibletoirrespirableatmospheres ,self-rescue
apparatusappropriatetotheriskandconditionsofescapemustbeprovidedattheworkstation .
1.12.Safetyexercises
Safetyexercisesmustbeheldatworkplacesatregularintervals.Themainpurposeofthese
exercisesistoinstructandexaminepersonstowhomdutieshavebeenassignedintheeventof
emergency,involvingtheuse,handlingoroperationofemergencyequipment.Whererelevant,
thesepersonsmustalsobeabletopractisethecorrectuse,handlingoroperationofthat
equipment .
1.13.Firstaidfacilities
1.13.1.Firstaidequipmentmustbeavailableinallplaceswhereworkingconditionsrequireitandmust
beappropriatetotheoperation.
Thisequipmentmustbeindicatedbysuitablesignsandeasilyaccessible.
1.13.2.Whereappropriate,asuitableroomwherefirstaidcanbeadministeredtoinjuredpersonsmust
beprovided.Clearlyvisiblefirstaidinstructionsintheeventofaccidentsmustbedisplayedin
thisroom.
Firstaidroomsmustbeprovidedwithessentialfirstaidinstallationsandequipmentandbe
easilyaccessibleforstretchers.Theymustbeindicatedbysuitablesigns.
1.13.3.Asufficientnumberofpersonsmustbegivenbasicandcontinuoustraininginfirstaid.

NoC58/12 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 5.3.92
1.14.Lighting
1.14.1.Workplacesmustasfaraspossiblereceivesufficientnaturallightandbeequippedwithartificial
lightingadequatefortheprotectionofworkers'safetyandhealth.
1.14.2.Lightinginstallationsmustbeplacedinsuchawaythatthereisnoriskofaccidenttoworkersas
aresultofthetypeoflightingfitted.
1.14.3.Workplacesandworkstationswhereworkersareparticularlyexposedtorisksintheeventof
failureofartificiallightingmustbeprovidedwithemergencylightingofadequateintensity,or
workersmustbeprovidedwithapersonallamp.
1.15.Changingroomsandsanitaryinstallations
1.15.1.Changingrooms
1.15.1.1.Appropriatechangingroomsmustbeprovidedforworkersiftheyhavetowearspecialwork
clothesandwhere,forreasonsofhygieneorpropriety,theycannotbeexpectedtochangein
anotherroom.Changingroomsmustbeeasilyaccessible,havesufficientcapacityandbe
providedwithseating.
1.15.1.2.Changingroomsmustbesufficientlylargeandhavefacilitiestoenableallworkerstolockaway
theirclothesduringworkinghours.Provisionmustbemadetoenablewetworkingclothestobe
dried.
Ifcircumstances sorequire(e.g.dangeroussubstances,humidity,dirt),changingroomsforwork
clothesmustbeseparatefromthoseforordinaryclothes.
1.15.1.3.Provisionmustbemadeforseparatechangingroomsorseparateuseofchangingroomsformen
andwomen.
1.15.1.4.Ifchangingroomsarenotrequiredunderpoint1.15.1.1,allworkersmustbeprovidedwitha
placetostoretheirclothes.
1.15.2.Showersandwashingfacilities
1.15.2.1.Whererequiredbythenatureoftheworkorforhygienicreasons,anadequatenumberof
suitableshowersmustbeprovidedforworkers.
Provisionmustbemadeforeitherseparateshowerroomsorseparateuseofshowerroomsfor
menandwomen.
1.15.2.2.Showerroomsmustpermiteachworkertowashwithouthindranceinsuitablyhygienic
conditionsandmustbeequippedwithhotandcoldwater.
1.15.2.3.Ifshowersarenotrequiredunderpoint1.15.2.1,anadequatenumberofsuitablewashbasins
withhotandcoldwatermustbeprovidedinthevicinityofthechangingrooms.
1.15.2.4.Wheretheroomshousingtheshowersorwashbasinsareseparatefromthechangingrooms,
theremustbeeasycommunication betweenthetwo.
1.16.Overburdenandothertips
Overburden,dumps,spoilheapsandothertips,aswellassettlinglagoons,mustbedesigned,
constructed,operatedandmaintainedinsuchawayastoensuretheirstability,aswellasthe
safetyandhealthofworkers.

NoC58/13 5.3.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities
2.SPECIALREQUIREMENTS APPLICABLETOANCILLARYSURFACEINSTALLATIONS
OFMINESANDQUARRIES
2.1.Stabilityandsolidity
Ancillarysurfaceinstallationshousingworkstationsmusthaveastructureandsolidityappro­
priatetothenatureoftheiruse.
2.2.Floors,walls,ceilingsandroofs
2.2.1.Floorsmustbefixed,stable,non-slip,smoothandfreeofdangerousholesordangerousslopes.
Roomscontainingworkstationsmusthaveadequatethermalinsulation,bearinginmindthe
natureoftheworkinvolvedandthephysicalactivityoftheworkers.
Thesurfacesoffloors,wallsandceilingsmustbesuchthattheycanbekeptatanappropriate
standardofhygiene.
2.2.2.Transparentortranslucentwalls(particularlyglasspartitionsinthevicinityofworkstationsand
trafficroutes)mustbeclearlyindicated.Theymustbemadeofsafetymaterialsorbeshielded
fromworkstationsandtrafficroutestopreventworkersfromcomingintocontactwiththemor
beinginjuredintheeventofbreakage.
2.2.3.Accesstoroofsmadeofmaterialsofinsufficientstrengthmustnotbepermittedunless
equipmentisprovidedtoensurethattheworkcanbecarriedoutinasafemanner.
2.3.Roomdimensions
2.3.1.Workstationsmustwhereverpossiblehavesufficientfloorareaandheighttoallowworkersto
performtheirworkwithoutrisktotheirsafety,healthorwell-being.
2.3.2.Thespaceavailabletoworkersattheirworkstationmustwhereverpossiblepermitsufficient
freedomofmovementandallowthemtoperformtheirworksafely.
2.4.Windowsandskylights
2.4.1.Windows,skylightsandventilationdeviceswhicharemeanttobeopened,adjustedorsecured
mustbedesignedsothattheseoperationscanbecarriedoutsafely.
2.4.2.Theymustnotbepositionedsoastoconstituteahazardtoworkerswhenopen.
2.4.3.Itmustbepossible,withtheappropriateequipment,tocleanwindowsandskylightswithout
risk.
2.5.Doorsandgates
2.5.1.Theposition,numberanddimensionsofdoorsandgates,andthematerialsusedintheir
constructionmustbedeterminedbythenatureanduseoftheroomsorareas.
2.5.2.Transparentdoorsandgatesmustbemarkedateyelevel.
2.5.3.Swingdoorsandgatesmustbetransparentorhavesuitablesee-throughpanels.
2.5.4.Wherethereisadangerthatworkersmaybeinjuredifdoorsorgateswithtransparentor
translucentsurfacesbreak,suchsurfacesmustbeprotectedagainstthisrisk.

5.3.92 NoC58/14 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities
2.5.5.Slidingdoorsmustbefittedwithsafetydevicestopreventthemfrombeingderailedandfalling
over.
2.5.6.Doorsandgatesopeningupwardsmustbefittedwithamechanismtosecurethemagainst
fallingbackaccidentally .
2.5.7.Doorsalongescaperoutesmustbeappropriatelymarked.Itmustbepossibletoopenthemat
anytime.
2.5.8.Doorsforpedestriansmustbeprovidedintheimmediatevicinityofanygatesintendedprimarily
forvehicletraffic,unlessitissafeforpedestrianstopassthroughsuchgates.Suchdoorsmustbe
clearlymarkedandkeptfreeofobstruction .
2.5.9.Mechanicaldoorsandgatesmustfunctioninsuchawaythatthereisnoriskofaccidentto
workers.
Theymustbefittedwitheasilyidentifiableandaccessibleemergencystopdevices.Unlessthey
openautomatically ,intheeventofapowerfailureitmustalsobepossibletoopenthem
manually.
2.6.Ventilationofrooms
2.6.1.Stepsshallbetakentoensurethatthereissufficientfreshairinrooms,havingregardtothe
workingmethodsusedandthephysicaldemandsplacedontheworkers.
Ifaventilationsystemisused,itshallbemaintainedingoodworkingorder.Anybreakdown
mustbeindicatedbyacontrolsystemwherethisisnecessaryforworkers'health.
2.6.2.Anyair-conditioning ormechanicalventilationinstallationsmustfunctioninsuchawaythat
workersarenotexposedtodraughtswhichcausediscomfort .
Anydepositordirtlikelytocreateanimmediatedangertothehealthofworkersbypolluting
theatmospheremustberemovedwithoutdelay.
2.7.Roomtemperature
2.7.1.Duringworkinghours,thetemperatureinroomscontainingworkstationsmustbesuitablefor
workers,havingregardtotheworkingmethodsbeingusedandthephysicaldemandsplacedon
theworkers.
2.7.2.Thetemperatureinrestareas,roomsfordutystaff,sanitaryfacilities,canteensandfirstaid
roomsmustbeappropriatetotheparticularpurposeofsuchareas.
2.7.3.Windows,skylightsandglasspartitionsshouldavoidtheexcessiveeffectsofsunlightatwork­
stations,havingregardtothenatureoftheworkandworkstations .
2.8.Rest-rooms—Sanitaryinstallations
2.8.1.Rest-rooms
2.8.1.1.Wherethesafety,healthornumberofworkerssorequires,workersmustbeprovidedwithan
easilyaccessiblerest-room.
Thisprovisiondoesnotapplywheretheworkersareemployedinofficesorsimilarworkrooms
offeringequivalentrelaxationduringbreaks.
2.8.1.2.Rest-roomsmustbelargeenoughforthenumberofworkersandequippedwithanadequate
numberoftablesandseatswithbacks.
2.8.1.3.Appropriatemeasuresmustbetakeninrest-roomsfortheprotectionofnon-smokersagainst
tobaccosmoke.

5.3.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC58/15
2.8.1.4.Ifworkinghoursareregularlyandfrequentlyinterruptedandthereisnorest-room,other
roomsmustbeprovidedinwhichworkerscanstayduringsuchinterruptions ,whereverthisis
necessaryfortheirsafetyorhealth.
2.8.2.Lavatoriesandwashbasins
2.8.2.1.Separatefacilitiesmustbeprovidedinthevicinityofworkstations ,rest-rooms,changingrooms
androomshousingshowersorwashbasins,withanadequatenumberoflavatoriesandwash­
basins.
2.8.2.2.Provisionmustbemadeforseparatelavatoriesorseparateuseoflavatoriesformenandwomen.
3.SPECIALREQUIREMENTS APPLICABLETOSURFACEWORKINGS
3.1.General
Surfaceworkingstowhichworkershaveaccessmustbedesigned,equipped,operated,
monitoredandmaintainedsothatasfaraspossiblethereisnodangertoworkers.
3.2.Operation
3.2.1.Operationsmustnotbeundertakenunlessadocumentspecifyingtherequirementsforworkers
safetyandhealthprotectionhasbeenprepared.Thisdocumentmustbebroughtuptodate
periodicallyandheldavailableattheworkplace.
Workmustbecarriedoutinaccordancewiththisdocument .
3.2.2.Workmustbeplannedtakingintoaccounttheriskoffallsorslipsofground.Inparticular,the
heightandslopeofoverburdenstrippingandextractionfacesmustbeappropriatetothenature
andstabilityofthegroundandthemethodsofworking.
Benchesandhaulroadsmustbestableenoughfortheplantused.Theymustbeconstructedand
maintainedinsuchawaythatplantcanbemovedsafely.
3.2.3.Beforethestartorre-startofwork,strippingandextractionfacesaboveworkareasorhaul
roadsmustbecheckedforloosegroundorrocks,andscalingmustbecarriedoutwhere
necessary .
3.2.4.Facesandtipsmustnotbeworkedinsuchawaythatunstableoverhangsarecreated.
4.SPECIALREQUIREMENTS APPLICABLETOUNDERGROUND WORKINGS
4.1.General
Undergroundworkingstowhichworkershaveaccessmustbedesigned,equipped,operated,
monitoredandmaintainedsothatasfaraspossiblethereisnodangertoworkers.
4.2.Operation
4.2.1.Operationsmustnotbeundertakenunlessadocumentspecifyingtherequirementsforworkers'
safetyandhealthprotectionhasbeenprepared.
Workmustbecarriedoutinaccordancewiththisdocument .

NoC58/16 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 5.3.92
4.2.2.Plansofundergroundworkingsdrawntoascalewhichprovidesaclearrepresentation mustbe
prepared.Inadditiontoroadwaysandwinningareas,theymustshowtheknownfeatureswhich
mayinfluenceworkingandsafety.Theymustbereadilyaccessibleandmustbekeptforaslong
asisnecessaryforsafetypurposes.
4.2.3.Thedocumentandplansmustbebroughtuptodateperiodicallyandheldavailableatthe
workplace .
4.3.Outlets
Allminesmusthaveaccesstothesurfaceviaatleasttwoseparateoutletswhicharesoundly
constructedandreadilyaccessibletoundergroundworkers.
Mechanicalman-windingorman-ridingfacilitiesmustbeavailablefortheseoutletsif
considerablephysicaleffortisinvolvedinnegotiatingthem.
4.4.Workings
Workingsmustbeconstructed,equipped,operatedandmaintainedsothatworkerscanwork
andmoveinthemwithaminimumofrisk.
Roadwaysmustbesignpostedtohelpworkerstofindtheirwayabouttheworkings.
4.5.Transport
4.5.1.Transportfacilitiesmustbeinstalled,operatedandmaintainedinsuchawayastoensurethe
safetyandhealthofdrivers,usersandotherpersonsinthevicinity.
4.5.2.Mechanicalman-windingorman-ridingfacilitiesmustbeproperlyinstalledandusedin
accordancewithwritteninstructions .
4.6.Supportandgroundstability
Supportmustbeprovidedassoonaspossibleafterexcavation,exceptwherethestabilityofthe
groundmakesitunnecessaryforthesafetyofworkers.Supportmustbeinstalledinaccordance
withplansandwritteninstructions .
Workingsaccessibletoworkersmustbeinspectedregularlyforgroundstability,andsupport
maintainedaccordingly .
4.7.Ventilation
4.7.1.Allundergroundworkingstowhichaccessispermittedmustbeventilatedinanappropriate
manner .
Continuousventilationmustbeprovidedtomaintain,withanadequatesafetymargin:
—ahealthyatmosphere,
—anatmosphereinwhichtherisksofexplosionarekeptundercontrol,
—anatmosphereinwhichworkingconditionsareadequatewhileworkisinprogress,having
regardtotheworkingmethodsbeingusedandthephysicaldemandsplacedontheworkers.

NoC58/17 5.3.92 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities
4.7.2.Wheretherequirementsofpoint4.7.1cannotbemetbynaturalventilation,themainventilation
mustbeprovidedbymeansofoneormoremechanicalfans.
Stepsmustbetakentoensurestableandcontinuousventilation.
Thedepressionofthemainfansmustbemonitoredcontinuously ,andanautomaticalarmmust
indicateunscheduledstoppages.
4.7.3.Theventilationparametersmustbemeasuredperiodicallyandrecorded.Aventilationplan
containingthepertinentdetailsoftheventilationsystemmustbeprepared,broughtuptodate
periodicallyandheldavailableattheworkplace.
4.8.Gassymines
4.8.1.Anundergroundmineisregardedasgassyiffiredampislikelytobereleasedinsuchaquantity
thattheriskofformationofanexplosiveatmospherecannotbeexcluded.
4.8.2.Themainventilationmustbeprovidedbyoneormoremechanicalfans.
4.8.3.Miningmustproceedtakingaccountoffiredampemission.Stepsmustbetakentoeliminateas
faraspossibletherisksarisingfromfiredamp.
4.8.4.Auxiliaryventilationmustbelimitedtodevelopmentandsalvageworkandtoplaceswitha
directconnectiontothemainventilationcurrent.
Productionworkingsmaybeventilatedbyauxiliarysystemsonlyifappropriateadditional
measuresaretakentoensurethesafetyandhealthofworkers.
4.8.5.Theventilationmeasurementsreferredtounderpoint4.7.3mustbesupplementedbyfiredamp
determinations .
Firedampslevelsmustalsobepermanentlymonitoredinreturnairwaysfromproductionunits
usingmechanizedextractionorunderwinningandattheheadendsofmechanizedblindend
workings,takingintoaccounttheresultoftheriskevaluationexercisecarriedoutinaccordance
withArticles6,9,and10ofDirective89/391/EEC.
4.8.6.Onlyexplosivesandinitiatingdevicesspecificallyforgassyminesmaybeused.
4.8.7.Theprovisionsofpoint1.5.1.2arereplacedasfollows:
—smoking,carryingtobaccoforsmokingandanyobjectswhichmaybeusedtoproducea
flameareprohibited,
—flamecutting,weldingandothersimilaroperationsarepermittedonlyinexceptionalcircum­
stancesandsubjecttospecificmeasuresensuringthesafetyandhealthoftheworkers.
4.9.Flammabledusts
4.9.1.Coalminesareconsideredtobesusceptibletoflammabledustsexceptwheretheresultofthe
riskevaluationexercisecarriedoutinaccordancewithDirective89/391/EECshowsthatnone
oftheseamsbeingworkedcontainsdustliabletopropagateanexplosion.
Theprovisionsofpoints4.8.6and4.8.7applymutatismutandis. 4.9.2.
4.9.3.Stepsmustbetakentoreduceflammabledustdeposits,andtoremove,neutralizeorbindthe
same.

NoC58/18 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 5.3.92
4.9.4.Propagationofflammabledustand/orfiredampexplosionswhichareliabletotriggerfurther
flammabledustexplosionsmustbelimitedbyinstallingasystemofexplosionbarriers,the
locationsofwhichmustbeindicatedinadocumentwhichisbroughtuptodateperiodicallyand
heldavailableattheworkplace.
4.10.Minessusceptibletogasoutbursts,rockburstsorwaterinrushes
4.10.1.Inpartsofminessusceptibletogasoutbursts(withorwithouttheprojectionofmineralsor
rock),rockburstsorwaterinrushes,anoperatingplanmustbedrawnupandimplementedsoas
toensure,asfaraspossible,asafesystemofworkandtheprotectionofworkers.
4.10.2.Measuresmustbetakentoidentifyriskzones,protectworkersinworkingsapproachingor
traversingthesezones,andcontroltherisks.
4.11.Fires,combustionsandheatings
4.11.1.Provisionmustbemadeforthepreventionand,whereappropriate,theearlydetectionofspon­
taneouscombustion .
4.11.2.Flammablematerialstakenintoundergroundworkingsmustbelimitedtothequantitieswhich
arestrictlynecessary.
4.12.Precautionsforwithdrawalofworkers
Sothattheycanwithdrawinsafety,workersmust,wherenecessary,beprovidedwithself­
rescuerespiratoryprotectiondeviceswhichtheymustalwayskeepwithintheirreach.Workers
mustbetrainedintheuseofthesedevices,whichmustremainatthemineandbechecked
regularlytoensurethattheyareingoodcondition.
4.13.Lighting
Theprovisionsofpoint1.13arereplacedasfollows:
—workersmustbeprovidedwithasuitablepersonallamp,
—workstationsmustasfaraspossiblebeequippedwithartiticallightingadequateforthe
protectionofworkers'safetyandhealth,
—lightinginstallationsmustbeplacedinsuchawaythatthereisnoriskofaccidenttoworkers
asaresultofthetypefitted.
4.14.Undergroundworkforceaccounting
Itmustbepossibletoknowexactlywhoisundergroundatanytime.
4.15.Rescueorganization
Inordertoenablesuitableactiontobetakenrapidlyandeffectivelyintheeventofamajor
incident,anadequaterescueorganizationmustbeavailabletoactatanysitewhereunder­
groundextractionorexploratoryworkingsareinprogress.Therescueorganizationmusthave
sufficienttrainedrescueworkersandadequaterescueequipmentatitsdisposal.