26. 4. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 106/13 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
COMMISSION 
Amended proposal for a Council Directive concerning the minimum safety and health 
requirements for the use by workers of machines, equipment and installations (') 
(Second individual Directive falling within the terms of Article 16 of Directive . . .) 
COM(89) 85 final — SYN 125 
(Submitted by the Commission pursuant to Article 149 (3) of the EEC Treaty on 22 March 1989) 
(89/C 106/05) 
(') OJ No C 114, 30. 4. 1988, p. 3 (COM(89) 86 and COM(89) 87 will be published in OJ No C 115, 
8. 5. 1989). 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL 
COM(88) 75 final 
OJ No C 114 of 30. 4. 1988 AMENDED COMMISSION PROPOSAL FOLLOWING 
THE OPINION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 
OF 16 NOVEMBER 1988 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 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 Commission proposal drawn up 
after consultation with the Advisory Committee for 
Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee, 
In cooperation with the European Parliament, 
Whereas Article 118A of the EEC Treaty provides that 
the Council shall issue Directives containing minimum 
requirements designed to encourage improvements, 
especially in the working environment, as regards the 
health and safety of workers; Whereas Article 118A of .the Treaty provides that the 
Council shall issue Directives containing minimum 
requirements designed to encourage improvements, 
especially in the working environment, to guarantee a 
better degree of protection for the health and safety of 
workers; 
Whereas Article 118A also recommends that Directives 
shall avoid imposing administrative, financial and legal 
constraints which would hold back the creation and 
development of SMUs; Omitted 
No C 106/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 4. 89 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 
Whereas the communication from the Commission on its 
programme concerning safety, hygiene and health at 
work provides for the adoption of Directives designed to 
guarantee the safety and health of workers; Whereas the communication from the Commission on its 
programme concerning safety, hygiene and health at 
work provides for the adoption of a Directive on the use 
of work equipment at work; 
Whereas the Council resolution of 21 December 1987 
concerning safety, hygiene and health at the workplace 
noted the Commission's intention to present to it in the 
near future minimum requirements concerning the safety 
and health of workers at work; Whereas, in its resolution of 21 December 1987 
concerning safety, hygiene and health at the workplace, 
the Council noted the Commission's intention to present 
to it in the near future minimum requirements relating to 
the organization of health and safety at the workplace; 
Whereas it is incumbent on Member States to ensure the 
safety and health of persons, in particular workers, 
within their national territory; Omitted 
Whereas the completion of the internal market entails 
the drawing up of Directives based on Article 100A, in 
accordance with the new approach to harmonization and 
standardization, making compliance with essential safety 
requirements for the design, manufacture or construction 
of products a condition for their sale and free movement 
throughout the Community and in view of the fact that 
these products include several types of work equipment, 
in particular machines; Unchanged 
Whereas the Member States have very different systems 
of legislation on safety and health at work; whereas 
national provisions on the subject, which often include 
technical specifications and/or self-regulatory standards, 
may result in different levels of safety and health 
protection and distort competition; Omitted 
Whereas compliance with the minimum health and safety 
requirements for the use of work equipment is essential 
to ensure the safety and health of workers and to 
promote fair competition; Whereas compliance with the minimum requirements 
guaranteeing better safety and health during the use of 
work equipment is essential to ensure the safety and 
health of workers and whereas these requirements are 
also essential to promote fair competition; 
Whereas there is a need to supplement the Directives 
referred to in Article 100A the scope of which is 
confined to the initial placing of products on the 
Community market, with minimum requirements 
concerning safety and health during the use of all work 
equipment; Unchanged 
Whereas this Directive covers the social aspects of the 
various technical harmonization Directives designed to 
complete the internal market for work equipment; Unchanged 
26. 4. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 106/15 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 
Whereas this Directive is an individual Directive within 
the meaning of Article 16 of the Directive on the intro­
duction of measures to encourage improvements in the 
safety and health of workers at the workplace, and 
whereas the provisions of the latter Directive are 
therefore wholly applicable to the use by workers of 
work equipment at the workplace, without prejudice to 
more stringent and/or specific provisions contained in 
this Directive; 
Whereas this Directive is designed to protect the safety 
and health of workers by laying down essential minimum 
requirements, without impeding the retention or 
institution by each Member State of specific measures for 
safer working conditions; Omitted 
Whereas these requirements should not entail alterations 
to work equipment covered by Community Directives 
which concern health and safety aspects of work 
equipment design and construction; Whereas the requirements contained in this Directive 
should not entail alterations to work equipment covered 
by Community Directives which concern health and 
safety aspects of work equipment design and 
construction; 
Whereas under Council Directive 83/189/EEC (') of 
28 March 1983 laying down a procedure for the 
provision of information in the field of technical 
standards and regulations Member States are required to 
notify the Commission of any draft technical regulations 
relating to machines, equipment and installations; Whereas under Council Directive 83/189/EEC (') laying 
down a procedure for the provision of information in the 
field of technical standards and regulations Member 
States are required to notify the Commission of any 
draft technical regulations relating to machines, 
equipment and installations; 
Whereas the employers' obligations under the Directive 
concerning the implementation of measures to encourage 
the improvement of the safety and health of workers at 
work must be supplemented by special measures for 
work equipment; Omitted 
Whereas it is important to ensure adequate consultation 
with both sides of industry, and in particular with 
workers' organizations, on the technical work relating to 
this Directive; Omitted 
Whereas it is important to encourage cooperation 
between management and labour with regard to decision 
making and measures concerned with the protection of 
safety and health at the workplace, at all levels; Omitted 
Whereas there is a need for a committee to assist the 
Commission in implementing supplementary measures 
provided for by the Directive, Omitted 
(') OJ No L 109, 26. 4. 1983, p. 8. 
No C 106/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 4. 89 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 
Whereas under Decision 74/325/EEC ('), the Advisory 
Committee for Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at 
Work is being consulted by the Commission for the 
purpose of drafting proposals in this field, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 
Subject Subject 
Article 1 
1. This Directive, which is an individual Directive 
within the meaning of Article 13 of Directive . . ., lays 
down minimum requirements for safety and health and 
for the use of work equipment, as defined in Article 2. Article 1 
1. This Directive, which is an individual Directive 
within the meaning of Article 16 of the Directive 
concerning the implementation of measures to encourage 
the improvement of the safety and health of workers at 
work, lays down minimum requirements for safety and 
health during the use of work equipment, as defined in 
Article 2. 
2. This Directive does not impede the retention or 
institution by each Member State of more stringent 
protection measures for working conditions compatible 
with the Treaty. Omitted 
2. This Directive applies to work equipment used at 
the workplace. It constitutes a supplement to the Council 
Directives on the approximation of the laws of the 
Member States on work equipment. 
3. The provisions of the Directive referred to in 
paragraph 1 are wholly applicable to the use by workers 
of work equipment at the workplace, without prejudice 
to more stringent and/or specific provisions contained in 
this Directive. 
Definitions Definitions 
Article 2 
For the purposes of this Directive, the following terms 
have the meanings hereby assigned to them: Article 2 
Unchanged 
'workplace': any place accessible to a worker in the 
undertaking and/or establishment; Omitted 
'work equipment': machines, equipment or instal­
lations which may constitute a safety or health 
hazard for workers; Unchanged 
(') OJ No L 185, 9. 7. 1974. 
26. 4. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 106/17 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL 
— 'undertaking and/or establishment': a public- or 
private-sector establishment engaged in industrial, 
agricultural, commercial, administrative, service, 
educational or cultural activities; 
— 'worker': a person doing work of any sort, including 
students undergoing training and apprentices. 
Article 3 
1. The Member States shall take all useful measures to 
ensure that the employer fulfils the obligations set out in 
this Directive concerning the use of work equipment. 
2. The Member States shall carry out any necessary 
checks in accordance with paragraph 1. 
Article 4 
1. Work equipment existing and used at the time of 
entry into force of this Directive must satisfy the 
minimum conditions laid down concerning them in 
Annex I, at the latest five years after the entry into force 
of this Directive, without prejudice to the application of 
the Community provisions concerning health and safety 
aspects of the design and construction of work 
equipment. 
2. Second-hand work equipment placed on the market 
after the entry into force of this Directive must satisfy 
the minimum requirements laid down concerning them 
in Annex I once the national provisions taken in 
compliance with this Directive enter into force, without 
prejudice to the application of the Community provisions 
concerning health and safety aspects of the design and 
construction of work equipment. 
3. In selecting the work equipment which he proposes 
to use, the employer shall pay particular attention to the 
hazards this equipment presents to the safety and health 
of the workers, taking into account the specific charac­
teristics of the undertaking. 
4. The employer shall ensure that the equipment 
mentioned in paragraph 3 is safe, taking into account the 
specific conditions of use in the undertaking: 
(a) when ordering such equipment; AMENDED PROPOSAL 
Omitted 
Omitted 
Article 3 
Omitted 
The Member States shall provide adequate checks and 
supervision to ensure the implementation of this 
Directive. 
Unchanged 
(b) at the time of delivery and commissioning; 
No C 106/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 4. 89 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 
(c) during use; 
(d) during maintenance, repair or conversion work 
which affects or may affect safety. 
5. Annex II contains non-comprehensive guidelines 
relating to the provisions contained in paragraphs 3 and 4. 
Article 5 
1. The workers shall have at their disposal written 
instructions concerning all the work equipment commis­
sioned after the entry into force of the national 
provisions issued under this Directive. Article 5 
1. The workers shall have at their disposal written 
instructions concerning all the equipment installed at 
their workplace at the time of, and after the entry into 
force of, the national provisions issued under this 
Directive. Where the equipment in question is already in 
use at the relevant time, the employer must provide 
workers with written instructions based on experience 
with the equipment and on the basic information 
supplied by the manufacturer. 
2. In the case of work equipment already installed at 
the workplace at the time of entry into force of the 
national provisions issued under this Directive, the 
employer shall, as far as possible, provide the workers 
concerned with written instructions. Omitted 
3. The written instructions must at least contain 
adequate safety and health information concerning: Beginning unchanged, becomes paragraph 2 
— the normal conditions for using the work equipment, 
— handling, installation, assembly, adjustment and 
maintenance of the work equipment. 
— possible abnormal situations. 
These written instructions must be made available, 
whenever possible, in the languages of the workers 
concerned. These written instructions must be comprehensible for all 
workers. 
Article 6 
1. The workers or their representatives shall be 
consulted on the health and safety aspects: 
on the basis of Annex I in the case of existing work 
equipment, 
on the basis of Annexes I and II in the case of 
second-hand equipment placed on the market, 
on the basis of Annex II for the purchase of new 
work equipment. Article 6 
1. With regard to the use of work equipment, in 
accordance with Article 11 of the Directive referred to in 
Article 1 (1) of this Directive, the workers or their repre­
sentatives shall be consulted on the health and safety 
aspects: 
remainder of (1) unchanged. 
26. 4. 89 Official Journal of the 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL 
2. Whenever, in the opinion of the workers or their 
representatives, the measures taken by the employer to 
ensure the safety of existing, used or future work 
equipment are not sufficient, they may request a visit by 
the authority responsible for safety and health at work. 
Changes to the Annexes 
Article 7 
1. The Commission shall make changes to the 
Annexes of the present Directive as a result of: 
— the adoption of Directives on technical harmon­
ization and standardization of the design, manu­
facture or construction of work equipment; 
— technical progress, changes in international regu­
lations or specifications and know-how in the field. 
2. In making the changes referred to in the first 
paragraph, the Commission shall be assisted by a 
committee and shall follow the procedure set out in 
Article 14 of Directive . . . 
Final provisions 
Article 8 
1. The Member States shall bring into force the laws, 
regulations and administrative provisions necessary to 
comply with this Directive by 1 January 1991 at the 
latest. They shall immediately notify the Commission. 
2. The Member States shall forward to the 
Commission the text of the national provisions which 
they are adopting in the field governed by this Directive. 
3. At two-yearly intervals, the Member States shall 
report to the Commission on the practical implemen­
tation of the provisions of this Directive concerning 
work equipment, indicating the opinions of the two sides 
of industry. The Commission shall inform the Committee 
and tripartite Committee. European Communities No C 106/19 
AMENDED PROPOSAL 
Unchanged 
3. The authority responsible for safety and health at 
work shall take the measures necessary to encourage the 
implementation and application of paragraph 1 in the 
undertaking. 
Changes to the Annexes 
Article 7 
With regard to the changes to be made to Annexes I and 
II as a result of: 
— the adoption of Directives on technical harmon­
ization and standardization of work equipment, 
— technical progress, changes in international regu­
lations or specifications and know-how in the field of 
work equipment. 
The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee and 
shall follow the procedure set out in Article 17 of the 
Directive referred to in Article 1 (1) of this Directive. 
Final provisions 
Article 8 
1. The Member States shall bring into force the laws, 
regulations and administrative provisions necessary to 
comply with this Directive by the scheduled date for the 
entry into force of the Directive on the approximation of 
the laws of the Member States on machines. They shall 
immediately notify the Commission. 
2. The Member States shall forward to the 
Commission the text of the national provisions which 
they have adopted or are adopting in the field governed 
by this Directive. 
3. At five-yearly intervals, the Member States shall 
report to the Commission on the practical implemen­
tation of the provisions of this Directive, indicating the 
opinions of the two sides of industry. The Commission 
shall inform the Council, the European Parliament, the 
Economic and Social Committee, the Advisory 
Committee for Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at 
Work and the Committee provided for in Article 17 of 
the Directive referred to in Article 1 (1) of this Directive. 
No C 106/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 4. 89 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 
4. Any technical regulations which the Member States 
intend to adopt in accordance with this Directive shall be 
forwarded to the Commission at the draft stage in 
accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 8 of 
Council Directive 83/189/EEC of 28 March 1983 laying 
down a procedure for the provision of information in the 
field of technical standards and regulations. 4. The Commission shall report periodically to the 
Council, the European Parliament and the Economic 
and Social Committee on the implementation of the 
Directive, taking account of paragraphs 1 to 3. 
Article 9 
This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Article 9 
ANNEX I ANNEX I 
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS REFERRED TO IN Title unchanged 
ARTICLE 4, PARAGRAPH 1 
The definition of 'machinery' in the Directive concerning the 
design, manufacture and placing on the market of machinery 
(COM(87) 564 final of 14 December 1987; OJ No C 29 of 3. 2. 
1988) is applicable to this Annex. Omitted 
1. MACHINES 1. MACHINES 
Section 1 of this Annex applies to the machines defined in the 
Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member 
States on machines (. . .) 
The controls shall be located outside danger zones and so 
positioned that the operator can monitor all the danger 
zones. Beginning unchanged 
From each workstation it shall be possible to shut down any 
moving parts of a machine which affect the safety of that 
workstation. 
Having regard to the risks associated with the machine and 
the normal shut-down time, the machine shall be fitted with 
an emergency shut-down device. 
An operator shall be able to start or restart the machine only 
by deliberately activating a control provided for this 
purpose, except where an automatic device is working 
normally. 
— Automatic systems and equipment must also have a manual 
start-up device for use in the event of emergency shut­
downs. 
26. 4. 89 Official Journal of the 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL 
— A machine which may constitute a danger, due to objects 
falling or being ejected from it, or to emissions from it shall 
be provided with guards or appropriate means of collection 
and evacuation. 
— A machine which is not sufficiently intrinsically stable shall 
be properly anchored or secured in some other way. 
— The moving parts of a machine shall be protected, if the 
work allows, by a guard to prevent contact with the 
workers. 
— Areas and workplaces intended for the operation or 
servicing of machinery shall be adequately lit for the work 
which is to be carried out. 
— Parts of a machine which have a high or very low 
temperature shall be protected by a guard to prevent contact 
with workers. 
— A machine's warning indicators shall be conspicuous and 
easy to understand. 
— A machine shall not be used for operations or in conditions 
for which it was not designed and for which it is unsuitable. 
— A machine shall be properly maintained to ensure its safe 
operation. Maintenance shall be carried out outside the 
danger zones or during machine shut-down, if this is tech­
nically possible. If any machine has a maintenance log it 
must be kept up-to-date. 
— It shall be possible to insulate a machine from each of its 
power sources. 
— A machine shall bear the markings necessary to ensure safe 
operation European Communities No C 106/21 
AMENDED PROPOSAL 
Unchanged 
Unchanged 
Unchanged 
— Guards to protect workers from moving parts must be 
designed in such a way that, if they are opened or removed, 
the moving parts shut down. During normal operation it 
must be impossible to activate the moving parts if the guard 
is not in place. 
Unchanged 
Unchanged 
Unchanged 
Unchanged 
— A machine shall be properly maintained to ensure its safe 
operation. Maintenance shall be carried out outside the 
danger zones or during machine shut-down, if this is tech­
nically possible. If any machine has a maintenance log it 
must be kept up-to-date. The management must provide 
written instructions for a safe maintenance system for all 
machines. The instructions shall be made available to 
workers and their representatives. 
Unchanged 
Unchanged 
— Warning notices must be placed where they are clearly 
visible to mark all zones or elements which constitute a 
hazard in view of the equipment concerned, its components 
and access to it. 
No C 106/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 4. 89 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 
2. WOOD WORKING MACHINES AND SIMILAR 
EQUIPMENT 
Section 2 of this Annex applies to the wood working machines 
and similar equipment defined in the Directive on the approxi­
mation of the laws of the Member States on machines (. . .). 
The following specific minimum requirements 
supplementary to section 1 of this Annex. 
— Any table on which workpieces are held manually must be 
stable and must not restrict the movements of the item 
concerned, 
— where the tool is part of a machine which is not wholly 
automated, the machine must be designed and constructed 
in such a way as to eliminate and reduce the seriousness of 
accidents to workers, for example by using circular tool 
holders, limiting the depth of cut, etc. 
3. MOVING MACHINES 
ANNEX II ANNEX II 
NON-EXHAUSTIVE GUIDELINES REFERRED 
ARTICLE 4 (5) (CHECK-LIST) TO IN Title unchanged 
The definition of 'machinery' in the Directive concerning the 
design, manufacture and placing on the market of machinery 
(COM(87) 564 final of 14. 12. 1987; OJ C 29 of 3. 2. 1988) is 
applicable to this Annex. Omitted 
A. MACHINES A. MACHINES 
Section A of this Annex applies to the machines defined in the 
Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member 
States on machines (. . .) 
1. General 
1.1. Definition of 
— danger zones and risk factors: in, on and around the 
machine 
— exposed persons: operators and other persons. Unchanged 
26. 4. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 106/23 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 
1.2. General assessment 
— normal conditions of operation and use 
— foreseeable or potential abnormal situations 
— counter-indications for use 
— guards 
— other risks: personal protection 
— safety certification. 
1.3. Materials and products 
risks associated with the materials used for building 
the machine and the products used by the machine: 
mechanical, thermal and chemical properties, welds 
and assemblies, erosion, abrasion and fatigue 
risks associated with the use of fluids: filling, 
recovery, evacuation 
risks associated with the products manufactured. 
1.4. Lighting 
— lighting of the working area: shadow, dazzle, stro-
boscopic effect 
— lighting of inspection, control and maintenance work. 
1.5. Handling 
— risks associated with installation, removal, packing 
and storage 
— problems caused by weight and shape 
— Lifting gear: 
— fixed or mountable attachments to which lifting 
gear can be fixed 
— suitable lifting gear. 
2. Controls 
2.1. Reliability 
— failures 
— switches with positive mode Beginning unchanged 
— effects of errors in maneouvring logic 
— deliberate interference made impossible. Omitted 
2.2. Appearance, arrangement and operation Unchanged 
— visible, indentifiable, appropriately marked 
— coherence between the movement of the control and 
the effect required 
No C 106/24 Official Journal of the 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL 
— outside danger zones 
— risks involved in operating the controls 
— indication of the action required if several different 
actions are possible 
— shape, position, movement and mechanical resistance 
of the control: 
— compatible with the action required 
— compatible with ergonomic rules 
— operator able to see warning signals and monitor 
danger zones from his workstation or, failing that, 
each start-up of the machine preceded by a warning 
signal. 
2.3. Machine start-up 
— starting a machine or restarting after a stoppage only 
possible by deliberate activation of a control (or by 
safe automatic control) 
— risks for operators (vis-a-vis one another) if there is 
more than one start-up control. 
2.4. Machine shut-down 
— normal shut-down: priority over start-up command 
— emergency shut-down 
— if the normal shut-down time is excessive 
— short shut-down time, visible and accessible 
controls, movement 
— engagement — disengagement without restart-up 
— complex installations: normal and emergency 
shut-down stopping the entire machine and all 
equipment upstream and/or downstream. 
2.5. Mode selector 
— if the machine has several control modes and several 
levels of operation, mode selector lockable in each 
position 
— each position corresponding to a single control mode 
or operating level, 
— skilled operators 
— if the machine can be operated with its protection 
devices neutralized: 
— automatic control excluded 
— controls needing sustained action 
— restriction of the operation of the moving parts. European Communities 26. 4. 89 
AMENDED PROPOSAL 
Unchanged 
Unchanged 
Beginning unchanged 
— internal sensors and dangerous movements controlled 
26. 4. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 106/25 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL 
2.6. Power supply, control circuit 
risks associated with interruption, re-establishment, fluc­
tuation and failure of power supply AMENDED PROPOSAL 
2.6. Power supply 
Unchanged 
2.7. Control circuit 
risks associated with a malfunction, deterioration or fault 
affecting the logic circuits 
2.8. Software 
user-friendly design. 
3. Mechanical risks 
3.1. Stability 
— intrinsic stability: through shape, weight distribution, 
centre of gravity; to combat falling, overturning, 
shifting 
— anchorage in the absence of intrinsic stability 
— falling by the operator. Unchanged 
3.2. Break-up during operation 
— parts of the machine and their linkages, tools, cables: 
resistance, anchorage, fatigue, ageing, corrosion, 
abrasion 
— replacement of parts 
protection against fragments. type and frequency of inspection and maintenance, 
replacement of parts 
Unchanged 
3.3. Falling or ejected objects 
— means of protection 
— objects in question: workpieces, materials used, tools. Unchanged 
3.3.(a) combined machines with manual start-up for the workpiece 
concerned after each operation: 
— separate shut-down for each tool, or 
— guards 
3.3.(b) variation in speed of rotation of tools 
dependable, easy selection and regulation. 
3.4. Moving parts 
— sound construction, or 
— guard to prevent contact. Unchanged 
No C 106/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 4. 89 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 
3.5. Guards for moving parts 
A. Movable components of the transmission system 
— fixed guards (see 1.4.1), or 
— movable guards (see 1.4.2) 3.5. Guards for moving parts 
A. Movable components of the transmission system 
— fixed guards (see 4.1 and 4.2.1), or 
— movable guards (see 4.1 and 4.2.2A). 
B. Moving element components which operate concur­
rently with the work itself 
— fixed guards (preferably) (see 1.4.1), or 
— sensitive devices, dual controls, etc. (see 1.4.3) B. Moving element components which operate concur­
rently with the work itself 
— fixed guards (preferably) (see 4.1. and 4:2.1), or 
— movable guards (see 4.1 and 4.2.2B), or 
— protective devices (non-) material guards, dual 
controls etc. (see 4.1 and 4.3). 
C. Moving parts which shall remain accessible 
— fixed guards (see 1.4.1) preventing access to parts 
not used for the work and 
— adjustable guards (see 1.4.4) restricting access to 
parts necessary to carry out the work. C. Moving parts which must remain accessible 
— fixed guards (see 4.1 and 4.2.1) preventing access 
to parts not used for the work and 
— adjustable guards (see 4.1. and 4.2.3) restricting 
access to parts necessary to carry out the work. 
Guards 4. Guards and protective devices 
4.1. General 
— robust 
— must not present additional risks 
— easy to retract or override 
— far enough away from the danger zone 
— effect on view of work 
— easy access for tool maintenance and change, pref­
erably without dismantling. 
4.1. Fixed guards 
— robust 
— fixed firmly in place 
— unopenable without the use of a tool. 4.2. Guards 
4.2.1. Fixed guards 
— fixed firmly in place 
— unopenable without the use of a tool. 
4.2. Removable guards 
— robust 
— remain attached to the machine when opened 
— in open position: 
— the moving parts cannot be set in motion 4.2.2. Removable guards 
Type A 
— remain attached to the machine when opened 
— in open position: 
— the moving parts are prevented from being set in 
motion 
the moving parts are stopped. — the moving parts are stopped. 
26. 4. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 106/27 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL 
4.3. Guards included in the control system (sensitive devices, 
dual controls, etc.) AMENDED PROPOSAL 
Type B (included in the control system) 
— impossibility of setting the moving parts in motion: 
— while the operator can reach them 
— if the guard is faulty or if there is no guard 
— guards sufficiently far away from the moving parts to 
prevent the operator reaching them before they have 
stopped 
— adjustment requiring the use of a tool 
— guards themselves protected against the risk of 
ejection. Remainder unchanged 
4.4. Adjustable guard, restricting access 
— robust, 
— installation (manual or automatic) 
— easy to adjust without the use of a tool 
— risk of ejection 
— risks from the guards themselves 
— obstruction of view of work 
— removal not necessary during normal machine use 
and maintenance. Becomes 4.2.3. 
Adjustable guards restricting access 
— installation (manual or automatic) 
— easy to adjust without the use of a tool 
— risk of ejection. 
4.3. Protective devices 
— impossibility of setting the moving parts in motion 
— while the operator can reach them 
— if any element is missing or breaks down 
— impossibility for the operator to reach the moving 
parts when they are in motion 
— adjustment requiring the use of a tool. 
5. Other risks 
5.1. Surfaces, edges, corners 
No sharp, pointed or rough parts. Unchanged 
No C 106/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 4. 89 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL 
5.2. Electricity supply 
Possibility of contacts; state of cables, anchorages, 
connections, plugs, sockets, insulation, fuses, earthing, 
switches, transformers. AMENDED PROPOSAL 
Unchanged 
5.3. Static electricity 
Dispersal provided for. Unchanged 
5.3.(a) Assembly/reassembly 
— instructions on parts to be assembled if confusion is 
possible 
— avoid errors in connecting up (design or instructions) 
— direction of motion 
5.4. Hydraulic, pneumatic or thermal energy 
Suitable materials for conduits, circuits and containers. Unchanged 
5.5. Extreme temperatures 
— parts and materials 
— measures to: 
— avoid contact 
— avoid proximity. Unchanged 
5.6. Fire 
measures to avoid the risk of fire: machines, gases, 
liquids, dusts, vapours and other substances used or 
produced 
fire-fighting equipment. Unchanged 
5.7. Explosions 
— suitability of the machine for use in a potentially 
explosive atmosphere 
— explosive atmosphere created in and around the 
machine: dusts, gases, vapours, waste materials 
produced by the machine 
— suitability of electrical equipment contained in the 
machine for use in a potentially explosive atmo­
sphere. Beginning unchanged 
suitability of electrical equipment contained in the 
machine for use in a potentially explosive atmo­
sphere; minimize the effect of any explosions. 
5.8. Noise 
— noise produced by the machine 
— actual situation at the workplace. Unchanged 
5.9. Vibrations 
Practical/admissible level Unchanged 
26. 4. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 106/29 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 
5.10. Radiation Unchanged 
— electromagnetic, ionizing and other 
— admissible/practicable level. 
5.10.(a)External radiation 
— effects on operation. 
5.10.(b)Laser equipment 
— monitoring of radiation 
— dependable adjustment and observation devices 
5.11. Other emissions Unchanged 
— gases, liquids, dusts, vapours and other wastes 
— collection or ventilation as close as possible to the 
source 
— evacuation. 
Maintenance Beginning unchanged 
Maintenance 
— adjustment, lubrication and maintenance points: 
outside the danger zones 
— possible while the machine is stopped or without risk 
— for proper assembly and disassembly: information on Omitted 
the parts which could be a source of risk 
— errors in connecting up power and fluid supply Omitted 
avoided through design or instructions. 
— for automated machines 
— equipment for identifying faults 
— where frequent replacement is necessary: appro­
priate technical facilities and methods to be used. 
6.2. Access to intervention points Unchanged 
— platforms, stairs, ladders, catwalks: size, anti-slip 
surface 
— falls of persons and objects: handholds, ramps, guard 
rails. 
6.3. Power supply cut-off Beginning unchanged 
— insulation of the machine from each power supply 
— insulating devices to be clearly identified 
No C 106/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 4. 89 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 
— permanent cut-off of power supply: locking 
— dissipation of residual energy 
6.4. Action by operator 
— frequency 
— easy and safe. 
7. Instructions 
7.1. Warning indicators 
— unambiguous and easy to see 
— measures to ensure permanent effectiveness 
— colours and warning signs. 
7.2. Hazard signs 
— location of risks 
— exposed persons 
— necessary markings 
— shapes, colours, signs, undersanding. 
7.3. Marking 
— requirements: effectiveness, safety 
— legible, indelible. 
7.4. Instructions for operation 
— intelligible 
— adequate. 
B. ERGONOMIC PRINCIPLES CONCERNING 8. Ergonomic principles 
MACHINES 
1. Presentation of the information Becomes 8.1. 
— All information relevant to safety to be displayed to the 
operator 
— Type of display to be compatible with the requirements 
of the user 
— Interpretation of the information displayed to be unam­
biguous 
— Instruments for maintenance and test purposes to be 
located outside the normal field of vision 
— Critical instruments (frequency of use — consequences of 
errors) to lie within the optimal area of vision 
26. 4. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 106/31 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 
Essential displays to include a means of indicating when 
the system is out of order 
Machines and arrangement of multidisplays to 
correspond. 
2. Control functions 
— Type of control to be compatible with function 
— Speed and accuracy of control movement to be geared to 
the capabilities of users 
— Identification of control functions to be clear, to avoid 
confusion in their use 
— Controls critical to safety to be guarded against inad­
vertent operation 
— Rapid recovery from error to be possible 
— Control separation to be geared to the abilities of users, 
taking into account the possible requirement for personal 
protective equipment 
— Controls (size, lay-out, mechanical resistance, inertia) to 
be geared to the physical characteristics of users, and 
allowance made for the possible user of personal 
protective equipment 
— Grouped controls to be mounted centrally below the 
optimal display area. Becomes 8.2. 
3. Mental stress and fatigue 
— Mental load, vigilance, sensory deprivation and isolation 
due to the machine 
— Noise: 
— annoying noise 
— noise liable to mask communication and signals 
— Vibration: vibration levels and impairment of visual or 
manual efficiency. Becomes 8.3. 
4. Physical fatigue 
Working space design and postural demands to be geared 
to the physical attributes of machine operators 
Work rates to be geared to the physiological attributes of 
users. Becomes 8.4. 
No C 106/32 Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 4. 89 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 
B. WOOD-WORKING MACHINES AND SIMILAR 
EQUIPMENT 
Section B of this Annex applies to the wood-working 
machines and similar equipment defined in the Directive on 
the approximation of the laws of the Member States on 
machines. 
The following specific references are supplementary to 
section A of this Annex: 
1. Where the workpiece to be machined is held manually on 
the table 
— table must be stable 
— no obstruction to movement of workpiece. 
2. Risk of ejection of pieces of wood 
— prevent ejection 
— protection. 
3. Unused tools 
— integral protection, or 
— automatic brake with short shut-down time. 
4. Cutting tools 
— depth of cut 
— tool holder. 
C. MOVING MACHINES