COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0MC90) 664 final - SYN 322 
Brussels, 19 December 1990 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
concerning the minimum requirements for the provision of safety 
and/or health signs at work 
(9th) individual Directive within the meaning of Directive 89/391/EEC 
(presented by the Commission) 
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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
Proposal for a Council Directive concerning the minimum requirements for the 
provision of safety and/or health signs at work. 
1 . LEGAL BASIS 
The proposal is based on Article 118a of the EEC Treaty and takes the form of an 
individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 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 the workplace (1). 
The Commission Communication to the Council on its programme concerning safety, 
hygiene and health at work (2) states in Section II, A, (2) c): "The Commission 
will revise the 1977 Directive (3) on safety signs at work to bring it up to 
date and extend its scope". 
The Council noted this action in its Resolution of 21.12.1987 (4). 
Furthermore the proposal is one of the new initiatives announced by the 
Commission in the Communication on its action programme relating to the 
implementation of the Community Charter of Basic Social Rights for Workers (5). 
The proposal forms part of the action planned to cater for the social aspects of 
the completion of the internal market (6). 
2. AIMS OF THE PROPOSAL 
The aims of the proposal are as follows: 
a) Extend ing the scope of CounciI Pi rect ive 77/576/EEC and strengthening some 
of i ts prov is ions 
The aim of Council Directive 77/576/EEC is to ensure that a limited group of 
safety signboards and signs for obstacles and dangerous locations comply with 
certain principles. This proposal aims to make the use of signs compulsory 
under certain conditions and introduces new signboards and other types of 
signs, such as for the location and identification of containers and pipes 
and of fire-fighting equipment, markings for certain traffic routes, luminous 
and acoustic signs, adequate verbal communication and hand signals. 
(1) OJ No L 183, 26.6.1989, p. 1. 
(2) 88/C 28/02 - OJ No C 8, 3.2.1988. 
(3) Council Directive 77/576/EEC (OJ No L 229, 7.9.1977, p. 12), as amended 
by Commission Directive 79/640/EEC (OJ No L 183, 19.7.1979, p. 11). 
(4) 88/C 28/02 - OJ No C 28, 3.2.1988. 
(5) C0M(89) 568 final. 
(6) White Paper - C0M(85) 310 final. 
3 -
The proposal also has the same very broad scope as Directive 89/391 /EEC. It 
therefore covers more undertakings and workers than Directive 77/576/EEC. 
As a result the protection afforded to workers will be improved. 
b) Giving safety and/or health signs appropr iate weight in relat ion to other 
methods of prevent ion 
The proposal does not aim to give priority to signs. On the contrary, its 
first stipulation is that the preventive effect of techniques for mass 
protection or of the measures, methods or procedures used in the organization 
of work should be improved and extended, without the two necessarily being 
mutually exclusive. 
c) Cover ing certa in r isks wh ich may ar ise from the increas ing movement of 
workers wi thin the Communi ty 
The many current discrepancies between the safety and/or health signs used in 
the various Member States present certain risks in connection with the free 
movement of workers. The proposal aims to overcome such risks, particularly 
those arising from linguistic and cultural differences. 
3. JHE PROPOSAL JJN RELATION JO EXISTING NATIONAL LEGISLATION 
a) None of the provisions taken over from Directive 77/576/EEC as amended by 
Directive 79/640/EEC (certain definitions, principles, general provisions and 
signs) will have much, if any, effect on national legislation, since these 
earlier directives have already been incorporated into national law. 
Furthermore, the proposal aims to extend the Community provisions on the 
classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances and 
preparations to containers which are not marketed. In this respect it should 
be noted that the provisions referred to above on marketed containers are 
currently being incorporated into national legislation. 
b) The proposal's provisions on information, training, consultation and 
participation for workers and some of its final provisions contain elements 
which relate specifically to signs, but take exactly the same form as those 
contained in Directive 89/391/EEC and individual Directives 89/654/EEC (7), 
89/655/EEC (8), 89/656/EEC (9), 90/269/EEC (10) and 90/270/EEC (11). 
These new provisions can therefore be incorporated into national legislation 
in the same way; Member States which have already transposed the Directives 
referred to above will have some experience in the matter. 
c) There are major discrepancies in the national legislations of the different 
Member States with regard to the new provisions contained in this proposal. 
(7) OJ No L 393, 30.12.1989, p. 1. 
(8) OJ No L 393, 30.12.1989, p. 13. 
(9) OJ No L 393, 30.12.1989, p. 18. 
(10) OJ Not 156, 21.6.1990, p. 9. 
(11) OJ No L 156, 21.6.1990, p. 14. 
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As regards the use of the new signboards, colours for pipes, markings for 
certain traffic routes, luminous and acoustic signs, verbal communication and 
hand signals, the situations in the Member States tend to vary: all of these 
types of signs exist, but to varying degrees and in differing forms, and they 
are used for different purposes, sometimes generally and sometimes in limited 
fields or sectors. Finally, some are covered by simple, non-binding rules. 
4. CHARACTERISTICS OF IHE PROPOSAL 
a) Directive 77/576/EEC is based on Article 100 of the EEC Treaty. This proposal 
is based on Article 118a of the Treaty, which offers certain new 
possibilities. It therefore repeals and replaces the earlier Directive, while 
incorporating all its technical aspects except for a small number of changes. 
b) The proposal is for an individual Directive under the new legal framework 
established by Directive 89/391/EEC. This means that a number of the 
recitals, the provisions on information, training, consultation and 
participation for workers and/or their representatives and the final 
provisions have all been drafted in accordance with similar provisions 
contained in Directive 89/391/EEC and/or the individual Directives referred 
to in paragraph 3 (b). 
For the same reasons the definitions given in Article 3 of Directive 
89/391/EEC also apply to the new proposal and need not be repeated. 
c) As provided for in Article 118a of the EEC Treaty, the proposal lays down 
minimum requirements. Many other signboards, pipe colours, markings and codes 
for acoustic signs, verbal communication and hand signals, could also have 
been included. 
d) Where possible the new signs and codes proposed were taken from or inspired 
by ISO documents or, failing this, what is already in use in one or more of 
the Member States. The proposal therefore aims to extend and harmonize these 
fields, rather than to introduce completely new provisions. The same applies 
to the principles, characteristics and rules governing use. 
e) The proposal contains a number of flexible aspects. 
The most important is contained in Article 7, which lays down that the Member 
States may specify certain exemptions from the obligation to use luminous and 
acoustic signs, taking account of certain criteria. 
Other flexible aspects have also been introduced: 
the interchangeabiIity of certain types of sign, 
the fact that the pictograms or symbols used on signboards and the coded 
hand signals may vary slightly, 
the freedom to choose the colour used for marking traffic routes, 
the freedom to keep or introduce other equivalent types of signs 
applicable at Community level (acoustic signs and hand signals). 
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5. CONSULTATION OF JHE PARTIES CONCERNED 
Experts, government representatives and representatives of workers' and 
employers' organizations were consulted by the Commission and were involved in 
the preparation of the proposal. 
The Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work (set up 
by Council Decision 74/325/EEC of 27.6.1974 (12)) was consulted and issued a 
generally favourable opinion, which was taken into account in the drafting of 
the proposal. 
6. DESCRIPTION OF J_HJE ARTICLES OF AND ANNEXES JO J_HE PROPOSAL 
Section I (Articles 1 and 2) contains general provisions describing the 
object of the Directive and its scope and giving various definitions. 
Section II (Articles 3-9) describes employers' obligations, distinguishing 
cases where signs are to be used for the first time from those where they are 
already in use, and provides for the possibility of modifying, extending or 
transforming existing signs. 
It contains provisions on information, training, consultation and 
participation for workers. Finally it gives Member States the scope to 
specify certain exemptions within specific limits. 
Section III (Articles 10-13) contains various provisions on adapting the 
annexes and the final provisions. 
Annex I contains the general minimum requirements for safety and/or health 
signs at work, specifying the purpose of the various types of sign provided 
for in the Directive and the possibilities for interchanging or combining 
them. 
Annex II defines the minimum requirements for signboards. It defines their 
intrinsic features and conditions of use and goes on to give a list of the 
signboards to be used. 
Annex III relates to the labelling and colour-coding of containers and pipes. 
Annex IV relates to the identification and location of equipment intended 
solely for fire-fighting purposes. 
Annex V lays down the requirements governing signs for obstacles and 
dangerous locations and the marking of certain traffic routes. 
Annex VI relates to luminous signs, their intrinsic features and specific 
rules governing use. 
Annex VII deals with acoustic signs, and in particular gives the codes to be 
used. 
Annex VI I I contains the minimum requirements for good verbal communication, 
whether direct or indirect. 
(12) OJ No L 185, 9.7.1974, p. 15 
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Annex IX deals with hand signals and contains a list of the signals to be 
used. 
Annex X contains a table giving the articles of Council Directive 77/576/EEC 
and the corresponding articles in this proposal. 

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Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
concerning the minimum requirements for the provision of safety 
and/or health signs at work 
(9th) individual Directive within the 
meaning of Directive 89/391/EEC 
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, which was presented following 
consultations with the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health 
Protection at Work (1), 
In cooperation with the European Parliament (2), 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), 
Whereas Article 118a of the Treaty provides that the Council must adopt, by 
means of directives, minimum requirements to encourage improvements especially 
in the working environment, in order to ensure better protection for the health 
and safety of workers-, 
Whereas, under that Article, such directives must avoid imposing administrative, 
financial and legal constraints in a way which would hold back the creation and 
development of small and medium-sized undertakings; 
Whereas the Commission Communication on its programme concerning safety, hygiene 
and health at work (4) provides for a revision and extension of the scope of 
Council Directive 77/576/EEC of 25 July 1977 on the approximation of the laws, 
regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to the 
provision of safety signs at places of work (5), as last amended by Commission 
Directive 79/640/EEC (6); 
Whereas, in its Resolution of 21 December 1987 on safety, hygiene, and health at 
work (7), the Council took note of the Commission's intention of submitting to 
the Council within a short period of time a proposal for revising and extending 
the abovementioned Directive; 
Whereas Directive 77/576/EEC requires substantial amendment and should be 
redrafted for the sake of consistency and clarity-, 
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 
(8); whereas the provisions of Directive 89/391/EEC therefore apply in full to 
safety and health signs at work, without prejudice to more stringent and/or 
specific provisions in this Directive; 
(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
(5) 
(6) . . 
. . 
. . , 
OJ 
OJ 
OJ No 
No 
No C 
L 
L 28, 
229 
183 3.2.1988, p.3. 
, 7.9.2977, p. 12 
, 19.7.1979, p.11 
(7) OJ No C 28, 3.2.1988, p.1. 
(8) OJ No L 183, 29.6.1989, p.1. 
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Whereas existing Community provisions mainly relate to safety signs 
and the marking of obstacles and dangerous locations, and are 
therefore restricted to a limited number of types of signs; 
Whereas the effect of this restriction is that some hazards are not 
appropriately marked and that new types of signs should therefore be 
introduced in order to provide better protection for the health and 
safety of workers; 
Whereas the many differences between the safety and/or health signs 
currently in use in the Member States lead to uncertainty, and this 
may become more widespread with the free movement of workers within 
the internal market; 
Whereas the use of standardized signs at work is, in general, likely 
to reduce the risks which may arise from linguistic and cultural 
differences between workers-, 
Whereas this Directive constitutes a tangible step towards developing 
the social dimension of the internal market; 
Whereas, pursuant to Council Decision 74/325/EEC (9), as last amended 
by the Act of Accession of Spain and Portugal, the Advisory Committee 
on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work is consulted by the 
Commission on the drafting of proposals in this field, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 
(9) OJ No L 185, 9.7.1974, p. 15 
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SECTION 1 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
ARTICLE 1 
Object 
1. This Directive, which is the [9th] individual Directive within the 
meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC, lays down minimum 
requirements for the provision of safety and/or health signs at 
work. 
2. This Directive shall not apply to signs for the marketing of 
dangerous substances and preparations, products and/or equipment, 
unless other Community provisions make specific reference thereto. 
3. This Directive shall not apply to signs used for transport by road, 
rail, inland waterway, sea and air. 
4. The provisions of Directive 89/391/EEC shall apply in full to the 
whole area referred to in paragraph 1, without prejudice to more 
restrictive and/or specific provisions in this Directive. 
ARTICLE 2 
Def in it ions 
For the purposes of this Directive, the following terms shall have the 
meanings indicated: 
a) Safety and/or health sign 
A sign referring to a specific object, activity or situation and 
providing information about a hazard or danger to health and/or 
safety at work by means of a signboard, a colour, a luminous or 
acoustic sign, a verbal communication or a hand signal; 
b) Prohibi tory sign 
a sign which prohibits a certain type of behaviour-, 
c) Warning sign 
a sign which warns of a risk or danger-, 
d) Mandatory sign 
a sign prescribing a specific form of behaviour; 
e) Emergency or f irst-aid sign 
a sign giving information on emergency escape routes or first-aid 
faciIi t ies; 
f) Informatory sign 
a sign providing information other than that described in points b) 
to e) ; 
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g) Signboard 
a sign which provides specific information by a combination of a 
geometric shape, colours and a symbol or pictogram, and which is 
clearly visible in daylight; its visibility may be enhanced by the 
material from which it is made or artificial light, if necessary; 
h) Supplementary signboard 
a signboard used together with one of the signs described under g), 
which provides supplementary information usually in the form of a 
short text; 
i) Safety colour 
a colour to which a specific meaning is assigned; 
j) Symbol or pictogram 
a figure which describes a situation or prescribes a specific form 
of behaviour and which is used on a signboard or luminous surface; 
k) Luminous sign 
a sign produced by a device made of transparent or translucent 
materials which are illuminated from the inside or the rear in such 
a way as to give the appearance of a luminous surface; 
I) Acoust ic sign 
a coded sound sign which is released and transmitted by a device 
designed for that purpose, without the use of a human or artificial 
voice; 
m) Verbal communicat ion 
a predetermined spoken message communicated by a human or 
artificial voice; 
n) Hand signal 
a movement and/or position of the arms and/or hands, in coded form, 
for guiding persons who are carrying out manoeuvres which 
constitute a risk or danger for workers. 
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SECTION I I 
EMPLOYERS' OBLIGATIONS 
ARTICLE 1 
General rules 
1. The safety and/or health signs laid down in this Directive shall be 
provided where there are risks or dangers which have not been 
eliminated by techniques for collective protection or by the 
measures, methods or procedures used in the organization of work. 
2. Without prejudice to the provisions of Annex V, the signs used for 
road, rail, inland waterway, sea and air transport shall be 
installed, wherever appropriate for such forms of transport, inside 
undertakings and/or firms. 
ARTICLE 4 
Safety and/or health signs 
used for the f irst t ime 
A safety and/or health sign used at work for the first time on or 
after the date referred to in Article 12 (1) must fulfil the minimum 
requirements set out in Annexes I-IX. 
ARTICLE 5 
Safety and/or health signs already in use 
A safety and/or health sign which was already in use at work before 
the date referred to in Article 12 (1) must fulfil the minimum 
requirements set out in Annexes I — IX by no later than one year after 
that date. 
ARTICLE 6 
Mod if icat ions to safety and/or health signs 
Any modification, extension or transformation of a safety and/or 
health sign at work on or after the date referred to in Article 12 (1) 
must fulfil the relevant minimum requirements set out in Annexes l-IX. 
ARTICLE 7 
Exempt ions 
1. Taking account of the types of activity and size of the 
undertakings concerned, Member States may specify sectors of 
activity, categories of undertakings or types of workstation 
allowed a total, partial or temporary exemption from the obligation 
to use luminous and/or acoustic signs as provided for in this 
Directive, provided that alternative measures are taken which 
afford the same level of protection. 
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2. Member States shall consult the national employers' and workers' 
organizations in advance when implementing the previous paragraph. 
ARTICLE 8 
Informat ion and instruct ion for workers 
1. Without prejudice to Article 10 of Directive 89/391/EEC, workers 
and/or their representatives shall be informed of all the measures 
to be taken concerning the health and/or safety signs used at work. 
2. Without prejudice to Article 12 of Directive 89/391/EEC, workers 
must be given suitable instruction, in particular in the form of 
specific directions concerning the safety and/or health signs used 
at work. 
In particular, the instruction shall cover the meaning of the 
signs, especially signs incorporating words, and the general and 
specific forms of behaviour to be adopted. 
ARTICLE 9 
Consultât ion of workers and workers' part icipat ion 
Consultation and participation of workers and/or their representatives 
shall take place in accordance with Article 11 of Directive 
89/391/EEC on the matters covered by this Directive, including Annexes 
l-IX. 
SECTION I I I 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
ARTICLE 10 
Adaptât ion of the Annexes 
Adaptations of a technical nature to the Annexes shall be adopted, in 
accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 17 of Directive 
89/391/EEC, in the light of: 
the adoption of directives on technical harmonization and 
standardization concerning the design and manufacture of safety 
and/or health signs or signalling devices at work; 
- technical progress, changes in international rules or 
specifications and advances in knowledge in the field of safety 
and/or health signs at work. 
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ARTICLE il 
Directive 77/576/EEC shall be repealed on the date referred to in 
Article 12. 
Any references to the repealed Directive shall be taken 
the corresponding provisions of this Directive, as listed 
in Annex X. to refer to 
in the table 
ARTICLE 12 
F inal provisions 
1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and 
administrative provisions required to comply with this Directive 
with effect from 1 January 1994. They shall immediately inform the 
Commission thereof. 
The laws, regulations and administrative provisions adopted 
pursuant to this paragraph shall contain a reference to this 
Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference at the time of 
their official publication. The procedure for such reference shall 
be adopted by Member States. 
2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the 
provisions of national law which they have already adopted or adopt 
in the field covered by this Directive. 
3. Member States shall report to the Commission every five years on 
the practical implementation of the provisions of this Directive, 
indicating the views of employers and workers. 
The Commission shall inform the European Parliament, the Council, 
the Economic and Social Committee and the Advisory Committee on 
Safety, Hygiene and Health at Work thereof. 
4. The Commission shall forward periodically to the European 
Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee a 
report on the implementation of this Directive, taking into account 
paragraphs 1, 2 and 3. 
ARTICLE 13 
This Directive is addressed to the Member States. 
Done at Brussels, For the Counc 
The President 
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ANNEX 1 
GENERAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING 
SAFETY AND/OR HEALTH SIGNS 
AI WORK 
1. Pre!iminary remarks 
1.1 Health and/or safety signs may be used only to give information 
relating to health and/or safety. 
1.2 A sign should be used in accordance with its object or aim in 
respect of existing risks or dangers, taking into account the 
rules governing the interchanging and combining of signs, as 
set out in paragraph 3. 
2. Types of signs 
2.1 Signboards should be used for permanent signs relating to 
prohibitions, warnings and mandatory requirements and the 
location and identification of emergency escape routes and 
f irst-aid faciI it ies. 
Signboards and/or a safety colour should be used to mark 
permanently the location and identification of fire-fighting 
equipment. 
2.2 Containers and pipes should be permanently labelled and/or 
painted a particular colour. 
2.3 Places where there is a risk of colliding with obstacles and of 
falling should be permanently marked with a safety colour or 
with signboards. 
2.4 Traffic routes should be permanently marked with a safety 
colour. 
2.5 Luminous and acoustic signs and/or verbal communication should 
be used when required, taking into account the possibilities 
for interchanging and combining signs set out in paragraph 3, 
to signal danger, to call persons to take a specific course of 
action and for the emergency evacuation of persons. 
2.6 Hand signals and/or verbal communication should be used where 
necessary to guide persons carrying out hazardous or dangerous 
manoeuvres. 
3. Interchanging and combining signs 
3.1 Any one of the following may be used if equally effective: 
a safety colour or a signboard to mark places where there 
is an obstacle, a drop or a slippery surface; 
luminous signs, acoustic signs or verbal communication; 
hand signals or verbal communication. 
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3.2 Some types of signs may be used together: 
luminous signs and acoustic signs; 
luminous signs and verbal communication; 
hand signals and verbal communication. 
3.3 In addition to being labelled, containers may also be painted a 
particular colour, as provided for in point 2 of Annex III. 
In addition to being painted a particular colour, pipes may also be 
labelled, as provided for in point 1 of Annex III. 
4. The instructions in the table below apply to all signs incorporating a safety 
colour, except those for containers and pipes. 
Colour 
Red 
Ye I low I 
i 
i 
i 
i 
i 
i Meaning or purpose 
Prohibit ion 
Danger - alarm 
Fire-fighting equipment 
"• —*-— • • - • 
Warning Instruct ions 
Dangerous behaviour 
Stop, shutdown, turn off 
power 
Evacuate 
Ident i f icat ion and 
location 
Be careful , take 
precautions 
Amber 
Blue 
Green i Examine : 
| Obligation Specific behaviour or j 
S act ion -
I Wear personal protective ; 
i equipment 
Emergency escape Doors, exits, routes, 
routes, first aid equipment, facilities 
No danger Return to normal 
5. The effectiveness of a sign must not be adversely affected by: 
a) the presence of another sign or another emission source of the same type 
which interferes with visibility or audibility; therefore, in particular, 
the placing of too many signs too close together should be avoided; 
two luminous signs which are likely to be confused should not be used 
at the same t ime-, 
a luminous sign should not be used in the proximity of another 
indistinct luminous emission; 
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two sound signs should not be used at the same time; 
a sound sign should not be used if there is too much ambient noise. 
b) poor design, insufficient number, incorrect positioning, poor state of 
repair or incorrect functioning of the signs or signalling devices; 
c) poor comprehension/perception by the person concerned (including 
linguistic aspects in the case of verbal communication). 
6. Depending on requirements, signs and signalling devices must be cleaned, 
maintained, checked, repaired, and replaced (if necessary) on a regular basis 
to ensure that they retain their intrinsic and/or functional qualities. 
7. The number of signs or signalling devices to be installed will depend on the 
extent of the risks or dangers or on the zone to be covered and/or the number 
of persons concerned. 
8. Signs requiring some form of power must be provided with a guaranteed supply. 
9. The triggering of a luminous and sound sign indicates when the required 
action should start; the sign must be activated for as long as it takes to 
complete the action. 
10.Luminous and acoustic signs and indirect verbal communication must be 
checked to ensure that they function correctly and that they are effective 
before they are put into service and subsequently at reasonable intervals. 
11.If the hearing or the sight of the workers concerned is impaired, 
including impairment caused by the wearing of personal protective equipment, 
measures must be taken to supplement or replace the signs concerned. 
12.Stores of dangerous substances,préparât ions or products must be 
labelled as provided for in paragraph 1 of Annex III, or a warning sign 
placed as provided for in paragraph 3.2 of Annex II. 
Stores of a number of dangerous substances, preparations or products must be 
indicated by the warning sign for "general danger". 
The labels or signboards referred to above should be positioned, as 
appropriate, near the storage area or on the door leading into the storage 
room. 
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ANNEX JJL 
MINIMUM GENERAL REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING SIGNBOARDS 
1. Intr insic features 
1.1 The shape and the colours of the signboards are set out in paragraph 3, 
in accordance with their specific object (signboards indicating a 
prohibition, a warning, a mandatory action, an escape route, an emergency 
or fire-fighting equipment). 
1.2 The pictograms must be as simple as possible and should contain only 
essent ial detaiIs. 
1.3 The pictograms used may be slightly different from or more detailed than 
those shown in paragraph 3, provided that they convey the same meaning. 
1.4 Signboards should be made of shock- and weather-resistant material 
suitable for the surrounding environment. 
1.5 The dimensions and colorimetric and photometric features of the 
signboards must be such that they can be easily seen and understood. 
2. Condi t ions of use 
2.1 Signboards are to be installed at a suitable height, taking account of 
any obstacles, either at the access point to an area in the case of a 
general risk, or in the immediate vicinity of a specific risk or object 
and in a well-lit and easily accessible location. 
Without prejudice to the provisions of Directive 89/654/EEC, 
phosphorescent colours, reflective materials or artificial lighting 
should be used where the level of natural light is inadequate. 
2.2 The signboard must be removed when the situation to which it refers no 
longer exists. 
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3 SI'JNBCARDS TO BE U3ED 
2*1 prohibitory signs 
flmtrineic features 
* hlt*< V. p i« 1 <»<ji.-tiii o.ii whit.** b«-u k«jr<Mind, r»-d pil«-jin«j t\rt<\ d i i<'j« »n.-» l 
1im> (IS<? i .-i ;>.». L to take up ••* l«».»*t V>% «>f Iho -«,.».« .if I'"' 
sign). 
a Signs t« be used: 
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J»? Warning signs 
• Jmtr^asic features 
• tr itUt'Jt.il.-r shrtpp 
* M*( !> p'it«»r|rHni on ;• yd I f •«.» ILK" ICJI (»;.;r»(j with Mm k rfjrjirvi (llir 
yo!1-v«i part to take up *{ l.».v*t V'% of the ar.M .if :l.t> 
sign). 
• Sigas t« be used: 
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Oxidant material Non-ionizing Strong «agnetic field 
radiation 
Obstacles Drop Slippery surface 
(*) 
Biological risk Low temperature Harmful or irritant 
material 
* Sig» laid down im Couicil Directive ... on the protectiom of workers 
fro» the risks related to exposure to biological agents at work. 
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3.3 Mandatory signs 
• Intrimsic features 
* round shape 
• white pictograa on a blue background (the bluo part to take 
up at least 50% of the area of the sign). 
• Sigas to be used: 
Eye protection Bust 
be wora Safety helaet Bust 
be wora Ear protection «U6t 
be wora 
Respiratory equipaent 
•u&t be wora Safety boots 
•ust be wora Safety gloves «ust 
be worn 
Safety overalls 
must be wora Face protection 
must be used Safety harness 
•ust be worn 
pedestrians »u<",t 
use .tills, rnnt.e 
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.la Emergency escape or first-aid signs 
1 Iatrimsic features 
• 'Jiito p i • l<-jr .im nr, * •jr«,.-ri !..«» k'jr <nj.id (tho 'jr<M-n ,..«rt t# take 
up .V, ]r«ast f'0X rf" I So i-n <.» i»T I he sign). 
• Signs ta be used: 
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3.5 Fire-fighting sign* 
I Iatriasic features ' 
m rectangular or squtre shape 
# white pictogra* on a red background (the red part to take 
up at least 50?' of the area of the siga) • 
• Signs to be used: 
Fire hose Fire extiaguiaher 
Fire-figktiag equipment 
(general) 
E 
This way 
(supplementary siga) 
- 24 -
ANNEX I I I 
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR MARK ING 
CONTAINERS AND PIPES 
1. Label Iing 
1.1 Containers used at work to hold dangerous substances or preparations as 
defined in Council Directives 67/548/EEC (1) and 88/379/EEC (2) must be 
labelled as provided for in those Directives. 
1.2 Signs must be mounted as follows: 
on the visible side(s); 
in unpliable, self-adhesive or painted form. 
1.3 Where appropriate the signs referred to in point 1.1 must have the 
intrinsic features defined in Section 1, point 1.4 of Annex II and must 
fulfil the conditions of use for signboards laid down in Section 2 of 
Annex I I. 
2. Colour-coding 
2.1 Where they are no other equivalent signs applicable at Community level, 
visible pipes must be colour-coded as follows for the main categories of 
contents carr ied: 
water 
air 
steam 
flammable oils and liquids 
oxygen (gas or liquid) 
gases other than air and oxygen 
acids 
bases green 
I ight blue 
si I ver grey 
brown 
wh i te 
amber 
purple 
black 
2.2 The whole length of the pipe must be painted the appropriate colour, or 
else rings be painted near the most dangerous points, such as valves and 
joints, and at reasonable intervals. 
2.3 If colours other than those provided for in paragraph 2.1 are used, 
particularly to identify the contents carried more specifically, they 
must not cause confusion with the colours used to distinguish the major 
categories of contents. 
(1) OJ No L 196, 16.8.1967, p. 1. 
(2) OJ No L 187, 16.7.1988, p. 14 
- 25 -
ANNEX IV 
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE IDENTIFICATION AND LOCATION OF 
FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT 
Preliminary remark 
This Annex applies to equipment used exclusively for fire-fighting purposes. 
1. Fire-fighting equipment must be identified by using a specific colour for the 
equipment and placing a location signboard, and/or by using a specific colour 
for the places where such equipment is kept. 
2. The colour for identifying this equipment is red. The red area must be 
sufficiently large to allow the equipment to be identified easily. 
3. The signboards provided for in paragraph 3.5 of Annex II must be used to mark 
the locations of this equipment. 
- 26 -
ANNEX V 
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING SIGNS USED 
FOR OBSTACLES AND DANGEROUS LOCATIONS. 
AND FOR MARKING TRAFFIC ROUTES 
1. Signs for obstacles and dangerous locat ions 
1.1 Places where there is a risk of colliding with obstacles, of falling or 
of objects falling should be marked with alternating yellow and black 
stripes in built-up zones in the undertaking to which workers have access 
during their work. 
1.2 The dimensions of the markings must be commensurate with the scale of the 
obstacle or dangerous location in question. 
1.3 The yellow and black stripes must be at an angle of approximately 45" and 
of more or less equal size. 
1.4 Example : 
2. Mark inq of traff ic routes 
2.1 Traffic routes which are located within the built-up areas of an 
undertaking to which workers have access during their work, and which are 
intended specifically for the ground movement of transport or of handling 
equipment, must be marked on both sides by a continuous stripe in a 
clearly visible colour, preferably yellow, taking into account the colour 
of the ground. 
2.2 The distance between the two stripes will depend on the width of the 
vehicles which can use the route. 
2.3 The stripes must be located in such a way as to provide the necessary 
safe distance between the route and any object which may be nearby. 
- 27 -
ANNEX Y! 
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR LUMINOUS SIGNS 
1. Intr insic features 
1.1 The light emitted by a sign must produce a luminous contrast which is 
appropriate to its environment, in accordance with the intended 
conditions of use of the sign, but without producing glare. 
1.2 The luminous area emitting a sign may be of a single colour or contain a 
pictogram on a specified background. 
1.3 The single colour must correspond to the table of colours and their 
meanings set out in paragraph 4 of Annex I. 
1.4 Likewise, when the sign contains a pictogram, the latter must comply with 
all the relevant rules set out in Annex II. 
2. Soeci f ic rules governing use 
2.1 If a device can emit both continuous and intermittent signs, the 
intermittent sign should be used to indicate a higher level of danger or 
a more urgent need for the requested/imposed intervention or action than 
indicated by the continuous sign. The duration of each flash and the 
frequency of the flashes of an intermittent luminous sign must be such as 
to ensure the proper perception of the message and must avoid any 
confusion either between different luminous signs or with a continuous 
luminous sign. 
2.2 If a flashing sign is used instead of - or together with - an acoustic 
sign, identical codes must be used. 
- ?b -
ANNEX VI I 
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ACOUSTIC SIGNS 
1. Intr insic features 
Acoustic signs must: 
1.1 have a sound level which is considerably higher than the level of ambient 
noise, so that it is audible without being excessive, 
1.2 be easily recognizable, particularly in terms of pulse length and the 
interval between pulses or groups of pulses, and be clearly distinct from 
any other acoustic sign and ambient noises. 
2. Codes 
emergency evacuation 
ruui_ruui request for 
emergency 
emergency 
personne I) help in an 
(call to 
serv i ce 
-29 -
ANNEX VI I I 
MINUMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR VERBAL COMMUN I CAT I ON 
1 . Intr insic features 
1.1 Verbal communication between a speaker or emitter and one or more hearers 
should take the form of (sometimes coded) short texts, phrases, groups of 
words and/or individual words. 
1.2 Spoken messages should be as short, simple and clear as possible; the 
verbal skills of the speaker and the hearing abilities of the hearer(s) 
must be such as to guarantee reliable verbal communication. 
1.3 Verbal communication is direct (by means of the human voice) or indirect 
(by means of a human or artificial voice which is broadcast by whatever 
means is appropriate). 
2. Speci f ic rules governing use 
2.1 The persons involved must have a good knowledge of the language used so 
that they are able to pronounce and understand the spoken message 
correctly and consequently behave in a way which is appropriate to health 
and/or safety. 
2.2 If verbal communication is used instead of - or together with - gestures, 
code words should be used such as: 
start 
stop 
end 
raise 
lower 
forwards 
backwards 
r ight 
left 
danger to indicate the start of a command 
to interrupt or end a movement 
to stop the operation 
to have a load raised 
to have a load lowered 
to be coordinated with the 
corresponding hand signals. 
: for an emergency stop 
qu i ck I y : to speed up a movement for safety 
reasons. 
- 30 -
ANNEX J_X 
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR HAND SIGNALS 
1. Features 
Hand signals must be precise, simple, expansive, easy to make and to 
understand, and clearly distinct from other such signals. 
Where both arms are used at the same time, they must be moved symmetrically 
and for giving one sign only. 
Provided that they fulfil the conditions given above, the signals used may 
vary slightly from or be more detailed than those shown in paragraph 3-, they 
must, however, be equally meaningful and comprehensible. 
2. Specif ic rules governing use 
2.1 The person giving the signs, hereinafter referred to as the signalman, 
will use arm/hand movements to give manoeuvering instructions to the 
person receiving the signs, hereinafter referred to as the operator. 
2.2 The signalman must be able to monitor all manoeuvres visually without 
being endangered thereby. 
2.3 The signalman's duties must consist exclusively of directing manoeuvres 
and ensuring the safety of workers in the vicinity. 
2.4 If the conditions described in paragraph 2.2 are not fulfilled, one or 
more extra signalmen should be deployed. 
2.5 The operator must interrupt the ongoing manoeuvre in order to request new 
instructions when he is unable to carry out the orders he has received 
with the necessary safety guarantees. 
2.6 Accessor ies: 
a) The operator must be able to recognize the signalman without 
diff iculty. 
The signalman should wear one or more appropriate distinctive items, 
e.g. a jacket, helmet, sleeves or armbands, or carry bats. 
b) The distinctive items set out in point a) should be brightly 
coloured, preferably all of the same colour and for the exclusive use 
of signalmen. 
, - 31 -
3 . Coded sj g nais to be used 
Preliminary remark: 
The following set of coded signals are without prejudice to other codes 
applicable at Community level, used for the same manoeuvres in ce'rtain 
sectors. 
MEANING DESCRIPTION ILLUSTRATION 
A. GENERAL SICNALS 
START 
Attention 
Start of 
command Golh arms arc extended 
horizontally with the 
palms faeirvj forward £*=: 
STOP 
Inter ruption 
End of 
movement the rir.jht arm points upwards 
with the palm facincj forwards 
END 
of the 
operation both hands are clasped at chest 
height 
- 32 -
MEANING DESCRIPTION ILLUSTRATION 
D. VERTICAL MOVEMENTS 
RAISE the right ami points upwards with 
the palm facing forward and slowly 
makes a circle 
LOWER the right arm points downwards 
with the palm facing inwards 
and slowly makes a circle 
- 33 -
MEANING DESCRIPTION ILLUSTRAI ION 
C. HORIZONTAL MOVEMENTS 
MOVE FORWARDS both arms Arc bent with the 
palms facing upwards, and the 
forearms make slow movements 
towards the body 
MOVE 13ACKWARDÏ both arms are bent with the 
palms facing downwards, and 
the forearms make slow 
movements away from the body 
to the 
signalman's 
RIGHT the right arm is extended more or- less ^ /~\ 
horizontally with the palm ^^^~^N\>' 
facing downwards and slowly makes 
small movements to the right m 
to the 
signalman's 
LEFT the left arm is extended more or loss 
horizontally with the palm 
facing downwards and slowly makes 
small movements to the left r^S 
UL 
U. DANGER - 34 -
MEANING DESCRIPTION ILLUSTRATION 
DANGER 
Emergency 
stop both arms point upwards with 
the palms facing forwards 
QUICKLY all movements faster 
- 35 -
ANNEX X 
TABLE OF CORRESPONDING ARTICLES 
DIRECTIVE 77/576/EEC, AS AMENDED CORRESPONDING ARTICLES IN THIS 
OY DIRECTIVE 79/640/EEC DIRECTIVE 
• | •••^l. — »ll— II ••PUB • • • I II II ••! 1 !•« I 1«W •• • ••-•»•# 
Article 1 . Article 1 
-- Paragraph 1 - Paragraph 1 
-- Paragraph 2 - Paragraph 2 
a)' a) 
b) b) 
c) c): omitted 
Article 2 . Article 2 
- Paragraph 1 
a) a) 
b) i) 
c) Annex II points 3.1-3.2-3.3-3.4 
and 3.5 
d) g) 
e) b) 
f) c) 
g) d) 
h) e) 
i) f) 
j) ") 
10 j) 
- Paragraph 2 Annexes I Section 4 and II point 1.1 
Article 3 
1st indent Article 3, Section 1 
2nd indent Article 4 
3rd indent Article 3 Section 2 
Article 4 Article 10 
Article !i Article 10 
. Article 6 Article 10 
Article 7 Article 12 
- 36 -
DIRECTIVE 77/576/EEC, AS AMENDED CORRESPONDING ARTICLES IN THIS 
DY DIRECTIVE 79/640/EEC DIRECTIVE 
Annex I 
Paragraph 1 
- 1.1 Annex I, Section 1 
- 1.2 Article 3, para. 1 
- 1.3 Annex I, point 1.1 
- 1.4 Article 0 
. Paragraph 2 Annex I Section 4 
- 2.1 Annex II points 3.1-3.2-3.3-3.4 
- 2.2 and 3.5 
. Paragraph 3 Annex II points 3.1-3.2-3.3-3.A 
and 3.5 
. Paragraph 4 Annex I Section 4 
. Paragraph 5 
- 5.1 Annex II, point 3.1 
- 5.2 Annex II, point 3.1—3.3—3.3 and 
3.4 
- 5.3 Omitted 
- 5.4 Annex II, point 1.2 
- 5.5 Annex II, point 1.5 
. Paragraph 6 Annex II, point 1.5 
. Paragraph 7 Annex V, Section 1 
Annex II 
. Paragraph 1 . Annex II point 3.1 
. Paragraph 2 . Annex II point 3.2 
. Paragraph 3 j . Annex II point 3.3 
. Paragraph 4 . Annex II point 3.4 
- 37 -
FINANCIAL RECORD SHEET 
PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE CONCERNING THE 
MINI MUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROVISION 
OF SAFETY AND/OR HEALTH SIGNS AT WORK 
1. BUDGET ITEM CONCERNED 
B 6480: Measures relating to health protection, hygiene and safety at work, 
including specific measures in connection with the completion of the 
internal market. 
A 2510: Compulsory committees (technical adjustments committee referred to in 
Article 17 of Directive 89/391/EEC). 
A 2531: Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work. 
2. LEGAL BASIS 
Article 118a of the EEC Treaty. 
3. CLASSIFICATION INTO COMPULSORY/NON-COMPULSORY EXPENDITURE 
Non-compulsory. 
4. DESCRIPTION AND JUSTIFICATION OF JHE ACTION 
4.1 Peser ipt ion 
4.1.1 Object ives of the proposed D i rect ive 
The proposed Directive has the following aims: 
to extend Council Directive 77/576/EEC as amended by Commission 
Directive 79/640/EEC and to strengthen some of its provisions; 
to give health and/or safety signs appropriate weight in relation 
to other preventive methods; 
to make provision for the risks which may be caused by the 
movement of increasing numbers of workers; 
generally to improve workers' safety at work. 
- 38 -
4.1.2 Character ist ics of the proposed Direct ive (with part icular 
reference to those with f inaneiaI imp Iicat ions) 
4.1.2.1 The proposed Directive and, in particular, its annexes are to 
be adapted and supplemented in order to define more closely 
or amplify certain aspects of the health and/or safety signs 
in quest ion. 
4.1.2.2 The proposal stipulates that the Member States shall forward 
to the Commission their relevant national implementing 
legislation as well as reports on implementation. 
4.1.2.3 The proposal also makes provision for the creation of a 
committee to assist the Commission in any supplementary work. 
4.2 Just if icat ion 
The action is justified by the legal basis given in point 2. The 
financial implications will be associated with the additional activities 
to be undertaken in the future (see point 4.1) and are set out in point 
5. 
5. NATURE OF J_HE_ EXPENDITURE AND METHOD OF CALCULATION 
5.1 Nature of the addi t ional act iv i t ies to be undertaken fol lowing the 
adopt ion of the Direct ive 
a) monitoring of the implementation of the Directive in the individual 
Member States 
b) revision of the annexes 
c) consultations with experts 
d) the running of the technical adjustments committee 
e) consultation of the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health 
Protect ion at Work. 
5 . 2 Types of act i v i ty resul t ing from 5.. J. wi th f inane ia I imp I icat ions 
These are: 
study and/or service contracts for 
the comparison and appraisal of the information received by the 
Commission, 
- the study of the problems associated with the implementation of 
the Di rect ive, 
- the study of the problems associated with the annexes to the 
Directive and the preparation of adaptations to the annexes-, 
costs of consultation meetings with experts 
costs of running the technical adjustments committee 
costs of consultations with the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene 
and Health Protection at Work. 
5.3 CaIculat ion of expendi ture 
As only the nature and type of the additional activities are known with 
no indication of their scale or number, it is impossible to make a 
precise estimate of the expenditure. 
- 39 -
Costs are calculated on the basis of the "man/month" unit; at present, 
one unit is equivalent to ECU 4 000. 
The cost of consulting a government expert has been estimated at ECU 390, 
or ECU 515 for a non-government expert (per day). The expenditure will be 
spread over several years and will be progressive. The figures given in 
6.1 are general estimates. 
As regards item A 2531 (Advisory Committee), the sum allocated is for 
holding two meetings per year of an ad hoc group of 12 members including 
four government experts. The ad hoc group will meet from 1995 onwards. 
As regards item A 2510 (technical adjustments committee), the sum 
allocated is for consulting group 4 experts (government experts and 
others) at two meetings in 1994 and four meetings in 1995. From 1996 
onwards a more restricted ad hoc group will be consulted. 
F INANCIAL IMPACT OF JHE ACTION ON INTERVENTION APPROPRIATIONS 
6.1 Schedule of commitment appropriat ions (ÇA) and payment appropr iat ions 
(PA) 
Item B 6480 
The appropriations for this action will be determined annually, depending 
on the funds available and the appropriations allocated for actions 
covered by this item under the budgetary procedure. 
The estimated sum required for 1993 is ECU 200 000. From 1994 onwards the 
appropriations allocated for this action will be increased at least in 
proportion to those allocated for all the actions covered by item B 6480. 
Item A 2510 
1993 
1994 
1995 
1996 
1997 
Item A 2531 
1993 
1994 
1995 
1996 
1997 CA (ECU) PA (ECU) 
20 000 20 000 
30 000 30 000 
30 000 30 000 
30 000 30 000 
110 000 110 000 
CA (ECU) PA (ECU) 
10 
10 
10 000 
000 
000 10 
10 
10 000 
000 
000 
30 000 30 000 
- 40 -
6.2 Percentage of Community funding in the total cost o_i the act ion 
The Commission will provide 100% funding for the work provided for in the 
proposed Directive. 
7. REMARKS 
None. 
8. FINANCIAL IMPACT ON STAFF APPROPRIATIONS 
8.1 Personnel needed so IeI y for the act ion itself 
As from 1993, one full-time A official, one full-time B official and one 
full-time C official will be needed. 
These resources are to be found either by internal redeployment or from 
the Commission's programming of its resources. 
8.2 Approor iat ions needed for staff 
The estimated appropriations needed for the staff requested under 8.1 
are ECU 240 000 per year as from 1993 and will be covered by 
appropriations from part A of section I I I of the General Budget. 
- 41 -
ASSESSMENT OF J_HE IMPACT p_F JHE PROPOSAL FOR A DIRECTIVE 
CONCERNING MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROVISION OF 
HEALTH AND/OR SAFETY SIGNS AT WORK 
I. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PROPOSAL FOR A DIRECTIVE 
The Commission Communication on its programme concerning safety, hygiene 
and health at work provides that the Commission will revise Council 
Directive 77/576/EEC (1), as amended by Commission Directive 79/640/EEC 
(2), on safety signs at the workplace, in order to "bring it up to date 
and extend its scope". 
The proposal is also one of the new initiatives announced by the 
Commission in the Communication on its action programme relating to the 
implementation of the Community Charter of Basic Social Rights for 
Workers. 
The aim of the proposal is to help to reduce the risk caused by existing 
differences in the health and/or safety signs used in the various Member 
States, given the increasing movement of workers within the Community. 
II. TYPES OF UNDERTAKINGS INVOLVED 
Generally speaking, all undertakings will be affected by the proposal to 
varying degrees, depending on whether they are already covered by national 
legislation or standards which are stricter than the requirements of Council 
Directive 77/576/EEC. 
(a) SMEs: 
The new Directive will be an individual Directive within the meaning of 
Directive 89/391/EEC (3) and will therefore apply to all undertakings, 
irrespective of size. No distinction is made between SMEs and other 
undertakings as regards safety signs. 
(b) regional concentrât ion 
not eligible for regional aid from Member States; 
not eligible for aid from the ERDF. 
(1) OJ No L 229, 7.9.1977, p. 12. 
(2) OJ No L 183, 19.7.1979, p. 11 
(3) OJ No L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1. 
- 42 -
III. WHAT DIRECT OBLIGATIONS ARE IMPOSED ON BUSINESSES? 
Undertakings must fulfil the general minimum requirements for the 
provision of health and/or safety signs at work, which must be used 
wherever risks or dangers cannot be eliminated by techniques for mass 
protection or by the measures, methods or procedures used in the 
organization of work. 
Undertakings must fulfil the minimum requirements for the various 
types of signs: signboards, markings for containers and pipes, the 
identification and location of fire-fighting equipment, signs for 
obstacles and dangerous areas, the marking of traffic routes, 
luminous signs, acoustic signs, verbal communication and hand 
signals. 
There is a degree of flexibility in the requirements to be fulfilled: 
- the Member States may determine certain exemptions 
from the obligation to use luminous and/or acoustic signs, 
taking account of the type of activity and size of the 
undertakings concerned, 
- types of signs can be interchanged or combined. 
IV. WHAT INDIRECT OBLIGATIONS ARE LOCAL AUTHORITIES LIKELY JO IMPOSE ON 
BUSINESSES? 
Each Member State must incorporate the provisions of the Directive into its 
national legislation. Neither the Member States, the local authorities nor 
even the undertakings are required to go beyond the minimum requirements 
stipulated, but may do so, provided that the design of the signs in question 
is similar to those described in the proposal. 
V. ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL MEASURES J_N RESPECT OF SMEs? 
The proposal does not contain any provisions specifically for SMEs, but 
provides a degree of flexibility as described in point III. 
The Member States may use this flexibility to benefit SMUs by defining 
exemptions as provided for in Article 7 of the proposal, and the undertakings 
themselves can interchange and combine signs as described in point 3 of Annex 
VI .WHAT IS J_HE LIKELY EFFECT: 
Preliminary remark: the following observations are drawn from the 
conclusions of a detailed study of the socio-economic impact of this 
proposa I . 
- 43 -
a) on compet it iveness 
the amount already spent by undertakings to comply with the 
provisions incorporating the 1977 Directive into national legislation 
should be deducted from the cost of the measures provided for in the 
proposal ; 
the cost of the measures should be assessed against the anticipated 
reduction in industrial accidents caused by inadequate signs; 
the ultimate effect of reducing accidents will be to make Community 
undertakings more competitive. 
b) on employment 
the use of signs will not have a negative effect on employment in the 
undertakings affected; 
furthermore, the Directive will boost employment in undertakings 
manufacturing, retailing and maintaining the various signs. These 
include many SMEs. 
VII. HAVE BOTH SIDES OF INDUSTRY BEEN CONSULTED? 
Experts, government representatives and employers' and workers' 
organizations have been consulted by the Commission and have been 
involved in the preparation of the proposal. 
The Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work, 
set up by Council Decision 74/325/EEC of 27.4.1974 (4), was consulted and 
issued its opinion, which was taken into account in the drafting of the 
proposal. 
(4) OJ No L 185, 9.7.1974, p. 15 


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