PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE CONCERNING THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROVISION OF SAFETY AND/OR HEALTH SIGNS AT WORK
Date: 1990-12-19
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: humanisation of work, occupational safety, public health, safety standard, traffic signs

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) 

- 2 -

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) 
(2) 
(3) 

(4) 
(5) 
(6) 

OJ No L 183, 26.6.1989, p. 1. 
88/C 28/02 - OJ No C 8, 3.2.1988. 
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). 
88/C 28/02 - OJ No C 28, 3.2.1988. 
C0M(89) 568 final. 
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 N ot  156, 21.6.1990, p. 9. 
(11) OJ No L 156, 21.6.1990, p. 14. 

-  4  -

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, 
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). 

the  provisions  on 

consultation 

information, 

training, 

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). 

5.  CONSULTATION  OF  JHE  PARTIES  CONCERNED 

-  5  -

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. 

contains 

It 
and 
information, 
participation  for  workers.  Finally  it  gives  Member  States  the  scope  to 
specify  certain  exemptions  within  specific  limits. 

consultation 

provisions 

training, 

on 

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 

-  6  -

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. 

- 7 -

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; 

. . 
. . 
. . , 
No 
OJ 
No 
OJ 
No 
OJ 

(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
(5) 
(6) 
(7) OJ No C 28, 3.2.1988, p.1. 
(8) OJ No L 183, 29.6.1989, p.1. 

3.2.1988, p.3. 
, 7.9.2977, p. 12 
, 19.7.1979, p.11 

28, 
229 
183 

C 
L 
L 

-  8  -

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 

-  9  -

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) ; 

-  10  -

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 
artificial  voice; 

by  a  human  or 

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. 

-  11  -

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. 

2.  Member  States  shall  consult  the  national  employers'  and  workers' 
organizations  in advance  when  implementing  the  previous  paragraph. 

-  12  -

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 
and 
standardization  concerning  the  design  and  manufacture  of  safety 
and/or  health  signs  or  signalling  devices  at  work; 

harmonization 

technical 

-  technical 

or 
specifications  and  advances  in  knowledge  in  the  field  of  safety 
and/or  health  signs  at  work. 

international 

progress, 

changes 

rules 

in 

-  13  -

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 
inform  the 
with  effect  from  1 January  1994. They  shall  immediately 
Commission  thereof. 

laws,  regulations  and  administrative  provisions 

The 
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 

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. 

periodically 

forward 

shall 

the 

to 

This  Directive  is addressed  to  the Member  States. 

ARTICLE  13 

Done  at  Brussels, 

For  the  Counc 
The  President 

-  14  -

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. 

-  15  -

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. 

Meaning  or  purpose 

Instruct ions 

Colour 

Red 

Ye I low 

I 

i 

i 

i 
i 

i 
i 

Amber 

i 

Prohibit ion 

Danger  -  alarm 

Fire-fighting  equipment 

"• 

—

*

-— 

•  • 

- 

• 

Warning 

|  Obligation 
S 

Blue 

I 
i 

Emergency  escape 
routes,  first  aid 

Green 

No  danger 

Dangerous  behaviour 

Stop,  shutdown,  turn  off 
power 

Evacuate 

Ident i f icat ion  and 
location 

Be  careful , take 
precautions 

Examine 

Specific  behaviour  or 
act ion  -

: 

j 

Wear  personal  protective 
equipment 

; 

Doors,  exits,  routes, 
equipment,  facilities 

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; 

-  16  -

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. 

-  17  -

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. 

prejudice 

Without 
phosphorescent  colours,  reflective  materials  or  artificial 
should  be  used  where  the  level  of  natural  light  is  inadequate. 

provisions 

Directive 

the 

of 

to 

89/654/EEC, 
lighting 

2.2  The  signboard  must  be  removed  when  the  situation  to  which  it  refers  no 

longer  exists. 

-  1R 

-

3 

S I ' J N B C A R DS  TO BE U3ED 

2 *1 

p r o h i b i t o ry  signs 
f l m t r i n e ic 

f e a t u r es 

* 

hlt*<  V.  p  i«  1  <»<ji.-tiii  o.ii  whit.**  b«-u  k«jr<Mind, 
1im>  (IS<?  i .-i  ;>.».  L  to  t a ke  up  ••*  l«».»*t  V>%  «>f  Iho  -«,.».«  .if 
s i g n ). 

r»-d  pil«-jin«j 

t\rt<\  d i i<'j« »n.-» l 

I ' "' 

a  S i g ns 

t«  be  u s e d: 

- 19 -

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  w i th  Mm  k  r f j r j i r vi 

( l l ir 

yo!1-v«i  p a rt 
sign). 

to  t a ke  up  *{ 

l.».v*t  V'%  of 

t he  a r .M  . if 

:l.t> 

•  Sigas  t«  be  used: 

- 20 -

Oxidant material 

Non-ionizing 
radiation 

Strong  «agnetic  field 

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. 

- 21 -

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 

-  22  -

.la 

Emergency  escape  or  f i r s t - a id  signs 
f e a t u r es 
1 

I a t r i m s ic 

• 

' J i i to  p i •  l<-jr  .im  nr,  *  •jr«,.-ri  !..«» k'jr <nj.id  ( t ho  'jr<M-n  ,..«rt 

t# 

t a ke 

up 

.V, 

]r«ast 

f'0X  rf" 

I So  i-n <.»  i»T  I he  s i g n ). 

•  S i g ns 

ta  be  u s e d: 

- 23 -

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 
intended 

appropriate  to  its  environment, 
conditions  of  use  of  the  sign,  but  without  producing  glare. 

in  accordance  with  the 

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 
to 
(call 
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  c o d e d)  short  texts,  p h r a s e s,  groups  of 
words  and/or  individual  w o r d s. 

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  m e a ns  of  the  human  v o i c e)  or  indirect 
(by  m e a ns  of  a  human  or  artificial  voice  which  is  broadcast  by  whatever 
m e a ns  is  a p p r o p r i a t e ). 

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  -  g e s t u r e s, 

code  words  should  be  used  such  a s: 

start 
stop 
end 
raise 
lower 
forwards 
backwards 
r ight 
left 
danger 

qu i ck I y 

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  s i g n a l s. 

:  for  an  emergency  stop 

:  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 

Golh arms arc extended 

Attention 

horizontally  with the 

Start of 

command 

palms faeirvj forward 

£ * =: 

STOP 

the  rir.jht  arm  p o i n ts  upwards 

Inter ruption 

w i th  the  palm  facincj 

forwards 

End of 

movement 

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 

facing downwards and  slowly makes 

small movements to the right 

^ ^ ^ ~ ^ N \ >' 

m 

to the 

the left arm is extended more or loss 

signalman's 

horizontally  with  the palm 

LEFT 

facing downwards and  slowly makes 

small movements to the left 

r^S 

UL 

- 34 -

MEANING 

DESCRIPTION 

ILLUSTRATION 

U. DANGER 

DANGER 

both arms point upwards with 

Emergency 

the palms facing forwards 

stop 

QUICKLY 

all movements  faster 

- 35 -

ANNEX X 

TABLE OF CORRESPONDING  ARTICLES 

DIRECTIVE 77/576/EEC, AS AMENDED 
OY DIRECTIVE  79/640/EEC 

CORRESPONDING ARTICLES IN THIS 
DIRECTIVE 

•  | 

• • • ^ l.  —  » l l—  II 

• • P UB 

•  •  • 

I  II 

II  ••! 

1  ! •«  I 

1 «W 

••  • 

••-•»•# 

Article  1 
-- Paragraph  1 
-- Paragraph 2 

a)' 
b) 
c) 

Article 2 
-  Paragraph 1 

a) 
b) 
c) 

d) 
e) 
f) 
g) 
h) 
i) 
j) 
10 

. Article 1 
- Paragraph 1 
- Paragraph 2 

a) 
b) 
c ): omitted 

. Article 2 

a) 
i) 
Annex  II points  3.1-3.2-3.3-3.4 
and 3.5 
g) 
b) 
c) 
d) 
e) 
f) 
") 
j) 

- Paragraph  2 

Annexes I Section 4 and  II point  1.1 

Article 3 
1st indent 
2nd  indent 
3rd  indent 

Article  4 

Article !i 

.  Article 6 

Article 7 

Article 3, Section 1 
Article 4 
Article 3 Section 2 

Article 10 

Article 10 

Article  10 

Article  12 

- 36 -

DIRECTIVE 77/576/EEC, AS AMENDED 
DY DIRECTIVE  79/640/EEC 

CORRESPONDING ARTICLES IN THIS 
DIRECTIVE 

Annex I 

Paragraph 1 
-  1.1 
-  1.2 
-  1.3 
-  1.4 

. Paragraph 2 

-  2.1 
-  2.2 

. Paragraph 3 

. Paragraph 4 

. Paragraph 5 

-  5.1 
-  5.2 

- 5.3 
- 5.4 
- 5.5 

. Paragraph 6 

. Paragraph 7 

Annex II 
. Paragraph  1 
. Paragraph 2 
. Paragraph 3 
. Paragraph 4 

Annex I, Section 1 
Article 3, para. 1 
Annex I, point  1.1 
Article 0 

Annex I Section 4 
Annex II points  3.1-3.2-3.3-3.4 
and  3.5 

Annex II points 3.1-3.2-3.3-3.A 
and 3.5 

Annex I Section 4 

Annex II, point  3.1 
Annex II, point 3.1—3.3—3.3 and 
3.4 
Omitted 
Annex  II, point  1.2 
Annex II, point  1.5 

Annex II, point  1.5 

Annex V, Section 1 

. Annex II point 3.1 
. Annex II point  3.2 
. Annex II point  3.3 
. Annex II point  3.4 

j 

-  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 
implementing 

to  the  Commission 
legislation  as  well  as  reports  on  implementation. 

their  relevant  national 

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 
30 000 
30 000 
30 000 

20 000 
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. 

III. 

WHAT  DIRECT  OBLIGATIONS  ARE  IMPOSED  ON  BUSINESSES? 

-  42  -

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 
the 
conclusions  of  a  detailed  study  of  the  socio-economic  impact  of  this 
proposa I . 

observations 

remark:  the 

following 

drawn 

from 

are 

a)  on compet it iveness 

-  43 -

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 

ISSN 0254-1475 

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