CELEX: 51990PC0664
Language: en
Date: 1990-12-19
Title: PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE CONCERNING THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROVISION OF SAFETY AND/OR HEALTH SIGNS AT WORK

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)
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 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)     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.
 ---pagebreak---                                             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.
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 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,   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).
 ---pagebreak---                                         - 5 -
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
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 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.
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                                         - 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;
(1)  . .
(2)  . .
(3)  .. ,
(4)  OJ No C 28, 3.2.1988, p.3.
(5)  OJ No L 229 , 7.9.2977, p. 12
 (6) OJ No L 183 , 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 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
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 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) ;
 ---pagebreak---                                 - 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   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.
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 12 -
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.
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 13 -
                                 ARTICLE i l
Directive 77/576/EEC   shall   be  repealed  on the date    referred   to in
Article 12.
Any references to the repealed Directive shall be taken to refer to
the corresponding provisions of this Directive, as listed in the table
in Annex X.
                                 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
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 14 -
                                                                   ANNEX 1
                GENERAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING
                        SAFETY AND/OR HEALTH SIGNS
                                  A I 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                             - 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.
           I
Colour        Meaning or purpose                           Instruct ions
              Prohibit ion                                 Dangerous behaviour
              Danger - alarm                               Stop, shutdown, turn off
           i                                               power
Red        i                                               Evacuate
           i  Fire-fighting equipment                      Ident i f icat ion and
           i            "•    — * - —     • • - •
                                                           location
Ye I low      Warning                                      Be careful , take
           i                                               precautions
           i
Amber      i                                               Examine                  :
           | Obligation                                    Specific behaviour or     j
           S                                               act ion -
Blue        I                                              Wear personal protective ;
            i                                              equipment
              Emergency escape                             Doors, exits, routes,
              routes, first aid                            equipment, facilities
Green
              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;
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                         - 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.
       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.
 ---pagebreak---                                                        -  1R   -
3   SI'JNBCARDS            TO BE U3ED
2*1    p r o h i b i t o r y signs
       f l m t r i n e i c 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 t o t a k e up ••* l«».»*t V>% «>f Iho -«,.».« .if                    I'"'
                  sign).
      a S i g n s t « be u s e d :
 ---pagebreak---                                                        - 19 -
J»?  Warning signs
    • Jmtr^asic features
       •  t r itUt'Jt.il.-r shrtpp
       *  M * ( !> p'it«»r|rHni on ;• y d I f •«.» ILK" ICJI (»;.;r»(j w i t h M m k r f j r j i r v i (llir
          yo!1-v«i p a r t t o t a k e up *{ l.».v*t V'% o f t h e a r . M . i f :l. t >
         sign).
    • Sigas t« be used:
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 20 -
       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.
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 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       Safety helaet Bust     Ear protection «U6t
be wora                   be wora                be wora
Respiratory equipaent      Safety boots         Safety gloves «ust
•u&t be wora               •ust be wora         be worn
  Safety overalls            Face protection    Safety harness
  must be wora               must be used       •ust be worn
                           pedestrians »u<",t
                           use .tills, rnnt.e
 ---pagebreak---                                                                       - 22 -
.la  Emergency escape or f i r s t - a i d signs
    1 I a t r i m s i c features
       •    ' J i i t o p i • l<-jr .im nr, * •jr« , .-ri !..«» k'jr <nj.id ( t h o 'jr<M-n ,..«rt t# take
              up        .V, ]r«ast f '0X rf" I So i-n <.» i»T I he s i g n ) .
    •  S i g n s t a be u s e d :
 ---pagebreak---                                 - 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)
                            EThis way
                         (supplementary siga)
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 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                                           green
            air                                             I ight blue
            steam                                           si I ver grey
            flammable oils and liquids                      brown
            oxygen (gas or liquid)                          wh i te
            gases other than air and oxygen                 amber
            acids                                           purple
            bases                                           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
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                       - ?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
                                                                     (call
                                                                            in an
                                                                                 to
                                                                           serv i ce
 ---pagebreak---                                                -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 n s of the human v o i c e ) or indirect
         (by m e a n s of a human or artificial voice which is broadcast by whatever
        m e a n s 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                                   to indicate the start of a command
         stop                                    to interrupt or end a movement
         end                                     to stop the operation
         raise                                   to have a load raised
         lower                                   to have a load lowered
         forwards                                to be coordinated with the
         backwards                               corresponding hand s i g n a l s .
         r ight
         left
         danger                                : for an emergency  stop
         qu i ck I y                           : to speed up a movement for safety
                                                 reasons.
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 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.
 ---pagebreak---            ,                                  - 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           palms faeirvj forward
    command
    STOP               the rir.jht arm p o i n t s upwards
    Inter ruption      w i t h the palm facincj forwards
    End of
    movement
    END                both hands are clasped at chest
    of the             height
    operation
 ---pagebreak---                                         - 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
 ---pagebreak---                                            - 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               the right arm is extended more or- less  ^         /~\
signalman's          horizontally with the palm
                                                                    m
                                                              ^^^~^N\>'
RIGHT                facing downwards and slowly makes
                     small movements to the right
to the               the left arm is extended more or loss
signalman's
LEFT
                     horizontally with the palm
                     facing downwards and slowly makes
                                                               r^S
                     small movements to the left              UL
 ---pagebreak---                              - 34 -
MEANING               DESCRIPTION      ILLUSTRATION
U. DANGER
DANGER    both arms point upwards with
Emergency the palms facing forwards
stop
QUICKLY   all movements faster
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 35 -
                                                                                  ANNEX X
                         TABLE OF CORRESPONDING ARTICLES
DIRECTIVE 77/576/EEC, AS AMENDED                  CORRESPONDING ARTICLES IN THIS
OY DIRECTIVE 79/640/EEC                           DIRECTIVE
                           • |         • • • ^ l .  — » l l — 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
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 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
 ---pagebreak---                                         - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                            - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 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
                                   CA (ECU)        PA (ECU)
     1993
     1994                           20 000         20 000
     1995                           30 000         30 000
     1996                           30 000         30 000
     1997                           30 000         30 000
                                    110 000        110 000
     Item A 2531
                                    CA (ECU)       PA (ECU)
     1993
     1994
     1995                           10 000         10 000
     1996                           10 000         10 000
     1997                           10 000         10 000
                                    30 000         30 000
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                         - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 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 .
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 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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                                                               COM (90) 664 final
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