CELEX: 51990PC0663
Language: en
Date: 1991-01-21
Title: PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE CONCERNING MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPROVING THE SAFETY AND HEALTH PROTECTION OF WORKERS IN THE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES

7. 2. 91                             Official Journal of the European Communities                                No C 32/7
                                                               II
                                                      (Preparatory Acts)
                                                 COMMISSION
              Proposal for a Council Directive concerning minimum requirements for improving the safety
                               and health protection of workers in the extractive industries
                                               COM(90) 663 final — SYN 321
                                    (Submitted by the Commission on 21 December 1990)
                                                        (91 / C 32/07)
 THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,                          Whereas the extractive industries are higher than average
                                                                   risk activities;
 Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
 Economic Community and in particular Article 118a
 thereof,                                                          Whereas the oil and gas sector of these industries is
                                                                   deemed to be of particular importance for introducing
                                                                   improvements in the protection of the safety and health
 Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,                of workers;
 In cooperation with the European Parliament,
                                                                  Whereas this Directive is an individual Directive within
                                                                   the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Council Directive
 Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and
                                                                   89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of
 Social Committee,
                                                                   measures to encourage improvements in the safety and
                                                                  health of workers at work ( 2 ); whereas, therefore, the
                                                                  provisions of the said Directive are fully applicable to the
Whereas Article 118a of the Treaty provides that the
                                                                  domain of the extractive industries without prejudice to
 Council shall adopt, by means of directives, minimum
                                                                  more restrictive and/or specific provisions contained in
requirements for encouraging improvements, especially
                                                                  this Directive;
in the working environment, to ensure a better level of
protection of the safety and health of workers;
Whereas, under the terms of that Article, those directives        Whereas this Directive constitutes a practical aspect of
are to avoid imposing administrative, financial and legal         the realization of the social dimension of the internal
contraints in a way which would hold back the creation            market, in respect of the extractive industries as defined
and development of small and medium-sized under-                  by Council Decision 74/326/EEC of 27 June 1974 on
takings;                                                          the extension of the responsibilities of the Mines Safety
                                                                  and Health Commission to all mineral-extracting
                                                                  industries ( 3 );
Whereas the improvement of workers' safety, hygiene
and health at work is an objective which should not be
subordinated to purely economic considerations;
                                                                  Whereas it is considered appropriate that the scope of
                                                                  activities comprised in the present Directive be identical
Whereas Council Directive 89/654/EEC of 30                        with the scope of activities concerned by Decision
November 1989 concerning the minimum safety and                   74/326/EEC;
health requirements for the workplace (') does not cover
the extractive industries;
                                                                  O OJ No L 183, 29. 6. 1989, p. 1.
0) OJ No L 393, 30. 12. 1989, p. 1.                               (3) OJ No L 185, 9. 7. 1974, p. 18.
 ---pagebreak--- No C 32/8                             Official Journal of the European Communities                                  7. 2. 91
Whereas according to Decision 74/326/EEC the surface                                     SECTION II
back-up facilities of mines and quarries which are not
essential to prospecting, extraction in the strict sense of                 OBLIGATIONS OF THE EMPLOYER
the word, or preparation of the extracted materials for
sale, are not to be considered extractive industries, and                                  Article 3
are therefore within the scope of the Directive
89/654/EEC,                                                                           General obligations
                                                                 (1)    To safeguard the safety and health of workers, the
                                                                 employer shall take necessary measures to ensure that:
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
                                                                — workplaces are designed, constructed, equipped,
                                                                     commissioned, operated and maintained in such a
                                                                     way that workers can perform the work assigned to
                         SECTION I                                   them without danger to themselves and/or others,
                  GENERAL PROVISIONS
                                                                — responsible supervision is present during operation of
                                                                     manned workplaces,
                          Article 1
                           Subject                              — work involving a special risk is entrusted only to
                                                                     suitably qualified staff and carried out in accordance
(1)     This Directive, which is an individual Directive             with the instructions given,
within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive
89/391/EEC, lays down minimum requirements for the
safety and health protection of workers in the extractive        — all safety instructions are comprehensible to the
industries as defined in Article 2.                                  workers concerned,
                                                                 — appropriate first aid facilities are provided,
(2)     The provisions of Directive 89/391/EEC are fully
applicable to the domain referred to in paragraph 1,             — any relevant safety exercises are performed at regular
without prejudice to more restrictive and/or specific
                                                                     intervals.
provisions contained in this Directive.
                                                                 (2)    The employer shall report forthwith to the
                                                                 responsible authorities fatal and serious occupational
                          Article 2                              accidents and dangerous occurrences.
                         Definitions
                                                                                            Article 4
 For the purpose of this Directive:
                                                                 Protection against fire, explosions and health endangering
                                                                                          atmospheres
 — 'Extractive industries' shall be taken to mean the acti-      The employer shall take measures appropriate to the
     vities of prospecting and of extraction in the strict       nature of the operation to protect against, detect and
     sense of the word as well as of preparation of              combat the starting and propagation of fires and
     extracted materials for sale but not the processing of      explosions as well as the occurrence of explosive and/or
     such extracted materials,                                   health endangering atmospheres.
                                                                                            Article 5
 — 'workplace' means the whole area intended to house
     workstations in which work is carried out including                         Escape and rescue facilities
     the immediate and ancillary activities and facilities of
     the    extractive   industries,   including    sanitary     To ensure that workers have adequate opportunities for
     equipment, rest-rooms and accommodation where                leaving all workplaces promptly and safely in the event
     provided to which workers have access in the course          of danger, the employer shall provide and maintain
     of their work.                                               appropriate means for escape and rescue.
 ---pagebreak---   7. 2. 91                              Official Journal of the European Communities                                No C 32/9
                           Article 6                                3.    When      workplaces        undergo    modifications,
                                                                    extensions and/or conversions after 31 December 1992,
         Communication, warning and alarm systems                  the employer shall take the measures necessary to ensure
                                                                   that those modifications, extensions and/or conversions
  The employer shall take measures to provide the                  are in compliance with the corresponding minimum
  necessary warning and other communication systems to             requirements laid down in the Annex.
  enable aid, escape, evacuation and rescue immediately, in
  case of need.
                                                                                              Article 11
                           Article 7
                                                                   In accordance with the procedure laid down in Article
                                                                    118a of the Treaty, the Council shall adopt minimum
       Provision of sanitary equipment and rest-rooms
                                                                   safety and health requirements corresponding to those
 The employer shall provide and maintain appropriate               established in Article 10 of this Directive for the
  sanitary equipment and rest-rooms and, if appropriate,           exploration for and exploitation of minerals by means of
  accommodation.                                                   boreholes in relation to the exploration for and exploi-
                                                                   tation of minerals in mines and quarries.
                           Article 8
                                                                                            SECTION IV
                   Information of workers
                                                                                      OTHER PROVISIONS
 Without prejudice to Article            10 of      Directive
 89/391/EEC, workers and/or their representatives shall
 be informed of all measures to be taken concerning                                          Article 12
 safety and health at the workplaces, in particular of
                                                                                   Amendments to the Annex
 those relating to the implementation of Articles 3 to 7.
                                                                  Amendments to the Annex as a result of:
                           Article 9
                                                                  — the adoption of directives, technical harmonization
     Consultation of workers and workers' participation                and standardization, and/or
 Consultation and participation of workers and/or of
 their representatives shall take place in accordance with        — technical progress, changes in international regu-
Article 11 of Directive 89/391/EEC on the matters                      lations or specifications, and new findings,
 covered by this Directive.
                                                                  shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid
                        SECTION III                               down in Article 17 of Directive 89/391/EEC.
REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPROVING THE SAFETY AND
           HEALTH PROTECTION OF WORKERS
                                                                                             Article 13
                          Article 10                                                      Final provisions
Exploration for and exploitation of minerals by means of          1.     Member States shall bring into force the laws,
                          boreholes                               regulations and administrative provisions necessary to
                                                                  comply with this Directive by 31 December 1992 and
 1.    Workplaces concerned with the exploration for and          shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.
exploitation of minerals by means of boreholes used for
the first time after 31 December 1992 must satisfy the
minimum safety and health requirement laid down in the           When Member States adopt these provisions, these shall
Annex.                                                           contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accom-
                                                                 panied by such reference at the time of their official
                                                                 publication. The procedure for such reference shall be
                                                                 adopted by Member States.
2.     Workplaces already in use before 31 December              2.      The Member States shall communicate to the
1992 must satisfy the minimum safety and health                  Commission the texts of the provisions of national law
requirements laid down in the Annex as soon as possible          which they have already adopted or adopt in the field
and at the latest five years after that date.                    governed by this Directive.
 ---pagebreak---                                          Official Journal of the European Communities                                     7. 2. 91
No C 32/10
3.   Member States shall report to the Commission                      the Safety and Health Commission for the Mining and
every five years on the practical implementation of the                Other Extractive industries.
provisions of this Directive, indicating the points of view
of employers and workers.                                                                              .
The Commission shall inform the European Parliament,
the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and                     This Directive is addressed to the Member States.
                                                               ANNEX
             MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPROVING THE SAFETY AND HEALTH PROTECTION
             OF WORKERS IN THE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES CONCERNED WITH THE EXPLORATION
                      FOR AND THE EXPLOITATION OF MINERALS BY MEANS OF BOREHOLES
             A. COMMON REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE ONSHORE AND OFFSHORE SECTORS
                        Preliminary note
                        The obligations laid down in this Annex apply whenever required by the features of the
                        workplace, the activity, the circumstances or the hazard.
              2.        Stability and solidity
                        Workplaces must be designed, constructed, erected, operated, supervised and maintained to
                        withstand the environmental forces anticipated and have a structure and solidity appropriate to
                        the nature of their use.
              3.        Organization and supervision
              3.1.       Organization of the workplace
              3.1.1.    Workplaces must be organized so as to provide adequate protection against hazards. They must
                        be kept clean, with any hazardous substances or deposits removed or controlled in such a way
                        that they do not pose any threat to the health and safety of the workforce.
              3.1.2.    Workstations must be ergonomically designed and constructed, taking into account the need
                        for workers to be aware of relevant operations of their workstations.
              3.1.3.    Areas within which there is a particular hazard must be delineated and warning signs placed.
              3.2.       Person in charge
                         Every workplace which is manned must at all times be under the charge of a person who has
                         the skills and competence suitable for the appointment, and who is authorized by the employer.
              3.3.       Competent persons
                         At every workplace which is manned there must be provided a sufficient number of competent
                         persons having the abilities and the experience necessary to perform the tasks to which they are
                         assigned.
 ---pagebreak--- 7. 2. 91                         Official J o u r n a l of the E u r o p e a n C o m m u n i t i e s                 N o C 32/11
          3.4.    Supervision
                T o ensure workers' safety and health protection during all operations undertaken, the necessary
                 supervision must be provided. Supervision may only be exercised by responsible and properly
                trained persons appointed by and on behalf of the employer.
          3.5.   Information, instruction and training
                Workers must be given the necessary information, instruction, training and retraining to ensure
                their health and safety.
          3.6.   Written instructions
                Written instructions specifying practices to be observed to ensure the safety of workers and the
                safe use of equipment must be provided for every workplace. These must include information
                on the use of emergency equipment and the action to be taken in the event of an emergency on
                or near the workplace.
          3.7.  Safe systems of work and work permits
                Safe systems of work shall be implemented at every workplace. These shall include a system of
                work permits where hazardous activities are undertaken, or where usually straightforward
                activities may interact with other activities to produce serious hazards. Such permits must be
                authorized by a responsible person prior to the commencement of work. The permit must
                specify the conditions to be fulfilled and the precautions to be taken before, during the work
                and after its completion.
         4.     Mechanical and electrical equipment and plant
         4.1.   General
               Without prejudice to Directive 89/392/EEC and Directive 89/655/EEC, mechanical and elec-
               trical equipment and plant must be designed, constructed, installed, commissioned, operated
               and maintained so as to ensure safe operation. If located in an area within which danger of fire
               or explosion from ignition of gas, vapour or volatile liquid exists or is likely to exist, it must be
               suitable for use in that area. Equipment must, where appropriate, be fitted with suitable
               protective devices and fail-safe systems.
         4.2.  Mechanical equipment and plant
               All equipment and plant must be of good construction, sound material, adequate strength and
               free from patent defect and suitable for the purpose for which it is used.
         4.3.  Electrical equipment and installations
               All electrical equipment and installations must be sufficient in size and power for the work for
               which it is to be used, and so designed, constructed, installed and protected as to prevent
               danger.
         5.    Maintenance
         5.1.  General maintenance
               There shall be in force a suitable scheme providing for the systematic examination, maintenance
               and, where appropriate, testing of mechanical and electrical equipment and plant.
               All maintenance, examination and testing of any part of the plant and equipment must be
               carried out by a competent person. Records of examinations and tests must be made and kept in
               an appropriate manner.
 ---pagebreak--- N o C 32/12                             Official J o u r n a l of the E u r o p e a n C o m m u n i t i e s               7. 2. 91
            5.2.       Safety equipment maintenance
                       Safety equipment must be maintained ready for use and in good order at all times. Maintenance
                       must be undertaken with due regard to operations, to ensure that adequate protection is
                       provided.
            6.         Lifting equipment, crane operations — safety precautions
                       Every lifting appliance or piece of lifting gear must be plainly marked with its safe working load
                       or loads. No lifting appliance or piece of lifting gear may be operated in excess of the safe
                       working load.
                       Every lifting appliance and every piece of lifting gear must be thoroughly examined and, where
                       necessary, tested by a competent person at appropriate intervals and after substantial modifi-
                       cations or following any repair. Records of examinations and tests must be made and kept in an
                       appropriate manner.
                       Only specially approved equipment and procedures may be used for the lifting of persons.
            7.         Well control
                       Suitable well control equipment must be provided for use during well operations to protect
                       against blowouts. Arrangements for such equipment shall take into account the prevailing well
                       and operational conditions.
            8.         Protection against hazardous atmospheres and explosion protection
            8.1.       Efficient means must be provided and used for detecting the presence and for measuring the
                       concentration of hazardous and/or potentially explosive atmospheres.
                       Where the circumstances so require, monitoring devices measuring gas concentrations at
                       specified places automatically and continuously, automatic alarms and devices to cut off power
                       automatically from electrical installations and internal combustion engines must be provided.
                       The results of automatic measurements must be recorded and preserved for a period of 12
                        months.
             8.2.       Protection against hazardous atmospheres
             8.2.1.     Appropriate measures must be provided to extract at source and remove accumulations of
                        hazardous atmospheres, if these are or may be present. The system must be capable of
                        dispersing any such gases in a manner which avoids the contamination of other areas of the
                        installation by those gases.
             8.2.2.     Without prejudice to Directive 89/656/EEC (') and where workers may be endangered by
                        atmospheres which are hazardous to health, appropriate and sufficient breathing and resusci-
                        tation equipment must be provided. A sufficient number of persons must be constantly available
                        to operate such equipment. Protective equipment must be suitably stored and maintained.
             8.2.3.     Where hydrogen sulphide or other toxic gases are or may be present, a gas protection plan
                        detailing the protective equipment and the preventative measures must be available for the
                        relevant authorities.
             8.3.        Explosion protection
             8.3.1.     All necessary measures must be taken to prevent the occurrence and accumulation of potentially
                        explosive atmospheres.
             (') OJ No L 393, 30. 12. 1989, p. 18.
 ---pagebreak--- 7. 2. 91                              Official Journal of the European Communities                                     No C 32/13
          8.3.2.     In areas subject to an explosion hazard all necessary measures must be taken to prevent the
                     ignition of explosive atmospheres.
          8.3.3.    An explosion protection plan detailing the equipment and measures required must be prepared.
          9.         Emergency routes and exits
          9.1.      In the event of danger, it must be possible for workers to evacuate the workplace quickly and as
                    safely as possible.
          9.2.      Every general area must have at least two separate escape routes situated as far apart as possible
                    and leading to a safe area, a safe assembly point or abandonment station.
          9.3.      Emergency routes and exits must remain clear and lead as directly as possible to the open air, to
                    a safe area, a safe assembly point or to an abandonment station.
          9.4.      The number, distribution and dimensions of the emergency routes and exits depend on the use,
                    equipment and dimensions of the workplaces and the maximum number of persons that may be
                    present.
         9.5.       Emergency doors must either open outwards or, if this is not possible, be designed as sliding
                    doors.
         9.6.       Emergency doors should not be so locked or fastened that they cannot be easily and
                    immediately opened by any person who may require to use them in an emergency.
         9.7.       Emergency doors must not be locked by key.
                    The emergency routes and exits, and the traffic routes and doors giving access to them, must be
                    free from obstruction so that they can be used at any time without hindrance.
         9.8.       Emergency routes and exits requiring illumination must be provided with emergency lighting of
                    adequate intensity in case the lighting fails.
         9.9.       Specific emergency routes and exits must be indicated by signs in accordance with Directive
                    77/576/EEC (»).
         10.        Ventilation of enclosed workplaces
         10.1.      Steps shall be taken to ensure that there is sufficient fresh air in enclosed workplaces, having
                    regard to the working methods used and the physical demands placed on the workers.
                    If a ventilation system is used, it shall be maintained in working order.
                    Any breakdown must be indicated by the control system where this is necessary for workers'
                    health.
         10.2.      Air-conditioning or mechanical ventilation installations must be used in such a way that workers
                    are not exposed to draughts which cause discomfort.
                    Any deposit likely to create an immediate danger to the health of workers by polluting the
                    atmosphere must be removed without delay.
         (') OJ No L 229, 7. 9. 1977, p. 12.
 ---pagebreak--- No C 32/14                        Official Journal of the European Communities                                       7. 2. 91
           11.   Room temperature
           11.1. During working hours, the temperature in rooms containing workstations must be suitable for
                 workers, having regard to the working methods being used and the physical demands placed on
                 the workers.
           11.2. The temperature in rest areas, rooms for duty staff, sanitary facilities, canteens and first aid
                 rooms must be appropriate to the particular purpose of such areas.
           11.3. Windows, skylights and glass partitions should allow excessive effects of sunlight in workplaces
                 to be avoided, having regard to the nature of the work and of the workplace.
           12.   Floors, walls, ceilings and roofs of rooms
           12.1. Floors of workplaces must be fixed, stable, not slippery, and free of dangerous bumps, holes or
                 slopes.
                 Rooms containing workstations must be adequately insulated, bearing in mind the type of
                 undertaking involved and the physical activity of the workers.
           12.2. The surfaces of floors, walls and ceilings in rooms must be such that they can be kept at an
                 appropriate standard of hygiene.
           12.3. Transparent or translucent walls and in particular all glass partitions in rooms or in the vicinity
                 of workplaces and traffic routes must be clearly indicated. These must be made of safety
                 material or be shielded from such places or traffic routes to prevent workers from coming into
                 contact with walls or being injured should the walls shatter.
           12.4. Access to roofs made of non-loadbearing materials must be controlled. Suitable equipment must
                 be provided to ensure that requisite work there can be carried out in a safe manner.
           13.   Natural and artificial lighting
                 Every workplace must be provided throughout with lighting capable of supplying illumination
                 sufficient to ensure the health and safety of persons therein. The lighting installation must be
                 arranged to ensure that operational control areas, escape routes, embarkation areas and
                 hazardous areas remain illuminated in both normal and emergency conditions.
           14.   Windows and skylights
           14.1. Windows, skylights and ventilation devices which are meant to be opened, adjusted or secured
                 must be such that these operations can be carried out safely.
                 They must not be positioned so as to constitute a hazard to workers when open.
           14.2. It must be possible to clean windows and skylights without risk.
           15.   Doors and gates
           15.1. The position, number and dimensions of doors and gates, and the materials used in their
                 construction must be determined by the nature and use of the rooms or areas.
           15.2. Transparent doors and gates must be appropriately marked at a conspicuous location.
 ---pagebreak--- 7. 2. 91                         Official J o u r n a l of t h e E u r o p e a n C o m m u n i t i e s               N o C 32/15
         15.3.  Swing doors and gates must be transparent or have suitable see-through panels.
         15.4.  Where there is a danger that workers may be injured if doors or gates with transparent or
                translucent surfaces shatter then these must be protected against breakage.
         15.5.  Sliding doors must be fitted with safety devices to prevent them from being derailed and falling
                over.
         15.6.  Doors and gates opening upwards must be fitted with a mechanism to secure them from falling
                back.
         15.7.  Doors along escape routes must be appropriately marked. It must be possible to open them at
                any time.
         15.8.  Doors for pedestrians must be provided in the immediate vicinity of any gates intended
                primarily for vehicle traffic, unless it is safe for pedestrians to pass through. Such doors must be
                clearly marked and kept free of obstruction.
         15.9.  Mechanical doors and gates must function in such a way that the risk of accident to workers is
                minimized.
                They must be fitted with easily identifiable and accessible emergency stop devices. Unless they
                open automatically in the event of a power failure, it must also be possible to open them
                manually.
         15.10. Where chains are used to constrain access at any place, these should be clearly visible and
                appropriately identified by signs denoting any prohibition or warning.
         16.    Traffic routes
         16.1.  It must be possible to reach workplaces without danger and to leave them quickly and safely in
                an emergency.
         16.2.  Traffic routes and/or access routes, including stairs, fixed ladders and loading ramps, must be
                so located and of such dimensions that they are safe and do not represent a danger to workers
                employed in the vicinity.
         16.3.  The dimensions of routes used for pedestrian traffic and/or goods traffic must be suitable for
                the number of potential users and the type of undertaking.
                A sufficient safety clearance must be provided for pedestrians, if vehicles are used on traffic
                routes.
         16.4.  Sufficient clearance must be allowed between vehicle traffic routes and doors, gates, passages
                for pedestrians, corridors and staircases.
         16.5.  Where the use and equipment of rooms so requires, traffic or access routes must be clearly
                identified for the protection of workers.
         16.6.  Where road vehicles enter the workplace, traffic regulations must be established as necessary.
         17.    Dangerous areas
         17.1.  Dangerous areas must be clearly indicated.
         17.2.  Unauthorized access to workplaces with dangerous areas, including those where there is a risk
                of objects or workers falling, must where possible be prevented.
         17.3.  Appropriate measures must be taken to ensure the protection of health and safety of workers
                authorized to enter dangerous areas.
 ---pagebreak--- N o C 32/16                        Official J o u r n a l of the E u r o p e a n C o m m u n i t i e s             7. 2. 91
            18.   Room dimensions and air space in rooms — freedom of movement at the workstation
            18.1. Workrooms must have sufficient surface area, height and air space to allow workers to perform
                  their work without risk to their safety, health or well-being.
            18.2. The space available to workers at their workstation must be such to allow sufficient freedom of
                  movement as well as to perform their work safely.
            19.   Rest-rooms
            19.1. Where the safety or health or numbers of workers so requires, workers must be provided with
                  an easily accessible rest-room.
                  This provision does not apply where the workers are employed in offices or similar workrooms
                  providing equivalent relaxation during breaks.
            19.2. Rest-rooms must be large enough for the number of workers and equipped with an adequate
                  number of tables and seats with backs.
            19.3. Appropriate measures must be introduced in rest-rooms for the protection of non-smokers
                  against tobacco smoke.
            20.   Outdoor workplaces
            20.1. Workstations, traffic routes and other areas or installations outdoors which are used or
                  occupied by the workers in the course of their activity must be organized in such a way that
                  pedestrians and vehicles can circulate safely.
            20.2. Workplaces outdoors must be adequately lit by artificial lighting if daylight is not adequate.
            20.3. When workers are employed at workstations outdoors, such workstations must as far as
                  possible be arranged so that workers:
                  — are protected against inclement weather,
                  — are protected from slips, falls and if necessary against falling objects,
                  — are not exposed to harmful noise levels or to harmful external influences such as gases,
                      vapour or dust,
                  — are able to leave their workstations swiftly in the event of danger or can rapidly be assisted
                       so to do.
            21.    Pregnant women and nursing mothers
                  Pregnant women and nursing mothers must be able to lie down to rest in appropriate
                  conditions.
            22.    Handicapped workers
                  Workplaces must be organized to take account of handicapped workers, if necessary.
                  This provision applies in particular to the doors, passageways, staircases, showers, washbasins,
                   lavatories and workstations used or occupied directly by handicapped persons.
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                 B. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE T O T H E O N S H O R E SECTOR
          1.    Fire detection and fire fighting
          1.1.  Wherever workplaces are being designed, constructed, equipped, commissioned, operated or
                maintained, adequate measures must be taken to prevent fires starting and spreading from the
                sources identified in a safety assessment as referred to in Articles 6, 9 and 10 of Directive
                89/391/EEC. Provision must be made for fast and effective fire fighting.
          1.2.  Workplaces must be equipped with appropriate fire-fighting equipment and with fire detectors
                and alarm systems, as necessary.
          1.3.  Fire-fighting equipment intended for general use must be easily accessible, simple to use and,
                where necessary, protected from damage.
          1.4.  A fire protection plan detailing the precautions to be taken in accordance with Articles 3, 4, 5
                and 6 appropriate to protect against, detect and combat the outbreak and spread of fires must
                be kept on site.
          1.5.  The equipment must be indicated by signs in accordance with Directive 77/576/EEC.
         2.     Remote control in emergencies
                Equipment identified as necessary by a safety assessment must be capable of remote control at
                suitable locations in the event of an emergency. Remote control equipment must be able to
               control the isolation and blowdown of wells, plant and pipelines.
         3.    Communication, general and emergency
         3.1.  Every normally manned workplace must be provided with:
               (a) an audio-visual system capable of transmitting an alarm indication to every manned part of
                    the workplace as necessary;
               (b) where appropriate, a system capable of being heard distinctly at all parts of the installation
                    where persons are frequently present.
         3.2.  Facilities for raising an alarm must be provided at suitable locations.
         3.3.  When persons are present on workplaces which are not normally manned, communication
               systems appropriate to the circumstances must be provided.
         4.    Safe assembly points and muster list
               The need for specifying safe assembly points and maintaining muster lists must be evaluated and
               where required the necessary action taken.
         5.    Means of evacuation and escape
         5.1.  Workers must be trained in the appropriate actions to be taken in emergencies.
         5.2.  Rescue equipment must be provided at readily accessible and appropriately sited places and kept
               ready for use.
         5.3.  Where escape routes are difficult and where irrespirable atmospheres are or may be present,
               self-contained escape apparatus must be provided for immediate use at the workstation.
 ---pagebreak--- No C 32/18                             Official Journal of the European Communities
           6.      Safety exercises
                   On normally manned workplaces safety exercises must be held at regular intervals. In these
                   exercises, amongst other matters, each person at the workplace to whom duties have been
                   assigned in the event of emergency involving the use, handling or operation of emergency
                   equipment is instructed and examined. Where relevant, these persons should also be exercised in
                   the correct use, handling or operation of that equipment.
           7.      Sanitary equipment
           7.1.     Changing-rooms and lockers
           7.1.1.  Appropriate changing-rooms must be provided for workers if they have to wear special work
                   clothes and where, for reasons of health and propriety, they cannot be expected to change in
                   another room. Changing-rooms must be easily accessible, have sufficient capacity and be
                   provided with seating.
           7.1.2.  Changing-rooms must be sufficiently large and have facilities to enable each worker to lock
                   away his clothes during working hours. Provision must be made to enable wet working clothes
                   to be dried.
                    If circumstances so require, lockers for work clothes must be separate from those for ordinary
                   clothes.
           7.1.3.   Provisions must be made for either separate changing-rooms or separate use of changing-rooms
                    for men and women.
           7.2.     Showers and washing facilities
           7.2.1.  Where required by the nature of the work or for health reasons, an adequate and a suitable
                    number of showers must be provided for workers.
                    Provisions must be made for either separate shower-rooms or separate use of shower-rooms for
                    men and women.
            7.2.2.  The shower-rooms must permit each worker to wash without hindrance in suitably hygienic
                    conditions. The showers must be equipped with hot and cold running water.
            7.2.3.  Where showers are not required according to point 7.2.1, washbasins with hot and cold running
                    water must be provided in the vicinity of workstations.
            7.2.4.  Where the rooms housing the showers or washbasins are separate from the changing-rooms,
                     there must be easy communication between the two.
            7.3.     Lavatories and washbasins
                     Separate facilities must be provided in the vicinity of workstations, rest-rooms, changing-rooms
                     and rooms housing showers or washbasins with an adequate number of lavatories and wash-
                     basins.
                     Provisions must be made for separate lavatories or separate use of lavatories for men and
                     women
            8.       First aid facilities
            8.1.     First aid equipment must be available in all places where working conditions require it.
                     This equipment must be suitably marked and easily accessible.
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         8.2. The first aid equipment provided must be fitting to the operation. Where appropriate, a suitable
              room where first aid can be given to injured persons must be provided. Clearly visible first aid
              instruction in the event of accidents must be displayed in this room.
         8.3. First aid rooms must be fitted with essential first aid installations and equipment and be easily
              accessible for stretchers.
              They must be signposted in accordance with Directive 77/576/EEC.
         8.4. A suitable number of persons must be trained in the use of the first aid equipment provided.
              C. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE T O T H E OFFSHORE SECTOR
         1.   Fire detection and fire fighting
         1.1. Appropriate precautions, as identified by a safety assessment, must be undertaken to protect
              against, detect and combat the outbreak and spread of fires. Where appropriate, fire breaks
              should be provided for the purpose of segregating fire risk areas.
         1.2. Adequate fire detection and protection systems, fire-fighting systems and alarms must be
              provided on all workplaces in accordance with the risks identified in a safety assessment. These
              may include but are not limited to:
              — fire detection systems,
              — fire alarms,
              — fire water mains,
              — fire hydrant and hoses,
              — water deluge systems and water monitors,
              — automatic sprinkler systems,
              — gas extinguishant systems,
              — foam systems,
              — portable fire extinguishers,
              — fireman's equipment.
         1.3. Fire-fighting equipment intended for general use must be easily accessible, simple to use and,
              where necessary, protected from damage.
         1.4. A fire protection plan detailing the precautions appropriate to protect against, detect and
              combat the outbreak of fires must be kept on the workplace.
         1.5. Emergency systems must be so segregated or otherwise afforded protection from accidental
              events to the extent necessary to ensure that the emergency functions remain operational in an
              emergency. Where appropriate such systems shall be duplicated.
         1.6. The equipment must be indicated by signs in accordance with Directive 77/576/EEC.
         2.   Remote control in emergencies
         2.1. Equipment identified as    necessary by a safety assessment must be capable of remote control at
              suitable locations in the  event of an emergency. Such equipment must include the systems for
              ventilation, emergency     shut-down of equipment which could give rise to ignition, the
              prevention of the escape   of flammable liquids and gas, fire protection and well control.
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3.     Communication: general and emergency
3.1.   Every normally manned workplace must be provided with:
       — an audio-visual system capable of transmitting an alarm indication to every manned part of
           the workplace as necessary,
       — a public address system capable of being heard distinctly at all parts of the installation where
           persons are frequently present and aural communication is practicable,
       — a system capable of maintaining communication with the shore and the emergency services.
3.2.   Such systems must be capable of remaining operational in the event of an emergency. The
       public address system should be supplemented by communication systems which are not reliant
       on vulnerable power supplies.
3.3.   Facilities for raising an alarm must be provided at suitable locations.
3.4.   When persons are present on workplaces which are not normally manned, communications
       systems appropriate to the circumstances must be provided.
4.     Safe assembly points and muster list
4.1.   All necessary measures must be taken to protect abandonment stations and safe assembly points
       from heat, smoke and the effects of explosion.
4.2.   Each safe assembly point must be as close as possible to its associated abandonment stations and
       have sufficient space to accommodate all persons assigned to the station or stations.
4.3.   Safe assembly points and abandonment stations must be readily accessible from accommodation
       and work areas.
4.4.   A list of the personnel on a workplace must be maintained at all times. Every person on the
       workplace must be allocated a safe assembly point. Records of persons assigned to different
     4
       abandonment stations must be separately maintained and displayed.
4.5.   A record of persons assigned special duties in the event of an emergency must be provided and
       displayed at suitable locations on the workplace and noted in the written instructions referred
       to in section A under point 3.6.
5.     Means of evacuation and escape
5.1.   Workers must be trained in the appropriate actions to be taken in emergencies.
5.2.   Workers must be given suitable training in survival techniques.
5.3.   Suitable and sufficient means of evacuation in an emergency and means of escape direct to the
       sea must be provided on every workplace.
5.4.   A safety assessment must be undertaken and an emergency plan developed for man overboard
       and workplace evacuation situations. Standby vessels must be available and must be suitably
       equipped to save lives.
5.5.   The minimum requirements for every survival craft (lifeboat), life-raft, lifebuoy and life-jacket
       which are provided are that they:
       — be suitable and equipped to maintain life for a sufficient time,
       — be of sufficient number for all the workers likely to be present,
       — be of a type suitable for the workplace,
 ---pagebreak--- 7. 2. 91                            Official J o u r n a l of the E u r o p e a n C o m m u n i t i e s            N o C 32/21
                  — be properly constructed of suitable materials having regard to their life-saving function and
                      the circumstances in which they may be used and kept ready for use, and
                 — be of such colour as will make them conspicuous when in use, and equipped with devices
                      such that the user can use them to attract the attention of rescuers.
          5.6.   Adequate life-saving appliances must be available for immediate use.
          6.      Safety exercises
                  On normally manned workplaces safety exercises must be held at regular intervals in which:
                 — all persons on the workplace to whom duties have been assigned involving the use, handling
                      or operation of emergency equipment must be instructed and examined in the execution of
                      such duties. Where relevant they should be also exercised in the correct use, handling or
                      operation of that equipment,
                 — all emergency equipment used in the drill is examined, cleaned and, where appropriate,
                      recharged or replaced, and all portable equipment so used is returned to the place where it
                      is ordinarily kept,
                 — survival craft are tested for operation.
         7.      Sanitary equipment
         7.1.     Changing- rooms and lockers
         7.1.1.  Where workers have to wear special work clothes, or where, for reasons of health or propriety,
                 they cannot be expected to change elsewhere, appropriate changing-rooms must be provided.
                 They must be easily accessible and be provided with seating.
         7.1.2.  Changing-rooms must be sufficiently large and have facilities to enable each worker to lock
                 away their clothes during working hours. Provisions must be made to enable wet working
                 clothes to be dried.
                 If circumstances so require (e.g. dangerous substances, humidity, dirt), lockers for work clothes
                 must be separate from those for ordinary clothes.
         7.1.3.  Provision must be made for separate changing-rooms or separate use of changing-rooms for
                 men and women.
         7.2.    Showers and washing facilities
                In addition to those facilities provided in any accommodation area, adequate and suitable
                showers and washing facilities shall if necessary be provided in the vicinity of workstations.
         7.3.    Lavatories and washbasins
                In addition to those facilities provided in any accommodation, an adequate number of lavatories
                and washbasins shall if necessary be provided in the vicinity of workstations.
                Provisions must be made for separate lavatories or separate use of lavatories for men and
                women.
         8.     First aid rooms
         8.1.   One or more first aid rooms must be provided in accordance with the size of the premises and
                the type of activity being carried out.
         8.2.   They must be signposted in accordance with Directive 77/576/EEC.
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No C 32/22
           8.3.  There must be provided such equipment, facilities and medications and such number of suitable
                 persons as are adequate and appropriate in the circumstances for rendering first aid or, where
                 necessary, treatment under the direction of a registered medical practitioner (who may or may
                 not be present).
           8.4.  In addition first aid equipment must be available in all places where working conditions require
                 it.
           8.5.  The provisions of Council Directive . . . on the minimum health and safety requirements for
                 improved medical treatment on board vessels shall apply to workplaces where the provisions of
                 that Directive are more stringent than those of the present Directive.
           9.    Accommodation
           9.1.  If the nature, scale and duration of operations so require, the employer must also provide
                 employees with accommodation which must be:
                 — protected against the effects of explosion, the ingress of smoke and gas and the outbreak
                      and spread of fire as identified by a safety assessment,
                 — suitably equipped with ventilation, heating and lighting facilities,
                 — provided at each level with at least two independent exits leading to escape routes,
                 — protected against noise, smells and fumes likely to be hazardous to health from other areas,
                      and against the weather,
                 — separate from any workstation and located away from dangerous areas.
           9.2.   Such accommodation must contain sufficient beds or bunks for the number of persons expected
                 to sleep on the installation. Any room designated as sleeping accommodation must contain
                 adequate space for the occupants to store their clothes. Separate sleeping rooms for men and
                 women must be provided.
           9.3.   Such accommodation must include a sufficient number of showers and washing facilities
                  equipped with hot and cold running water. Provision must be made for separate shower-rooms
                  or separate use of shower-rooms for men and women.
                  Showers must be sufficiently spacious to permit each worker to wash without hindrance in
                  suitably hygienic conditions.
           9.4.   The accommodation must be equipped with a sufficient number of lavatories and washbasins.
                  Provision must be made for separate facilities or separate use of such facilities for men and
                  women.
            9.5.  The accommodation and its equipment must be maintained to adequate standards of hygiene.
            10.   Helicopter operations
                  Helicopter decks on workplaces must be of sufficient size and located so as to provide a clear
                  approach to enable the largest helicopter using the deck to operate under the most severe
                  conditions anticipated for helicopter operations. The helicopter deck must be of a design and
                  construction adequate for the intended service.
                  There should be provided, and stored in the immediate vicinity of the helicopter landing area,
                  equipment needed for use in the event of an accident involving a helicopter.
            11.   Movement of installations — safety and stability
                  Towing arrangements and procedures must be such as to reduce to a minimum any danger to
                  workers during towing operations. The design and arrangement of towing fittings should have
                  regard to both normal and emergency conditions.