Council Directive 92/57/EECShow full title

PART A GENERAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ON-SITE WORKPLACES

1. Stability and solidity

1.1. Materials, equipment and, more generally, any component which, when moving in any way, may affect the safety and health of workers must be stabilized in an appropriate and safe manner.

1.2. Access to any surface involving insufficiently resistant materials is not authorized unless appropriate equipment or means are provided to enable the work to be carried out safely.

2. Energy distribution installations

2.1. The installations must be designed, constructed and used so as not to present a fire or explosion hazard; persons must be adequately protected against the risk of electrocution caused by direct or indirect contact.

2.2. The design, construction and choice of equipment and protection devices must take account of the type and power of the energy distributed, external conditions and the competence of persons with access to parts of the installation.

3. Emergency routes and exits

3.1. Emergency routes and exits must remain clear and lead as directly as possible to a safe area.

3.2. In the event of danger, it must be possible for workers to evacuate all workstations quickly and as safely as possible.

3.3. The number, distribution and dimensions of emergency routes and exits depend on the use, equipment and dimensions of the site and of the rooms and the maximum number of persons that may be present.

3.4. Specific emergency routes and exits must be indicated by signs in accordance with the national regulations implementing Directive 77/576/EEC(1).

Such signs must be sufficiently resistant and be placed at appropriate points.

3.5. 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.

3.6. Emergency routes and exits requiring illumination must be provided with emergency lighting of adequate intensity in case the lighting fails.

4. Fire detection and fire fighting

4.1. Depending of the characteristics of the site, the dimensions and use of the rooms, the on-site equipment, the physical and chemical properties of the substances present and the maximum potential number of people present, an adequate number of appropriate fire-fighting devices and, where required, fire detectors and alarm systems must be provided.

4.2. These fire-fighting devices, fire detectors and alarm systems must be regularly checked and maintained.

Appropriate tests and drills must take place at regular intervals.

4.3. Non-automatic fire-fighting equipment be easily accessible and simple to use.

The equipment must be indicated by signs in accordance with the national regulations implementing Directive 77/576/EEC.

Such signs must be sufficiently resistant and placed at appropriate points.

5. Ventilation

Steps shall be taken to ensure that there is sufficient fresh air, having regard to the working methods used and the physical demands placed on the workers.

If a forced ventilation system is used, it must be maintained in working order and must not expose workers to draughts which are harmful to health.

Any breakdown must be indicated by a control system where this is necessary for workers' health.

6. Exposure to particular risks

6.1. Workers must not be exposed to harmful levels of noise or to harmful external influences (e.g. gases, vapours, dust).

6.2. If workers have to enter an area where the atmosphere is liable to contain a toxic or harmful substance or to have an insufficient oxygen level or to be inflammable, the confined atmosphere must be monitored and appropriate steps taken to prevent any hazards.

6.3. A worker may not in any circumstances be exposed to a high-risk confined atmosphere.

He must at least be watched at all times from outside and all appropriate precautions must be taken to ensure that he can be assisted effectively and immediately.

7. Temperature

During working hours, the temperature must be appropriate for human beings, having regard to the working methods used and the physical demands placed on the workers.

8. Natural and artificial lighting of workstations, rooms and traffic routes on the site

8.1. Workstations, rooms and traffic routes must as far as possible have sufficient natural lighting and be provided with appropriate and sufficient artificial lighting at night and when natural daylight is inadequate; where necessary, portable light sources that are protected against impact must be used.

The colour of artificial light used must not alter or affect the perception of signals or signposts.

8.2. Lighting installations for rooms, workstations and traffic routes must be placed in such a way that there is no risk of accident to workers as a result of the type of lighting fitted.

8.3. Rooms, workstations and traffic routes where workers are especially exposed to risks in the event of artificial lighting must be provided with emergency lighting of adequate intensity.

9. Doors and gates

9.1. Sliding doors must be fitted with a safety device to prevent them from being derailed and falling over.

9.2. Doors and gates opening upwards must be fitted with a mechanism to secure them against falling back.

9.3. Doors and gates along escape routes must be appropriately marked.

9.4. In the immediate vicinity of gates intended primarily for vehicle traffic, there must be doors for pedestrian traffic unless it is safe for pedestrians to cross; such doors must be clearly marked and kept free at all times.

9.5. Mechanical doors and gates must operate without any risk of accident to workers.

They must be fitted with emergency stop devices which are easily identifiable and accessible and, unless they open automaticially in the event of a power-cut, it must be possible for them to be opened manually.

10. Traffic routes — danger areas

10.1. Traffic routes, including stairs, fixed ladders and loading bays and ramps, must be calculated, located, laid out and made negotiable to ensure easy, safe and appropriate access in such a way as not to endanger workers employed in the vicinity of these traffic routes.

10.2. Routes used for pedestrian traffic and/or goods traffic including those used for loading and unloading must be dimensioned in accordance with the number of potential users and the type of activity concerned.

If means of transport are used on traffic routes, a sufficient safety clearance or adequate protective devices must be provided for other site users.

Routes must be clearly marked, regularly checked and properly maintained.

10.3. Sufficient clearance must be allowed between vehicle traffic routes and doors, gates, passages for pedestrians, corridors and staircases.

10.4. If the site includes limited-access areas, these must be equipped with devices to prevent unauthorized workers from entering.

Appropriate measures must be taken to protect workers who are authorized to enter the danger areas.

Danger areas must be clearly signposted.

11. Loading bays and ramps

11.1. Loading bays and ramps must be suitable for the dimensions of the loads to be transported.

11.2. Loading bays must have at least one exit point.

11.3. Loading ramps must be sufficiently safe to prevent workers from falling off.

12. Freedom of movement at the workstation

The floor area at the workstation must be such as to allow workers sufficient freedom of movement to perform their work, taking account of any necessary equipment or applicances present.

13. First aid

13.1. The employer must ensure that first aid can be provided, and that the staff trained to provide it can be called upon, at any time.

Measures must be taken to ensure that workers who have had an accident or have suddenly been taken ill can be removed for medical treatment.

13.2. One or more first-aid rooms must be provided where the scale of the works or the types of activity being carried out so require.

13.3. First-aid rooms must be fitted with essential first-aid installations and equipment and be easily accessible to stretchers.

They must be signposted in accordance with the national regulations implementing Directive 77/576/EEC.

13.4. In addition, first-aid equipment must be available at all places where working conditions so require.

This equipment must be suitably marked and easily accesible.

The address and telephone number of the local emergency service must be clearly displayed.

14. Sanitary equipment

14.1. Changing rooms and lockers.

14.1.1. Appropriate changing rooms must be provided for workers if they have to wear special work clothes and if, for reasons of health or propriety, they cannot be expected to change in another area.

Changing rooms must be easily accessible, be of sufficient capacity and be provided with seating.

14.1.2. Changing rooms must be sufficiently large and have facilities to enable each worker, where necessary, to dry his working clothes as well as his own clothing and personal effects and to lock them away.

If circumstances so require (e.g. dagerous substances, humidity, dirt), facilities must be provided to enable working clothes to be kept in a place separate from workers' own clothes and personal effects.

14.1.3. Provisions must be made for separate changing rooms or separate use of changing rooms for men and women.

14.1.4. If changing rooms are not required as referred to in point 14.1.1, first paragraph, each worker must be provided with a place in which he can lock away his own clothes and personal effects.

14.2. Showers and washbasins

14.2.1. Suitable showers in sufficient numbers must be provided for workers if required by the nature of the work or for health reasons.

Provisions must be made for separate shower rooms or separate use of shower rooms for men and women.

14.2.2. The shower rooms must be sufficiently large to permit each worker to wash without hindrance in conditions of an appropriate standard of hygiene.

The showers must be equipped with hot and cold running water.

14.2.3. Where showers are not required under the first paragraph of 14.2.1, a sufficient number of suitable washbasins with running water (hot water if necessary) must be provided in the vicinity of the workstations and the changing rooms.

Provisions must be made for separate washbasins, or separate use of washbasins for men and women when so required for reasons of propriety.

14.2.4. Where the rooms housing, the showers or washbasins are separate from the changing rooms, there must be easy communication between the two.

14.3. Lavatories and washbasins

Special facilities with an adequate number of lavatories and washbasins must be provided for workers in the vicinity of workstations, rest rooms, changing rooms and rooms housing showers or washbasins.

Provisions must be made for separate lavatories or separate use of lavatories for mens and women.

15. Rest rooms and/or accommodation areas

15.1. Where the safety or health of workers, in particular because of the type of activity carried out or the presence of more than a certain number of employees as well as the remote nature of the site, so require, workers must be provided with easily accessible rest rooms and/or accommodation areas.

15.2. Rest rooms and/or accommodation areas must be large enough and equipped with an adequate number of tables and seats with backs for the number of workers concerned.

15.3. If there are no facilities of this kind, other facilities must be provided in which workers can stay during interruptions in work.

15.4. Fixed accommodation areas unless used only in exceptional cases, must have sufificient sanitary equipment, a rest room and a leisure room.

They must be equipped with beds, cupboards, tables and seats with backs taking account of the number of workers, and be allocated taking account, where appropriate, of the presence of workers of both sexes.

15.5. Appropriate measures should be taken for the protection of non-smokers against discomfort caused by tobacco smoke in rest rooms and/or accommodation areas.

16. Pregnant women and nursing mothers

Pregnant women and nursing mothers must be able to lie down to rest in appropriate conditions.

17. Handicapped workers

Workplaces must be organized to take account of handicapped workers, if necessary.

The provision applies in particular to the doors, passageways, staircases, showers, washbasins, lavatories and workstations used or occupied directly by handicapped persons.

18. Miscellaneous provisions

18.1. The surroundings and the perimeter of the site must be signposted and laid out so as to be clearly visible and identifiable.

18.2. Workers must be provided at the site with a sufficient quantity of drinking water and possibly another suitable non-alcoholic beverage both in occupied rooms and in the vicinity of workstations.

18.3. workers must:

• be provided with facilities enabling them to take their meals in satisfactory conditions,

• where appropriate, be provided with facilities enabling them to prepare their meals in satisfactory conditions.

(1)

OJ No L 229, 7. 9. 1977, p. 12. Last amended by Directive 79/640/EEC (OJ No L 183, 19. 7. 1979, p. 1).