Directive 92/58/EEC

Last updated
Directive 92/58/EEC
European Union directive
Flag of Europe.svg
TitleCOUNCIL DIRECTIVE 92/58/EEC of 24 June 1992 on the minimum requirements for the provision of safety and/or health signs at work (ninth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)
Made byCouncil
Journal reference L 245, 26 August 1992, pp. 23–42
History
Date made24 June 1992
Came into force22 July 1992
Other legislation
ReplacesDirective 77/576/EEC
Amended byRegulation (EU) 2019/1243
Current legislation
An exit sign designed in accordance with the Directive Notausgang - 11.jpg
An exit sign designed in accordance with the Directive

The Directive 92/58/EEC specifies the minimum requirements for safety signs within the European Union. [1] It superseded the Directive 77/576/EEC. [1] While not being replaced by the standard ISO 7010, both signage systems can be used. [2] This directive does not apply to signage used for controlling roadway, railway, waterway or air transportation. [1]

Contents

Structure

Directive 92/58/EEC consists of 3 sections, 12 articles and 9 annexes. [1] Section one simply defines the function of the directive, as well as provide definitions. Section 2 specifies that employers are required to post safety/health signs, whenever a hazard can't be eliminated. [1] It also provides guidance to member states regarding adoption of the directive in their laws and the implementation of the law. Signs already in use had to be brought up to Directive 92/58/EEC standards within 18 months after 24 June 1994. Signs posted on or after 24 June 1994 were required to comply with the directive when posted. [1] Section 3 contained the effective date for the directive, repealed the older Directive 77/576, and reporting obligations of member states to the European Commission. [1]

Annexes

The nine annexes of the directive layout the actual designs and requirements of signs regulated by the directive. [1]

Annex I

Annex I, General Minimum Requirements Concerning Safety And/Or Health Signs At Work, lays out the types of signs, the colors used on signs, and the implementation/installation of signs. [1]

ColourPurposeExamples
RedProhibited signRestriction of dangerous or undesirable behaviours or objects
Danger alarmStop, shutdown, evacuate, identification and location of emergency stop switches
Fire-fighting equipmentIdentification and location of fire-fighting equipment
Yellow/amberWarning signIdentification of hazards
BlueMandatory signrequiring a specific behaviour or action, wearing personal protective equipment
GreenEmergency escape, first aid signlocation and identification of doors, exits, evacuation routes, equipment and facilities
No dangerReturn to normal working

Annex II (Signboards)

Annex II, Minimum General Requirements Concerning Signboards, spells out the designs of symbols used in the directive. While specific symbol designs are provided, pictograms are permitted to vary so long as the variation in design does not reduce the symbol's effectiveness at conveying its meaning. [1]

The directive contains five categories of signs, as shown below: [1]

Prohibitory signs

Warning signs

Mandatory signs

Emergency escape or first-aid signs

Fire-fighting signs

Annex III

Annex III, Minimum Requirements Governing Signs on Containers and Pipes', lays out specific requirements for labeling of pieping systems and storage containers containing dangerous substances defined by Directives 67/548 and 88/379.

Annex IV

Annex IV, Minimum Requirements for the identification and location of fire-fighting equipment, is specific to fire-fighting equipment, specifying that red should be used to mark the equipment and its storage location, to supplement the fire-fighting signage provided in Annex III.

Annex V

Black and yellow hazard stripes defined by Annex V. HSR 1996 V 1.4a.svg
Black and yellow hazard stripes defined by Annex V.

Annex V, Minimum Requirements Governing Signs Used For Obstacles and Dangerous Locations, and Marking Traffic Routes, lays out the use of colored stripes for marking obstacles and identifying of traffic routes in work places. [1]

Annex VI

Annex VI, Minimum Requirements for Illuminated Signs, sets standards for the use of illuminated signage, the incorporation of colors and pictograms, as defined in Annex I and II and usage with acoustic signals. [1]

Annex VII

Annex VII, Minimum requirements for Acoustic Signs, sets requirements for sound signals, such as horns, sirens, alarm bells. [1]

Annex VIII

Annex VIII, Minimum requirements for Verbal Communication, sets requirements for communications using words, and defines specific code words. [1]

Code wordMeaning
StartTo indicate the start of a command
StopTo interrupt or end a movement
EndTo stop the operation
RaiseTo have a load raised
LowerTo have a load lowered
ForwardsTo be coordinated with the corresponding hand signals
Backwards
Right
Left
DangerFor an emergency stop
QuicklyTo speed up a movement for safety reasons

Annex IX

Annex IX, Minimum Requirements for Hand Signals, describes specific hand signals and the requirements of a "signalman", the person giving the hand signs. [1]

MeaningDescriptionIllustration
A. General Signals
Start.
Attention.
Start of command.
Both arms extended horizontally with the palms facing forward. HSR 1996 IX 3a.svg
Stop.
Interruption.
End of movement.
The right arm points upward with the palm facing forwards. HSR 1996 IX 3b.svg
End
of the operation.
Both hands are clasped at chest height. HSR 1996 IX 3c.svg
B. Vertical Movements
RaiseThe right arm points skywards with the palm facing forward and slowly makes a circle. HSR 1996 IX 3d.svg
LowerThe right arm points downwards with the palm facing inwards and slowly makes a circle. HSR 1996 IX 3e.svg
Vertical DistanceThe hands indicate the relevant distance. HSR 1996 IX 3f.svg
C. Horizontal Movements
Move forwards.Both arms are bent with the palms facing upwards, and the forearms make slow movements towards the body. HSR 1996 IX 3g.svg
Move backwards.Both arms are bent with the palms facing downwards, and the forearms make slow movements away from the body. HSR 1996 IX 3h.svg
Right
to the signalman.
The right arm is extended more or less horizontally with the palm facing downwards and slowly makes small movements to the right. HSR 1996 IX 3i.svg
Left
to the signalman.
The left arm is extended more or less horizontally with the palm facing downwards and slowly makes small movements to the left. HSR 1996 IX 3j.svg
Horizontal DistanceThe hands indicate the relevant distance HSR 1996 IX 3k.svg
D. Danger
Danger.
Emergency stop.
Both arms point upwards with the palms facing forwards. HSR 1996 IX 3l.svg
QuickMake all movements faster
SlowMake all movements slower

Implementation in member states

European member states adopted the directive in the following legal acts in their nation.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Personal protective equipment</span> Equipment designed to help protect an individual from hazards

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury or infection. The hazards addressed by protective equipment include physical, electrical, heat, chemical, biohazards, and airborne particulate matter. Protective equipment may be worn for job-related occupational safety and health purposes, as well as for sports and other recreational activities. Protective clothing is applied to traditional categories of clothing, and protective gear applies to items such as pads, guards, shields, or masks, and others. PPE suits can be similar in appearance to a cleanroom suit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Safety data sheet</span> Sheet listing work-related hazards

A safety data sheet (SDS), material safety data sheet (MSDS), or product safety data sheet (PSDS) is a document that lists information relating to occupational safety and health for the use of various substances and products. SDSs are a widely used type of fact sheet used to catalogue information on chemical species including chemical compounds and chemical mixtures. SDS information may include instructions for the safe use and potential hazards associated with a particular material or product, along with spill-handling procedures. The older MSDS formats could vary from source to source within a country depending on national requirements; however, the newer SDS format is internationally standardized.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emergency exit</span> Pathway out of a structure designed for use during emergency evacuations

An emergency exit in a building or other structure is a special exit used during emergencies such as fires. The combined use of regular and emergency exits allows for faster evacuation, and emergency exits provide alternative means of evacuation if regular exits are inaccessible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CE marking</span> European Declaration of conformity mark

The presence of the logo on commercial products indicates that the manufacturer or importer affirms the goods' conformity with European health, safety, and environmental protection standards. It is not a quality indicator or a certification mark. The CE marking is required for goods sold in the European Economic Area (EEA); goods sold elsewhere may also carry the mark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Directive 67/548/EEC</span>

The Dangerous Substances Directive was one of the main European Union laws concerning chemical safety, until its full replacement by the new regulation CLP Regulation (2008), starting in 2016. It was made under Article 100 of the Treaty of Rome. By agreement, it is also applicable in the EEA, and compliance with the directive will ensure compliance with the relevant Swiss laws. The Directive ceased to be in force on 31 May 2015 and was repealed by Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.

A placard is a notice installed in a public place, like a small card, sign, or plaque. It can be attached to or hung from a vehicle or building to indicate information about the vehicle operator or contents of a vehicle or building. It can also refer to paperboard signs or notice carried by picketers or demonstrators.

ISO 13485Medical devices -- Quality management systems -- Requirements for regulatory purposes is a voluntary standard, published by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for the first time in 1996, and contains a comprehensive quality management system for the design and manufacture of medical devices. The latest version of this standard supersedes earlier documents such as EN 46001 and EN 46002 (1996), the previously published ISO 13485, and ISO 13488.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battery Directive</span>

The Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 September 2006 on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators and repealing Directive 91/157/EEC, commonly known as the Battery Directive, regulates the manufacture and disposal of batteries in the European Union with the aim of "improving the environmental performance of batteries and accumulators".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002</span> United Kingdom legislation

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 is a United Kingdom Statutory Instrument which states general requirements imposed on employers to protect employees and other persons from the hazards of substances used at work by risk assessment, control of exposure, health surveillance and incident planning. There are also duties on employees to take care of their own exposure to hazardous substances and prohibitions on the import of certain substances into the European Economic Area. The regulations reenacted, with amendments, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Work Regulations 1999 and implement several European Union directives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cosmetics Directive</span> 1976 European Union law

Council Directive 76/768/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products was the main European Union law on the safety of cosmetics. It was made under Art. 100 of the Treaty of Rome. By agreement, it was also applicable in the European Economic Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Directive 89/391/EEC</span> European Union directive

Directive 89/391/EEC is a European Union directive with the objective to introduce measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work. It is described as a "Framework Directive" for occupational safety and health (OSH) by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.

ISO 14971Medical devices — Application of risk management to medical devices is a voluntary standard for the application of risk management to medical devices. "Voluntary standards do not replace national laws, with which standards' users are understood to comply and which take precedence" over voluntary standards such as ISO 13485 and ISO 14971. The ISO Technical Committee responsible for the maintenance of this standard is ISO/ TC 210 working with IEC/SC62A through Joint Working Group one (JWG1). This standard is the culmination of the work starting in ISO/IEC Guide 51, and ISO/IEC Guide 63. The third edition of ISO 14971 was published in December 2019 and supersedes the second edition of ISO 14971.

The Machinery Directive, Directive 2006/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 is a European Union directive concerning machinery and certain parts of machinery. Its main intent is to ensure a common safety level in machinery placed on the market or put in service in all member states and to ensure freedom of movement within the European Union by stating that "member states shall not prohibit, restrict or impede the placing on the market and/or putting into service in their territory of machinery which complies with [the] Directive".

An exit sign is a pictogram or short text in a public facility marking the location of the closest emergency exit to be used in an emergency that necessitates rapid evacuation. Most fire, building, health, and safety codes require exit signs that are always lit.

ISO 7010 is an International Organization for Standardization technical standard for graphical hazard symbols on hazard and safety signs, including those indicating emergency exits. It uses colours and principles set out in ISO 3864 for these symbols, and is intended to provide "safety information that relies as little as possible on the use of words to achieve understanding."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Safety sign</span> Type of sign

Safety signs are a type of sign designed to warn of hazards, indicate mandatory actions or required use of Personal protective equipment, prohibit actions or objects, identify the location of firefighting or safety equipment, or marking of exit routes.

A custom-made medical device, commonly referred to as a custom-made device (CMD) or a custom device, is a medical device designed and manufactured for the sole use of a particular patient. Examples of custom-made medical devices include auricular splints, dentures, orthodontic appliances, orthotics and prostheses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations</span> United Kingdom legislation

The Health and Safety Regulations 1996 specify the safety signs within Great Britain, Northern Ireland has a similar law. It was issued as a transposition of the European directive 92/58/EEC and replaced The Safety Signs Regulations 1980. They consist of "traditional safety signs", such as prohibitory and warning signs, hand signals, spoken and acoustic signals and hazard marking.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Council Directive 92/58/EEC of 24 June 1992 on the minimum requirements for the provision of safety and/or health signs at work (ninth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)". Official Journal of the European Communities. 35: 23–42. 26 August 1992. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  2. Non-binding guidelines regarding Directive 92/58/EEC : safety and/or health signs at work (European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion ed.). Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. November 2022. ISBN   978-92-76-43370-5 . Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  3. "Directive 2014/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 amending Council Directives 92/58/EEC, 92/85/EEC, 94/33/EC, 98/24/EC and Directive 2004/37/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, in order to align them to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures". Official Journal of the European Union. 57: 1–7. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2023. (a) warning sign 'Harmful or irritant material' is deleted.
  4. Republic of Austria (11 April 1997). "Kennzeichnungsverordnung" (PDF). ris.bka.gv.at (in German). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  5. Légifrance (19 January 2014). "Arrêté du 4 novembre 1993 relatif à la signalisation de sécurité et de santé au travail". legifrance.gouv.fr (in French). French government . Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  6. "Verordnung über Arbeitsstätten". gesetze-im-internet.de. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  7. "ASR A1.3 Sicherheits- und Gesundheitsschutzkennzeichnung". Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin. 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  8. Magyar Közlöny (2 ed.). Budapest, Hungary: Government of Hungary. 1998-01-16. pp. 174–192. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  9. Government of Ireland (1995). "S.I. No. 132/1995 - Safety, Health and Welfare At Work (Signs) Regulations, 1995". irishstatutebook.ie. Government of Ireland. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  10. "DECRETO LEGISLATIVO 14 agosto 1996, n. 493 - Attuazione della direttiva 92/58/CEE concernente le prescrizioni minime per la segnaletica di sicurezza e/o di salute sul luogo di lavoro". normattiva.it. 14 August 1996. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  11. "DECRETO LEGISLATIVO 9 aprile 2008, n. 81 - Attuazione dell'articolo 1 della legge 3 agosto 2007, n. 123, in materia di tutela della salute e della sicurezza nei luoghi di lavoro". normattiva.it. 9 April 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  12. "Real Decreto 485/1997, de 14 de abril, sobre disposiciones mínimas en materia de señalización de seguridad y salud en el trabajo". boe.es. 14 April 1997. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  13. "The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996". legislation.gov.uk. 1996. Retrieved 29 August 2023.