Health and safety of workers: conditions applicable to the workplace

SUMMARY OF:

Directive 89/654/EEC — minimum safety and health requirements for the workplace

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DIRECTIVE?

It lays down minimum requirements aimed at protecting the health and safety of workers at their workplace*.

It supplements the general provisions of Directive 89/391/EEC on matters of health and safety at work.

KEY POINTS

The directive does not apply to:

means of transport used outside the company or workplaces situated inside means of transport;
temporary or mobile work sites;
extractive industries;
fishing boats;
fields, woods and other land situated away from the buildings of an agricultural or forestry company.

Employers’ obligations

The minimum health safety and requirements applicable are provided in Annex I to the directive for cases where the workplaces were used for the first time after 31 December 1992 or when these locations were converted after this date. Workplaces used before 1 January 1993 had to meet the requirements laid down in Annex II to the directive.

In addition, the employer must ensure:

emergency exits are kept clear and can be used at all times;
good technical maintenance of the workplace, equipment and devices, and the quick rectification of defective elements which may present a risk;
adequate hygiene conditions;
regular maintenance and checks of safety equipment to prevent and eliminate hazards.

Information and consultation of workers

Workers and/or their representatives are informed of all measures to be taken in order to protect their health and safety.
They are consulted on all issues and measures connected with this area, in accordance with the rules laid down in Directive 89/391/EEC.

Reporting

Every 5 years, EU countries must report to the European Commission on the implementation of Directive 89/391/EEC and its related directives, including Directive 89/654/EEC.

FROM WHEN DOES THE DIRECTIVE APPLY?

It has applied since 15 December 1989 and had to become law in the EU countries by 31 December 1992.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

Health and safety at work (European Commission)
Directive 89/654/EEC — workplace requirements (European Agency for Safety and Health at Work).

KEY TERMS

Workplace: the workstations housed on the premises of the business where a worker is employed, and any other place within the area of the business to which the worker has access in the course of his/her employment.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Council Directive 89/654/EEC of 30 November 1989 concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for the workplace (first individual directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (OJ L 393, 30.12.1989, pp. 1-12)

Successive amendments to Directive 89/654/EEC have been incorporated in the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.