1.1.

Where health and/or safety signs are required by the general rule in Article 3 of the Directive, they must conform to the specific requirements in Annexes II to IX.

1.2.

This Annex introduces those requirements, describes the different uses of safety and/or health signs, and gives general rules on the interchanging and combining of signs.

1.3.

Health and/or safety signs must be used only to convey the message or information specified in the Directive.

2.1.1.

Permanent signboards must be used for signs relating to prohibitions, warnings and mandatory requirements and the location and identification of emergency escape routes and first-aid facilities.

Signboards and/or a safety colour must be used to mark permanently the location and identification of fire-fighting equipment.

2.1.2.

Signboards on containers and pipes must be placed as laid down in Annex III.

2.1.3.

Places where there is a risk of colliding with obstacles or of falling must be permanently marked with a safety colour and/or with signboards.

2.1.4.

Traffic routes must be permanently marked with a safety colour.

2.2.1.

Illuminated signs, acoustic signals and/or verbal communication must be used where the occasion requires, taking into account the possibilities for interchanging and combining signs set out in Section 3, to signal danger, to call persons to take a specific course of action and for the emergency evacuation of persons.

2.2.2.

Hand signals and/or verbal communication must be used where the occasion requires, to guide persons carrying out hazardous or dangerous manoeuvres.

3.1.

Any one of the following may be used if equally effective:

3.2.

Some types of signs may be used together:

5.1.

the presence of another emission source of the same type which interferes with visibility or audibility; therefore, in particular,

5.2.

poor design, insufficient number, incorrect positioning, poor state of repair or incorrect functioning of the signs or signalling devices.

1.1.

The shape and colours of signboards are set out in section 3, in accordance with their specific object (signboards indicating a prohibition, a warning, a mandatory action, an escape route, an emergency or fire-fighting equipment).

1.2.

Pictograms must be as simple as possible and should contain only essential details.

1.3.

The pictograms used may be slightly different from or more detailed than those shown in section 3, provided that they convey the same meaning and that no difference or adaptation obscures the meaning.

1.4.

Signboards are to be made of shock and weather-resistant material suitable for the surrounding environment.

1.5.

The dimensions and colorimetric and photometric features of signoboards must be such that they can be easily seen and understood.

2.1.

Signboards are in principle to be installed at a suitable height and in a position appropriate to the line of sight, taking account of any obstacles, either at the access point to an area in the case of a general hazard, or in the immediate vicinity of a specific hazard or object and in a well-lit and easily accessible and visible location.

Without prejudice to the provisions of Directive 89/654/EEC, phosphorescent colours, reflective materials or artificial lighting should be used where the level of natural light is poor.

2.2.

The signboard must be removed when the situation to which it refers ceases to exist.

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Intrinsic features:

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Intrinsic features:

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Intrinsic features:

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Intrinsic features:

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Intrinsic features:

1.

Containers used at work for dangerous substances or preparations defined in Directives 67 /548 /EEC (1) and 88/379/EEC (2) and containers used for the storage of such dangerous substances or preparations, together with the visible pipes containing or transporting dangerous substances and preparations, must be labelled (pictogram or symbol against a coloured background) in accordance with those Directives.

Paragraph 1 does not apply to containers used at work for brief periods nor to containers whose contents change frequently, provided that alternative adequate measures are taken, in particular for information and/or training, which guarantee the same level of protection.

The labels referred to in paragraph 1 may be:

2.

Signs must be mounted as follows:

3.

Where appropriate, the signs referred to in section 1 of this Annex must have the intrinsic features defined in section 1.4. of Annex II and must fulfil the conditions of use for signboards laid down in section 2 of Annex II.

4.

Without prejudice to sections 1,2 and 3, the labels used on pipes must be positioned visibly in the vicinity of the most dangerous points, such as valves and joint, and at reasonable intervals.

5.

Areas, rooms or enclosures used for the storage of significant quantities of dangerous substances or preparations must be indicated by a suitable warning sign taken from section 3.2 of Annex II, or marked as provided in section 1 of Annex III, unless the labelling of the individual packages or containers is adequate for this purpose, taking into account Annex II, point 1.5 with regard to dimensions.

Stores of a number of dangerous substances or preparations may be indicated by the warning sign for general danger.

The signs or labels referred to above must be positioned, as appropriate, near the storage area or on the door leading into the storage room.

1.

This Annex applies to equipment used exclusively for fire-fighting purposes.

2.

Fire-fighting equipment must be identified by using a specific colour for the equipment and placing a location signboard, and/or by using a specific colour for the places where such equipment is kept, or their access points.

3.

The colour for identifying this equipment is red.

The red area must be sufficiently large to allow the equipment to be identified easily.

4.

The signboards provided for in section 3.5 of Annex Ii must be used to mark the locations of this equipment.

1.1.

Places where there is a risk of colliding with obstacles, of falling or of objects falling should be marked with alternating yellow and black, or red and white stripes in built-up zones in the undertaking to which workers have access during their work.

1.2.

The dimensions of the markings must be commensurate with the scale of the obstacle or dangerous location in question.

1.3.

The yellow and black or red and white stripes must be at an angle of approximately 45o and of more or less equal size.

1.4.

Example:

2.1.

Where the use and equipment of rooms so requires for the protection of workers, traffic routes for vehicles must be clearly identified by continous stripes in a clearly visible colour, preferably white or yellow, taking into account the colour of the ground.

2.2.

The stripes must be located so as to indicate the necessary safe distance between the vehicles and any object which may be near by, and between pedestrians and vehicles.

2.3.

Permanent traffic routes in built-up areas outdoors should, as far as is practicable, be similarly marked, unless they are provided with suitable barriers or pavements.

1.1.

The light emitted by a sign must produce a luminous contrast which is appropriate to its environment, in accordance with the intended conditions of use of the sign, but without producing glare for an excessive amount of light or poor visibility as a result of insufficient light.

1.2.

The luminous area emitting a sign may be of a single colour or contain a pictogram on a specified background.

1.3.

The single colour must correspond to the table of colours and their meanings set out in section 4 of Annex I.

1.4.

Likewise, when the sign contains a pictogram, the latter must comply with all the relevant rules set out in Annex II.

2.1.

If a device can emit both continuous and intermittent signs, the intermittent sign should be used to indicate a higher level of danger or a more urgent need for the requested/imposed intervention or action than is indicated by the continuous sign.

The duration of each flash and the frequency of the flashers of an intermittent illuminated sign must be such as to

2.2.

If a flashing sign is used instead of — or together with — an acoustic signal, identical codes must be used.

2.3.

Devices for emitting flashing signs in the event of grave danger must be under special surveillance or be fitted with an auxiliary lamp.

1.1.

Acoustic signals must:

1.2.

If a device can emit an acoustic signal at variable and constant frequencies, the variable frequency should be used to indicate a higher level of danger or a more urgent need for the requested/imposed intervention or action in relation to the stable frequency.

1.1.

Verbal communication between a speaker or emitter and one or more hearers is to take the form of (sometimes coded) short texts, phrases, groups of words and/or individual words.

1.2.

Spoken messages are to be as short, simple and clear as possible; the verbal skills of the speaker and the hearing abilities of the hearer(s) must be such as to ensure reliable verbal communication.

1.3.

Verbal communication is direct (by means of the human voice) or indirect (by means of a human or artificial voice which is broadcast by whatever means is appropriate).

2.1.

The persons involved must have a good knowledge of the language used so that they are able to pronounce and understand the spoken message correctly and consequently behave in a way which is appropriate to health and /or safety.

2.2.

If verbal communication is used instead of — or together with — gestures, code words should be used such as:

2.1.

The person giving the signs, hereinafter referred to as the ‘signalman’, will use arm/hand movements to give manoeuvring instructions to the person receiving the signs, hereinafter referred to as the (operator).

2.2.

The signalman must be able to monitor all manoeuvres visually without being endangered thereby.

2.3.

The signalman's duties must consist exclusively of directing manoeuvres and ensuring the safety of workers in the vicinity.

2.4.

If the conditions described in point 2.2 are not fulfilled, one or more extra singnalmen should be deployed.

2.5.

The operator must interrupt the ongoing manoeuvre in order to request new instructions when he is unable to carry out the orders he has received with the necessary safety guarantees.

2.6.

The operator must be able to recognize the signalman without difficulty.

The signalman is to wear one or more appropriate distinctive items, e.g. a jacket, helmet, sleeves or armbandds, or carry bats.

The distinctive items are to be brightly coloured, preferably all of the same colour and for the exclusive use of signalmen.