Council Directive 92/57/EECShow full title

Section I On-site indoor workstations

1. Stability and solidity

Premises must have a structure and stability appropriate to the nature of their use.

2. Emergency doors

Emergency doors must open outwards.

Emergency doors must 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.

Sliding or revolving doors are not permitted if intended as emergency exits.

3. Ventilation

If air-conditioning or mechanical ventilation installations are used, they must operate in such a way that workers are not exposed to draughts which cause discomfort.

Any deposit or dirt likely to create an immediate danger to the health of workers by polluting the atmosphere must be removed without delay.

4. Temperature

4.1. 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.

4.2. Windows, skylights and glass partitions should allow excessive effects of sunlight to be avoided, having regard to the nature of the work and the use of the room.

5. Natural and artificial lighting

Workplaces must as far as possible have sufficient natural light and be equipped with the means of providing artificial lighting which is adequate for the purposes of protecting workers' safety and health.

6. Floors, walls, ceilings and roofs of rooms

6.1. The floors of workplaces must have no dangerous bumps, holes or slopes and must be fixed, stable and not slippery.

6.2. The surfaces of floors, walls and ceilings in rooms must be such that they can be cleaned or refurbished to an appropriate standard of hygiene.

6.3. Transparent or translucent walls, in particular all-glass partitions, in rooms or in the vicinity of workplaces and traffic routes must be clearly indicated and 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.

7. Windows and skylights

7.1. It must be possible for workers to open, close, adjust or secure windows, skylights and ventilators in a safe manner.

When open, they must not be positioned so as to constitute a hazard to workers.

7.2. Windows and skylights must be designed in conjunction with equipment or otherwise fitted with devices allowing them to be cleaned without risk to the workers carrying out this work or to workers present.

8. Doors and Gates

8.1. The position, number nad dimensions of doors and gates, and the materials used in their construction, are determined by the nature and use of the rooms or areas.

8.2. Transparent doors must be appropriately marked at a conspicious level.

8.3. Swing doors and gates must be transparent or have see-through panels.

8.4. If transparent or translucent surfaces in doors and gates are not made of safety material and if there is a danger that workers may be injured if a door or gate should shatter, the surfaces must be protected against breakage.

9. Traffic routes

Where the use and equipment of rooms so requires for the protection of workers, traffic routes must be clearly identified.

10. Specific measures for escalators and travelators

Escalators and travelators must function safely.

They must be equipped with any necessary safety devices.

They must be fitted with easily identifiable and accessible emergency shut-down devices.

11. Room dimensions and air space in rooms

Workrooms must have sufficient surface area and height to allow workers to perform their work without risk to their safety, health or well-being.