PURPOSE : to introduce provisions for the use of work equipment by workers in order to contribute to a substantial reduction in the number of falls from a height.
COMMUNITY MEASURE : Directive 2001/45/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2001 amending Council Directive 89/655/EEC concerning the minimum health and safety requirements for the use of work equipment by workers (second individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC).
CONTENT : This directive imposes obligations on employers who have temporary work carried out at a height to select appropriate equipment for the protection of workers. Means of access must be chosen according to the frequency of passage, the height to be negotiated and the duration of use. Ladders may be used as work stations only under circumstances in which safer equipment is not justified because of the low level of risk and either the short duration of use or existing features on site that are not alterable.Provisions must be made for the installation of safeguards to prevent falls. The are specific provisions on the use of ladders, scaffolding, rope access and positioning techniques. Member States must introduce legislation to comply with the Directive no later than 19/07/2004.
ENTRY INTO FORCE : 19/07/2001
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