Law 31/1995 of 8 November, Prevention of Occupational Risks, is the legal standard determining the basic body of guarantees and precise responsibilities to establish an adequate level of protection of health workers in the face of the risks arising from working conditions, in the framework of a coherent, coordinated and effective policy.

According to Article 6 of that Law, it will be the regulatory norms that will set and concretize the most technical aspects of preventive measures, through minimum standards that guarantee adequate protection of the workers. Among these are necessarily those aimed at ensuring safety and health in workplaces, so that their use does not result in risks for workers.

It must be remembered that Spain has ratified various International Labour Organization Conventions that are related to safety and health in the workplace and that are part of our legal system. internal. In particular, the ILO Convention number 155 on the safety and health of workers of 22 June 1981, which was ratified by Spain on 26 July 1985, and in particular the ILO Convention number 148 on the protection of workers in the field of health and safety, The European Council of the European Community has adopted a report on the environment for work, of 20 June

.

In the same sense, it must be borne in mind that, in the field of the European Union, criteria of a general nature on safety and health measures have been laid down in the relevant Directives. as well as specific criteria for measures to protect against accidents and situations of risk. In particular, Directive 89 /654/EEC of 30 November lays down the minimum health and safety requirements at the workplace. This Royal Decree provides for the transposition into Spanish law of the content of that Directive.

Good part of the subjects regulated in this Royal Decree, constructive conditions of the places of work, lighting, hygienic and local services of rest, etc., have been regulated to the present moment by the General Ordinance on Safety and Hygiene at Work, adopted by Order of 9 March 1971. When twenty-five years of its entry into force are fulfilled, sometimes the international commitments acquired by Spain, others the evolution of the technical progress and the knowledge related to the places of work, they advise the definitive the repeal of certain chapters of Title II of the Ordinance that the only derogating provision of Law 31/1995 has so far maintained in force in so far as it does not object to the provisions of the Act, and its replacement by a regulation in accordance with the new legal framework and the current reality of industrial relations, while compatible, respectful and rigorous with the achievement of the objective of the safety and health of workers in workplaces.

Under Article 6 of Law 31/1995 of 8 November on the Prevention of Occupational Risks, on the proposal of the Minister for Labour and Social Affairs, consulted by employers ' and trade unions more representative, heard by the National Committee on Safety and Health at Work, in agreement with the Council of State and after deliberation by the Council of Ministers at its meeting on 4 April 1997,

DISPONGO:

CHAPTER I

General provisions

Article 1. Object.

1. This Royal Decree lays down the minimum health and safety requirements applicable to workplaces.

2. This Royal Decree will not apply to:

(a) The means of transport used outside the enterprise or workplace, as well as the workplaces located within the means of transport.

b) Temporary or mobile construction sites.

c) The extraction industries.

(d) Fishing vessels.

e) the fields of cultivation, forests and other land which are part of an agricultural or forestry enterprise or centre but which are located outside the built-up area thereof.

3. The provisions of Law 31/1995 of 8 November 1995 on the Prevention of Occupational Risks shall apply in full to the whole of the scope referred to in paragraph 1

Article 2. Definitions.

1. For the purposes of this Royal Decree, places of work shall be understood as the areas of the centre of work, whether or not built, in which the workers are required to remain or to whom they are able to access on the basis of their work.

Hygiene and local rest services, first aid premises and canteens are considered to be included in this definition.

2. Service or protection facilities attached to workplaces shall be considered as an integral part thereof.

CHAPTER II

Obligations of the employer

Article 3. General obligation of the employer.

The employer must take the necessary measures to ensure that the use of workplaces does not lead to risks to the safety and health of workers or, if this is not possible, to reduce the risk of such risks. minimum.

In any case, the workplaces must comply with the minimum requirements set out in this Royal Decree in terms of their constructive conditions, order, cleanliness and maintenance, signage, facilities of service or protection, environmental conditions, lighting, hygienic and local rest services, and material and local first aid.

Article 4. Constructive conditions.

1. The design and constructive characteristics of workplaces must provide security against the risks of slips or falls, shocks or shocks against objects and collapses or falls in materials on workers.

2. The design and the constructive characteristics of the workplaces must also facilitate the control of emergency situations, especially in the event of fire, and enable, where necessary, the rapid and safe evacuation of the workers.

3. Workplaces shall comply in particular with the minimum safety requirements set out in Annex I.

Article 5. Order, cleaning and maintenance. Signage.

The order, cleaning and maintenance of the workplaces must comply with the provisions of Annex II.

Likewise, the signage of the workplaces must comply with the provisions of Royal Decree 485/1997 of 14 April.

Article 6. Service and protection facilities.

The facilities for the service and protection of the places of work referred to in Article 2 (2) shall comply with the minimum requirements laid down in this Royal Decree, as well as those arising from the the specific security regulations that are applicable.

Article 7. Environmental conditions.

1. Exposure to the environmental conditions of workplaces must not pose a risk to the safety and health of workers. To this end, these environmental conditions, and in particular the thermogrometric conditions of the workplaces, shall comply with the requirements set out in Annex III.

2. Exposure to the physical, chemical and biological agents of the work environment shall be governed by the provisions of their specific rules.

Article 8. Lighting.

The lighting of workplaces must enable workers to have adequate visibility conditions in order to be able to move around them and to develop their activities without risk for their safety and health.

The lighting of the workplaces must comply, in particular, with the provisions of Annex IV.

Article 9. Hygienic and local rest services.

Workplaces shall comply with the provisions of Annex V in respect of hygienic and local rest services.

Article 10. First aid material and premises.

The workplaces shall have the material and, where appropriate, the premises necessary for the provision of first aid to the injured workers, in accordance with Annex VI.

Article 11. Information for workers.

In accordance with Article 18 of the Law on the Prevention of Occupational Risks, the employer must ensure that workers and workers ' representatives receive adequate information on the measures taken by the employer. prevention and protection to be taken into application of this Royal Decree.

Article 12. Consultation and participation of workers.

The consultation and participation of workers or their representatives on the issues referred to in this Royal Decree shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 18 (2) of the Law on the Prevention of Occupational Risks.

Single repeal provision. Scope of regulatory repeal.

1. All provisions of equal or lower rank shall be repealed as opposed to the provisions of this Royal Decree.

2. Chapters I, II, III, IV, V and VII of Title II of the General Ordinance on Safety and Hygiene at Work, adopted by Order of 9 March 1971, are hereby repealed.

However, until the corresponding specific regulations are approved, they will remain in effect:

1. The aforementioned chapters of the General Ordinance on Safety and Hygiene at Work, for workplaces excluded from the scope of this Royal Decree in Article 1 (2).

2. Article 24 and Chapter VII of Title II of the General Ordinance on Safety and Hygiene at Work, for workplaces excluded from the scope of the Basic Standard of Building " NBE-CPI/96: fire protection conditions in buildings ", approved by Royal Decree 2177/1996 of 4 October.

3. The Regulation on lighting at work centres, approved by Order of 26 August 1940, is also expressly repealed.

Final disposition first. Preparation of the Technical Guide for Risk Assessment and Prevention.

The National Institute of Safety and Hygiene at Work, in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 (3) of Royal Decree 39/1997 of 17 January, approving the Regulation of the Prevention Services, develop and keep up to date a Technical Guide for the assessment and prevention of risks related to the use of workplaces.

Final disposition second. Regulatory enablement.

The Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, prior to the report of the National Commission on Health and Safety at Work, is authorized to issue any provisions necessary for the implementation and development of this Royal Decree, as well as as for adaptations of a strictly technical nature to its annexes in the light of technical progress and the development of international standards or specifications or knowledge in the field of workplaces.

Final disposition third. Entry into force.

This Royal Decree will enter into force three months after its publication in the "Official Gazette of the State".

However, Part B of Annex I and Part B of Annex V shall enter into force six months after the publication of the Royal Decree in the Official Gazette of the State.

Given in Madrid to April 14, 1997.

JOHN CARLOS R.

The Minister of Labour and Social Affairs,

JAVIER ARENAS BOCANEGRA

ATTACHMENTS

Preliminary observation: the obligations laid down in the following Annexes shall apply whenever the characteristics of the place of work or of the activity, circumstances or any risk so require.

ANNEX I

General safety conditions in workplaces

A) Provisions applicable to workplaces used for the first time from the date of entry into force of this Royal Decree and to amendments, extensions or transformations of the places of work used before that date to be performed after the date.

1. Structural security.

1. The buildings and premises of the workplaces must possess the structure and solidity appropriate to their type of use. For the intended conditions of use, all of its elements, structural or service, including work platforms, ladders and scales, shall:

a) Having the strength and strength necessary to support the loads or efforts they are subjected to.

b) Dispose of a system of assembly, restraint or support to ensure its stability.

2. It is prohibited to overload the items mentioned in the previous section. Access to roofs or decks that do not provide sufficient guarantees of resistance can only be authorised when the equipment is provided to ensure that the work can be carried out safely.

2. Workspaces and hazardous areas.

1. The dimensions of work premises should enable workers to carry out their work without risks for their safety and health and in acceptable ergonomic conditions. Its minimum dimensions will be as follows:

a) 3 meters high from the floor to the ceiling. However, in commercial, service, office and office premises, the height may be reduced to 2,5 metres.

b) 2 square meters of free area per worker.

c) 10 cubic meters, not occupied, per worker.

2. The separation between the material elements existing in the workplace will be sufficient for the workers to be able to perform their work in conditions of safety, health and well-being. Where, for reasons inherent to the job, the free space available does not allow the worker to have the freedom of movement necessary to carry out his activity, he must have sufficient additional space in the vicinity of the job.

3. The appropriate measures should be taken for the protection of workers authorised to access areas of workplaces where the safety of workers may be affected by risks of falling, falling objects and contact or exposure to aggressive elements. In addition, provision should be made, as far as possible, for a system to prevent unauthorised workers from accessing such areas.

4. The areas of workplaces where there is a risk of falling, falling objects or contact or exposure to aggressive elements must be clearly marked.

3. Floors, openings and dislevels, and railings.

1. The floors of the work premises must be fixed, stable and not slippery, without irregularities or dangerous slopes.

2. ° The openings or delevels that pose a risk of falling persons shall be protected by railings or other equivalent security protection systems, which may have moving parts when necessary to dispose of access to the opening. They shall be protected, in particular:

a) The openings in the floors.

b) The openings in walls or partitions, provided that their situation and dimensions pose a risk of falling persons, and the platforms, springs or similar structures. Protection shall not be mandatory, however, if the height of the fall is less than 2 metres.

c) The open sides of the stairs and ramps more than 60 centimeters high. The closed sides shall have a handrail, at a height of at least 90 centimetres, if the width of the ladder is greater than 1,2 metres; if less, but both sides are closed, at least one of the two sides shall carry handrails.

3. The railings shall be of rigid materials, have a minimum height of 90 centimeters, and shall have a protection that prevents the passage or sliding below the same or the fall of objects on persons.

4. Partitions, windows and vanes.

1. Transparent Or Translucent Partitions and, in particular, glazed partitions located at the premises or in the vicinity of the workstations and roads, must be clearly marked and manufactured with secure materials, or be separated from such posts and tracks, to prevent workers from being able to strike with them or to injure themselves in the event of breakage.

2. The workers must be able to safely perform the opening, closing, adjusting or setting of windows, windows of zenith lighting and ventilation devices. Where they are open, they must not be placed in such a way as to constitute a risk to workers.

3. The windows and windows of zenith lighting must be able to be cleaned without risk for the workers who perform this task or for those who are in the building and its surroundings. To do this they must be equipped with the necessary devices or have been designed to integrate the cleaning systems.

5. Traffic lanes.

1. The routes of movement of workplaces, both on the outside of buildings and on premises and inside, including doors, corridors, stairways, fixed scales, ramps and springs of load, they must be able to be used according to their intended use, in an easy way and with total safety for pedestrians or vehicles that circulate for them and for the staff working in their vicinity.

2. For the purposes of the preceding paragraph, the number, situation, dimensions and constructive conditions of the movement of persons or materials shall be adapted to the potential number of users and to the characteristics of the activity and the place of work.

In the case of springs and loading ramps, particular account must be taken of the size of the loads carried.

3. ° The minimum width of the outer doors and the corridors shall be 80 centimeters and 1 meter, respectively.

4. The width of the tracks by which the means of transport and pedestrians may circulate shall allow for their simultaneous passage with a sufficient separation of security.

5. Road traffic routes for vehicles must pass at a sufficient distance from the doors, gates, pedestrian areas, corridors and staircases.

6. º The loading docks must have at least one output, or one at each end when they are large and technically possible.

7. Whenever it is necessary to ensure the safety of workers, the route of road traffic must be clearly signposted.

6. Doors and gates.

1. The transparent doors must have a signage at the height of the view.

2. The transparent or translucent surfaces of doors and gates other than security material shall be protected against breakage when it may present a danger to workers.

3. Vaiven doors and gates must be transparent or have transparent parts that allow the visibility of the area accessed.

4. The sliding doors must be provided with a safety system that prevents them from falling off the rails and falling.

5. The doors and gates that are opened up will be equipped with a security system that prevents them from falling.

6. The doors and mechanical gates must operate without risk to the workers. They shall have emergency stop devices of easy identification and access, and may be opened manually, unless they are automatically opened in the event of a breakdown of the emergency system.

7. The doors of access to the stairs shall not be opened directly on their steps but on breaks of width at least equal to that of those.

8. The gates basically intended for the movement of vehicles must be able to be used by pedestrians without risks for their safety, or they must have in their immediate proximity of doors intended for this purpose, expeditious and clearly signposted.

7. Ramps, fixed and service stairs.

1. The pavements of ramps, stairs and work platforms shall be of non-slippery materials or shall have anti-slip elements.

2. º On the stairs or platforms with perforated pavements the maximum opening of the interstices will be 8 millimeters.

3. º The ramps will have a maximum slope of 12 per 100 when their length is less than 3 meters, 10 per 100 when their length is less than 10 meters or 8 per 100 in the rest of the cases.

4. º The stairs shall have a minimum width of 1 meter, except in those of service, which shall be 55 centimeters.

5. The steps of a ladder will have the same dimensions. Snail ladders are prohibited except if they are of service.

6. º The steps of the non-service stairs shall have a footprint between 23 and 36 centimetres, and a counter-lift between 13 and 20 centimetres. The steps of the service stairs shall have a minimum footprint of 15 centimetres and a maximum of 25 centimetres.

7. º The maximum height between the breaks of the stairs will be 3.7 meters. The depth of the intermediate breaks, measured in the direction of the ladder, shall not be less than half the width of the ladder, not less than 1 meter. The vertical clearance from the rungs shall not be less than 2,2 metres.

8. ° The escalators and rolling tapes must have the operating conditions and devices necessary to ensure the safety of the workers using them. Your emergency stop devices will be easily identifiable and accessible.

8. Fixed scales.

1. º The minimum width of the fixed scales shall be 40 centimeters and the maximum distance between steps of 30 centimeters.

2. On the fixed scales the distance between the front of the steps and the walls closest to the ascent side shall be at least 75 centimeters. The minimum distance between the rear of the steps and the nearest fixed object shall be 16 centimetres. There shall be a free space of 40 centimetres on both sides of the axle of the scale if it is not fitted with cages or other equivalent devices.

3. When the passage from the final stretch of a fixed scale to the area to which it is intended to be accessed poses a risk of falling due to lack of support, the guardrail or side of the scale will be prolonged at least 1 meter above the last rung or alternative measures shall be taken to provide equivalent security.

4. No fixed scales having a height of more than 4 metres shall have at least from that height a surrounding protection. This measure shall not be necessary in ducts, narrow wells and other installations which, by virtue of their configuration, already provide such protection.

5. º If fixed scales are used for heights greater than 9 meters, rest platforms shall be installed every 9 meters or fraction.

9. Hand ladders.

1. º The hand ladders shall have the strength and the supporting and securing elements necessary for their use in the required conditions not to pose a risk of falling, due to breakage or displacement of the same. In particular, the scissor ladders shall have security features to prevent their opening when used.

2. º The hand stairs will be used in the form and with the limitations established by the manufacturer. No ladders shall be used, and in particular ladders of more than 5 metres in length, of which there is no guarantee. The use of makeshift construction hand ladders is prohibited.

3. Before using a hand ladder you will need to ensure your stability. The base of the ladder must be solidly seated. In the case of simple ladders, the upper part shall be fastened, if necessary, to the floor on which it is supported and when the latter does not allow stable support to be attached to it by means of a clamp or other equivalent devices.

4. The simple hand ladders will be placed, as far as possible, forming an approximate angle of 75 degrees with the horizontal. When used to access high places, their larks shall be prolonged at least 1 meter above the latter.

5. The ascent, descent and work from stairs will be carried out in front of them. Works more than 3.5 metres high, from the point of operation to the ground, requiring movements or hazardous efforts for the stability of the worker, shall only be carried out if a safety belt is used or other measures are taken. alternative protection. The carriage and handling of loads by or from ladders shall be prohibited where the safety of the worker can be compromised by weight or dimensions. The hand ladders shall not be used by two or more persons simultaneously.

6. º The hand ladders will be reviewed periodically. The use of painted wooden ladders is prohibited, due to the difficulty that this entails for the detection of possible defects.

10. Escape routes and exits.

1. The escape routes and exits, as well as the routes and doors that give access to them, shall be in accordance with their specific rules.

In any case, and except for specific provisions of the aforementioned regulations, such routes and exits must satisfy the conditions set out in the following points of this paragraph.

2. The escape routes and exits must remain expedited and flow as directly as possible to the outside or to a safety zone.

3. In case of danger, workers must be able to evacuate all workplaces quickly and under maximum security conditions.

4. The number, distribution and dimensions of escape routes and exits will depend on the use, equipment and dimensions of workplaces, as well as the maximum number of people who may be present. in the same.

5. The emergency doors must be opened to the outside and must not be closed, so that any person who needs to use them in case of urgency can easily and immediately open them. Doors specifically of emergency that are sliding or rotating shall be prohibited.

6. The doors on the routes of the escape route must be properly marked. They must be able to open at any time from inside without special help. When the workplaces are occupied, the doors must be open.

7. The specific routes and exits of evacuation must be marked in accordance with the provisions of Royal Decree 485/1997 of 14 April on minimum safety and health signs at work. This signage must be set in the appropriate places and be durable.

8. The escape routes and exits, as well as the routes of movement that give access to them, must not be obstructed by any object in such a way that they can be used without hindrance at any time. Emergency doors must not be locked.

9. In case of failure of the illumination, the escape routes and exits requiring illumination must be equipped with sufficient intensity illumination.

11. Fire protection conditions.

1. The workplaces must comply with the provisions of the regulations that apply to fire protection conditions.

In any case, and except for specific provisions of the aforementioned regulations, such places must satisfy the conditions set out in the following points of this paragraph.

2. According to the dimensions and the use of the buildings, the equipment, the physical and chemical characteristics of the existing substances, as well as the maximum number of persons who may be present, the workplaces must be equipped with suitable devices to combat fires and, if necessary, with fire detectors and alarm systems.

3. Non-automatic fire-fighting devices must be easily accessible and handled. These devices must be signposted in accordance with the provisions of Royal Decree 485/1997 of 14 April on minimum safety and health signs at work. Such signalling shall be affixed to the appropriate places and shall be durable.

12. Electrical installation.

1. The electrical installation of the workplaces must conform to the provisions of their specific regulations.

In any event, and except for specific provisions of the aforementioned regulations, such installation shall satisfy the conditions set out in the following points of this paragraph.

2. The electrical installation must not involve fire or explosion hazards. Workers must be adequately protected against the risks of accidents caused by direct or indirect contacts.

3. The electrical installation and the protection devices shall take into account the voltage, the external conditioning factors and the competence of the persons who have access to parts of the installation.

13. Disabled.

The places of work, and in particular the doors, roads, staircases, hygienic services and jobs, used or occupied by disabled workers, must be put in place to ensure that they are workers can use them.

B) Provisions applicable to workplaces already used before the date of entry into force of this Royal Decree, except for parts thereof which are modified, extended or transformed after that date date.

To the places of work already used before the date of entry into force of this Royal Decree, excepted the parts of the same ones that are modified, extended or transformed after that date, they will be of application provisions of Part A) of this Annex with the following amendments:

(a) Paragraphs 4.1., 4.2. º, 4.3. º, 5.4., 5.5., 6.2., 6.4. º, 6.5. º, 6.6. º, 6.8. º, 7.8. º, 8.1. and 8.4. º shall not apply, without prejudice to the need to maintain the conditions already existing in such workplaces. prior to the entry into force of this Royal Decree which would satisfy the obligations contained in those paragraphs or a level of security equivalent to that set out in those paragraphs.

(b) The maximum opening of the interstices referred to in paragraph 7.2. shall be 10 millimetres.

(c) The ramps referred to in paragraph 7.3. shall have a maximum slope of 20 per 100.

(d) For non-service staircases, the minimum width specified in paragraph 7.4. shall be 90 centimetres.

e) The minimum depth of the breaks referred to in paragraph 7.7. shall be 1,12 metres.

ANNEX II

Order, Cleaning, and Maintenance

1. The areas of transit, exits and routes of movement of the workplaces and, in particular, the exits and routes of movement intended for evacuation in cases of emergency, shall remain free of obstacles in such a way as to enable them to be used. without difficulties at all times.

2. Workplaces, including service premises, and their respective equipment and facilities, shall be cleaned regularly and whenever necessary to maintain them at all times under appropriate hygienic conditions. To this end, the characteristics of the floors, ceilings and walls shall be such as to permit such cleaning and maintenance.

Waste, grease stains, hazardous substance residues, and other waste products that may cause accidents or contaminate the work environment will be quickly removed.

3. Cleaning operations shall not themselves constitute a source of risk for workers who carry out such operations or for third parties, in such a way that they are carried out at times, in the form and with the most appropriate means.

4. The workplaces and, in particular, their facilities, must be subject to periodic maintenance, so that their operating conditions always satisfy the specifications of the project, and the deficiencies are quickly remedied. which may affect the safety and health of workers.

If a ventilation installation is used, it must be maintained in good working order and a control system must indicate any breakdown whenever necessary for the health of the workers.

In the case of protection installations, maintenance must include the control of its operation.

ANNEX III

Environmental conditions of workplaces

1. Exposure to the environmental conditions of workplaces should not pose a risk to the safety and health of workers.

2. In addition, and as far as possible, the environmental conditions of workplaces should not be a source of discomfort or discomfort for workers. To this end, extreme temperatures and humidity, sudden changes in temperature, nuisance air currents, unpleasant odours, excessive irradiation and, in particular, solar radiation through windows, should be avoided. Glazed lamps or partitions.

3. The following conditions shall be met in the closed working premises:

(a) The temperature of the premises where there are sedentary works of office or the like shall be between 17 and 27 ° C.

The temperature of the premises where light work is to be performed shall be between 14 and 25 ° C.

(b) The relative humidity shall be between 30 and 70 per 100, except in premises where there are static electricity risks where the lower limit shall be 50 per 100.

(c) Workers shall not be frequently or continuously exposed to air currents whose speed exceeds the following limits:

1. Jobs in non-hot environments: 0.25 m/s.

2. Sedentary Jobs in hot environments: 0.5 m/s.

3. No sedentary work in hot environments: 0.75 m/s.

These limits will not apply to air currents expressly used to avoid stress in intense heat exposures, nor to air conditioning currents, for which the limit will be 0.25 m/s in the case of air conditioning. sedentary jobs and 0.35 m/s in other cases.

d) Without prejudice to the provisions relating to the ventilation of certain premises in Royal Decree 1618/1980 of 4 July, which approves the Regulation on heating, air conditioning and hot water, the minimum renovation of the air of the work premises, will be of 30 cubic meters of clean air per hour and worker, in the case of sedentary works in environments not hot nor contaminated by smoke of tobacco and 50 cubic meters, in the cases remaining, in order to avoid the vicious environment and unpleasant odours.

The ventilation system used and, in particular, the distribution of clean air intake and air-out exits, must ensure an effective air renewal of the work site.

4. For the purposes of applying the above paragraph, account shall be taken of any limitations or conditions which may, in each case, impose the particular characteristics of the place of work itself, of processes or operations which are developed in the climate and the climate of the area in which it is located. In any case, the thermal insulation of the closed premises must be in line with the local climatic conditions.

5. In the case of open-air workplaces and workplaces which cannot be closed because of the activity carried out, measures must be taken to ensure that workers can protect themselves, as far as possible, from the adverse effects of the time.

6. The environmental conditions of the rest rooms, of the premises for the staff of the guard, the hygienic services, the canteens and the premises of first aid must respond to the specific use of these premises and to adjust, in any case, as provided for in paragraph 3.

ANNEX IV

Lighting of workplaces

1. The lighting of each area or part of a place of work shall be adapted to the characteristics of the activity carried out in that area, taking into account:

a) Risks to the safety and health of workers dependent on visibility conditions.

b) The visual demands of the developed tasks.

2. Where possible, workplaces shall have natural lighting, which shall be supplemented by artificial lighting when the first, by itself, does not ensure the appropriate visibility conditions. In such cases, general artificial lighting shall preferably be used, supplemented in turn with a localized lighting when high lighting levels are required in specific areas.

3. The minimum lighting levels of the workplaces will be those set out in the table below:

Zone or part of the workplace (*)

Minimum lighting level (lux)
Zones where tasks are run with:
1. º Visual demands	100
2. º Moderate Visual Demands	200
3. º High Visual Demands	500
4. º Very high visual demands	1,000
occasional use areas or locales	50
or local areas of use	100
occasional use circulation Vies	25
Usual use circulation paths	50

(*) The illumination level of an area in which a task is executed shall be measured at the height where the task is performed; in the case of zones of general use at 85 cm. of the ground and in that of the road traffic paths at ground level.

These minimum levels should be doubled when the following circumstances are present:

(a) In areas or local areas of general use and in road traffic, where due to their characteristics, status or occupation, there are appreciable risks of falls, shocks or other accidents.

(b) In areas where tasks are carried out, where an error of visual assessment during the performance of such tasks may present a danger to the worker who executes them or to third parties or where the contrast of luminance or color between the object to be displayed and the background on which it is found to be very weak.

Notwithstanding the above paragraphs, these limits shall not be applicable in those activities whose nature prevents them.

4. The lighting of the workplaces must also comply with the following conditions regarding their distribution and other characteristics:

a) The distribution of the illumination levels will be as uniform as possible.

(b) It shall be ensured that there are adequate levels and contrasts of luminance to the visual requirements of the task, avoiding sudden variations of luminance within the operating zone and between the operation zone and its surroundings.

c) The direct glare produced by sunlight or by high luminance artificial light sources shall be avoided. In no case shall these be placed without protection in the visual field of the worker.

(d) The indirect glare produced by reflective surfaces located in the operation zone or its vicinity shall also be avoided.

e) No systems or sources of light shall be used which impair the perception of contrasts, depth or distance between objects in the work area, which produce a visual impression of intermittency or which may result in strobe effects.

5. Workplaces, or parts thereof, where a failure of normal lighting poses a risk to the safety of workers shall be provided with emergency lighting for evacuation and safety.

6. The lighting systems used must not cause electrical, fire or explosion hazards, in order to comply with the provisions of the specific rules in force.

ANNEX V

Hygiene and local rest services

A) Provisions applicable to workplaces used for the first time from the date of entry into force of this Royal Decree and to amendments, extensions or transformations of the places of work used before that date to be performed after the date.

1. Drinking water.

The workplaces will have sufficient and easily accessible drinking water. Any circumstance which makes it possible for drinking water to be contaminated shall be avoided. The sources of water shall indicate whether or not this is potable, provided that there can be doubts about this.

2. Changing rooms, showers, sinks and toilets.

1. Workplaces will have changing rooms when workers have to wear special work clothes and cannot be asked, for health or decorum reasons, to be changed in other dependencies.

2. The changing rooms will be equipped with seats and lockers or individual lockers, which will have the capacity to store clothes and shoes. Closets or lockers for workwear and for street clothes shall be separated when necessary by the state of contamination, dirt or humidity of workwear.

3. When the changing rooms are not necessary, workers must have hanging or lockers to place their clothes.

4. The workplaces will provide, in the vicinity of the working and changing rooms, local toilet with mirrors, wash basins with running water, hot if necessary, soap and individual towels or other system drying with hygienic guarantees. They shall also be equipped with hot and cold running water showers when dirty, polluting or high sweating work is usually done. In such cases, workers shall be provided with the necessary special means of cleaning.

5. If the toilet rooms and the changing rooms are separated, the communication between the two must be easy.

6. The places of work shall be provided with toilets, with washbasins, located in the vicinity of the work stations, rest rooms, changing rooms and toilet facilities, where they are not integrated into the toilet.

7. The toilets will have automatic discharge of water and toilet paper. Special and closed containers shall be installed in toilets to be used by women. The cabs shall be fitted with a door with internal closure and a hanger.

8. The dimensions of the changing rooms, the rooms of the toilet, as well as the respective envelopes of seats, lockers or lockers, hangmen, washbasins, showers and toilets, must allow the use of these equipment and facilities without difficulties or inconvenience, taking into account in each case the number of workers to be used at the same time.

9. The premises, facilities and equipment referred to in the previous paragraph shall be easily accessible, suitable for use and constructive features to facilitate their cleaning.

10. The changing rooms, toilets and toilets shall be separate for men and women, or a separate use shall be provided for. They shall not be used for uses other than those for which they are intended.

3. Rest rooms.

1. Where the safety or health of workers so require, in particular because of the type of activity or the number of workers, they shall be provided with an easily accessible rest place.

2. The provisions of the above paragraph shall not apply where staff work in dispatches or similar workplaces offering equivalent rest opportunities during breaks.

3. The dimensions of the rest rooms and their allocation of tables and seats with backs will be sufficient for the number of workers to be used simultaneously.

4. Pregnant workers and nursing mothers should be able to rest in adequate conditions.

5. The places of work in which, without having to rely on rest rooms, the work is interrupted regularly and frequently, will have spaces where the workers can remain during these interruptions, if their presence during the same work area poses a risk to their safety or health or to third parties.

6. Both in the rest rooms and in the spaces mentioned in the above paragraph, appropriate measures must be taken for the protection of non-smokers against the discomfort caused by tobacco smoke.

7. When there are dormitories in the workplace, these must meet the health and safety conditions required for the workplaces in this Royal Decree and allow the worker to rest in conditions appropriate.

4. Provisional premises and outdoor work.

1. In open-air work, where the safety or health of workers so require, in particular because of the type of activity or the number of workers, they shall have an easily accessible rest place.

2. In open-air jobs where there is a shift away from the workplace to the place of residence of the workers, which makes it impossible for them to return to work each day, these workers will have suitable premises for dormitories and canteens.

3. The dormitories and canteens must meet the necessary health and safety conditions and allow the rest and feeding of the workers under appropriate conditions.

B) Provisions applicable to workplaces already used before the date of entry into force of this Royal Decree, except for parts thereof which are modified, extended or transformed after that date date.

To the places of work already used before the date of entry into force of this Royal Decree, excepted the parts of the same ones that are modified, extended or transformed after that date, they will be of application provisions of Part A) of this Annex with the following amendments:

(a) Paragraph 3.5. shall not apply, unless the spaces provided for in that paragraph already existed before the date of entry into force of this Royal Decree.

(b) For the purposes of paragraphs 3.1. and 4.1., any place of easy access that has the appropriate conditions for rest shall be considered as a rest room, even if it is not specifically intended for that purpose.

ANNEX VI

First aid materials and premises

A) Provisions applicable to workplaces used for the first time from the date of entry into force of this Royal Decree and to amendments, extensions or transformations of the places of work used before that date to be performed after the date.

1. The places of work shall be equipped with materials for first aid in the event of an accident, which must be adequate, in terms of their quantity and characteristics, the number of workers, the risks to which they are exposed and the facilities for access to the Nearest medical care center. The first aid material must be adapted to the professional privileges of the staff empowered to provide it.

2. The situation or distribution of the material in the workplace and the facilities to access it and, where appropriate, move it to the site of the accident, must ensure that the provision of first aid can be carried out quickly. that requires the type of foreseeable damage.

3. Without prejudice to the above paragraphs, any place of work must have at least one portable kit containing authorised disinfectants and antiseptics, sterile gauze, hydrophilic cotton, bandage, sparadrapo, Adhesive dressings, scissors, tweezers and disposable gloves.

4. The first aid material will be periodically reviewed and will be redeployed as soon as it expires or is used.

5. The workplaces of more than 50 workers will have to have a place for first aid and other possible health care. They must also have the places of work of more than 25 workers for whom the employment authority so determines, taking into account the danger of the activity developed and the potential difficulties of access to the labour market. nearest medical care.

6. First aid premises shall have at least one kit, a stretcher and a source of drinking water. They will be close to the jobs and will be easily accessible for stretchers.

7. The first aid material and premises must be clearly signposted.

B) Provisions applicable to workplaces already used before the date of entry into force of this Royal Decree, except for parts thereof which are modified, extended or transformed after that date date.

To the places of work already used before the date of entry into force of this Royal Decree, excepted the parts of the same ones that are modified, extended or transformed after that date, they will be of application provisions of Part A of this Annex with the amendments referred to in the following paragraph.

Paragraphs 5 and 6 shall not apply, except as regards those obligations contained in those paragraphs which are already applicable in the said places of work under the rules in force until the date of entry into force of this Regulation. This Royal Decree is effective.