This page gives an overview of the various requirements for pedestrian areas.

Geometric design

 There are various reference tolerances for the geometric design of pedestrian areas, which can be found in the report Prevention of Accidents Caused by Trips, Ankle Twists, and Missteps (Vermeiden von Unfällen durch Stolpern, Umknicken und Fehltreten).

Slip-proof flooring materials

 The flooring materials laid in work rooms where there is a risk of slipping have to satisfy certain requirements. In particular, these concern “R classes” (which categorise flooring materials by their slip resistance) and “V ratings” (which measure their minimum displacement volume, thus indicating their ability to contain or disperse contaminants). The requirements that apply vary depending on the specific activity performed on the floor in question. The requisite R class for any location can be taken from Annex 2 to Technical Rule for Workplaces (Arbeitsstättenregel) ASR A1.5, Floors (Fußböden).

Flooring materials for workspaces where there is a risk of slipping must be selected appropriately for the relevant activity or by reference to comparable activities as specified by Annex 2 to ASR A1.5. Floors within work areas are to be designed so that their slip resistance is as consistent as possible, for example by ensuring the materials used in adjacent work areas differ by no more than one R class. The same also applies for the transitions between indoor and outdoor areas. Here, however, the difference may be more than two R groups, provided the transition to a different level of slip resistance is clearly identifiable or to be expected (e.g. at doorways or vehicle entrances and exits). Slip or trip risks may be encountered where levels of slip resistance vary. In this case, suitable measures are to be implemented, such as the installation of transitional areas that are at least 1.5 m long in the direction of travel.

Design of the illumination

Stumbling, slipping, and falling accidents are frequently caused by a lack of or insufficient illumination. Therefore, there are minimum requirements for the illumination that are established in the Workplaces Ordinance (annex 3.4 ArbStättV).

These basic requirements are specified by the ASR regarding illumination:

• ASR A3.4 "Beleuchtung" (Illumination)

In this context, there are the following DIN standards, among others:

• DIN EN 12665,
• DIN EN 12464 (parts 1 and 2),
• DIN EN 1838,
• DIN 5034,
• DIN 5035

As well as: Guidances of the accident insurers, for example:

• BGI/GUV-I 7007
• BGI/GUV-I 856

Moreover, there is the guidance of the Commission for Occupational Safety and Safety Engineering of the Federal States LV 41.
The statutory provisions mentioned define minimum light intensities. On the one hand, they are necessary in order to fulfil the visual task at the workstation related to the activity, e.g. 300 to 500 Lux for an office desk. On the other hand, they are basically intended to help identifying and averting hazards in due time.

Indoors:

• 50 lx for traffic areas and corridors not used by vehicle traffic (without landings and steps)
• 100 lx for traffic areas and corridors not used by vehicle traffic (with landings and steps)
• 100 lx for stairways, escalators, travellators, elevators

Outdoors:

• 5 lx for walkways (for pedestrians only)
• 10-20 lx for traffic areas

Safety signs and markings for danger spots

 Danger spots are to be signed/marked and can be identified more easily if appropriate safety signs and markings are in place. Accidental trips, falls, and slips are consequently avoided and reduced. The use and design of safety signs/markings are described in European directives. The details can be found in national standards and technical rules. Furthermore, the requirements regarding safety and health signs/markings in workplaces are described in concrete terms in Technical Rule for Workplaces ASR A1.3, Safety and Health Signage (Sicherheits- und Gesundheitsschutzkennzeichnung).

The following warning signs are used to draw attention to specific hazards such as trip, fall, and slip risks and danger spots in general (under ASR A1.3):

W007 Warning; Floor-level obstacle

W011 Warning; Slippery surface

W008 Warning; Drop (fall)

W001 General warning sign:

This sign may only be used in combination with an additional sign that details the hazard in question.

 Black/yellow stripes:

Black/yellow stripes (safety markings) must be used to identify obstacles and danger spots. This applies in particular for permanent obstacles and danger spots, locations where there is a particular risk of falling for example.

Black/yellow stripes:

Red/white signs/markings:

 It is preferable to use red/white stripes for temporary obstacles and danger spots, excavations for example. The design of the stripes must comply with the requirements set out in ASR A1.3.

Red/white stripes:

Technical Rule for Workplaces ASR A1.5, Floors (Fußböden), lays down the following requirements: areas of flooring where the risk of tripping or slipping cannot be eliminated for technical reasons must be marked pursuant to ASR A1.3. For example, black/yellow stripes must be used for this purpose. A-frame floor signs have proven their worth for the identification of temporary hazards.

Technical Rule for Workplaces ASR A1.8, Traffic Routes (Verkehrswege), requires danger spots on traffic routes to be identified with safety signs as specified in ASR A1.3 if they cannot be rectified or prevented by technical measures.

to the top