b) Work involving special hazards
The Directive does not define the concepts of ‘special hazards or heavy physical or mental strain’. It provides for them to be defined by national legislation and/or practice or by collective agreements or agreements concluded between the two sides of industry. The Directive provides that, in whatever way work involving special hazards or heavy physical or mental strain is defined, it should take account of the specific effects and hazards of night work. As a guide, reference may be made to Recital 7, which points to ‘environmental disturbances’ and ‘certain burdensome forms of work organisation’ as liable to have a detrimental effect on the health of the workers concerned. The Commission’s original proposal referred to ‘piece work, assembly-line work or work at a pre-established pace’ as examples in this respect (353).
Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-09-25 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.