Article 1
Object and scope 1. This Directive, which is the 15th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC, lays down minimum requirements for the safety and health protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres as defined in Article 2. 2. This Directive shall not apply to: (a) areas used directly for and during the medical treatment of patients; (b) the use of appliances burning gaseous fuels in accordance with Directive 90/396/EEC(7); (c) the manufacture, handling, use, storage and transport of explosives or chemically unstable substances; (d) mineral-extracting industries covered by Directive 92/91/EEC(8) or Directive 92/104/EEC(9); (e) the use of means of transport by land, water and air, to which the pertinent provisions of the international agreements (e.g. ADNR, ADR, ICAO, IMO, RID), and the Community Directives giving effect to those agreements, apply. Means of transport intended for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere shall not be excluded. 3. The provisions of Directive 89/391/EEC and the relevant individual Directives are fully applicable to the domain referred to in paragraph 1, without prejudice to more restrictive and/or specific provisions contained in this Directive.