Safety rules
CERN defines and implements a Safety Policy, The CERN Safety Policy that sets out the general principles governing Safety at CERN.
As an intergovernmental organization, CERN further establishes its own Safety Rules as necessary for its functioning. In this process it takes into account the laws and regulations of the Host States (France and Switzerland), EU regulations and directives as well as international regulations, standards and directives. Where the Organization does not establish Safety Rules, the relevant laws and the regulations of the Host States apply on a territorial basis.
Find a Safety rule
Rules by domain
Safety Incident Management (SIM)
Safety Incident Management
Chemical Safety (C)
Chemicals, including chemical agents, prevention and protections measures, asbestos
Electrical Safety (EL)
Risks associated with the electrical installations and live equipment
Fire Safety (FS)
Fire related risks
Mechanical Safety (M)
Risks associated with mechanical installations and equipment
Protection against Non-ionising radiation (NIR)
Risks associated with non-ionising radiation
Occupational Health and Safety (SH)
Risks that deal with safety and health
Radiation Protection (RP)
Risks associated with ionising radiation
Safety Organisation (SO)
Responsibilities and organisational structure in matters of Safety at CERN
Works and Services (WS)
Risks associated with works and services
Rules by type
Understand the rule types and classifications
Since 2006, the CERN Safety Rules comprise:
- Safety Regulations (SRs) that define the general Safety principles and responsibilities applicable to a given Safety domain. SRs are approved by the DG upon a recommendation by SAPOCO and are binding.
- General Safety Instructions (GSIs) that define the Safety principles and responsibilities for a specific field of activity or category of equipment within a Safety domain. GSIs are approved by the head of the HSE unit and are binding.
- Specific Safety Instructions (SSIs) that define the Safety principles and responsibilities in matters for a specific activity or type of equipment or component within a field of activity or category of equipment. SSIs are approved by the head of the HSE unit and are binding.
The CERN Safety Rules are complemented by Safety Guidelines and Safety Forms.
- Safety Guidelines (SGs) provide detailed instructions as to the implementation of a Safety Rule. Compliance with Safety Guidelines provides a presumption of conformity with the associated CERN Safety Rule. Unless a CERN Safety Rule stipulates it to be binding, deviation from a Safety Guideline is permitted but requires a demonstration to the HSE Unit that conformity is maintained.
- Safety Forms (SFs) are templates or checklists designed to facilitate the implementation of a Safety Rule. Their use provides a presumption of conformity/compliance with the associated Safety Rule.
Prior to 2006 the Safety Rules were composed of Safety Codes, Safety Instructions and Safety Notes. A programme of revision of the CERN Safety Rules is currently under way with a view to replace all Safety Codes, Safety Instructions and Safety Notes by 2006 type Safety Rules. Until their revision these documents remain applicable.
If you have questions and/or suggestions related to Safety rules please contact: Safety-Rules.Secretariat@cern.ch