Annex 8: minimum requirements for verbal communication
Published 12 September 2024
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1. Intrinsic features
1.1 Verbal communication between a speaker or emitter and one or more hearers is to take the form (sometimes coded) texts, phrases, groups of words and or individual words.
1.2 Spoken messages are to be as short, simple and clear as possible; the verbal skills of the speaker and the hearing skills of the hearer(s) must be such as to ensure reliable verbal communication.
1.3 Verbal communication is direct (by means of the human voice) or indirect (by means of a human or artificial voice which is broadcast by whatever means is appropriate).
2. Specific rules governing use
2.1 The persons involved must have a good knowledge of the language used so that they are able to pronounce and understand the spoken message correctly and consequently behave in a way which is appropriate to health and or safety.
2.2 If verbal communication is used instead of. or together with. gestures code words should be used such as:
- “start” – to indicate the start of a command
- “stop” – to interrupt or end a movement
- “end” – to stop the operation
- “raise” – to have a load risen
- “lower” – to have a load lowered
- “forwards”, “backwards”, “right” , “left” – to be coordinated with the corresponding hand signals
- “danger” – for an emergency stop
- “quickly” – to speed up a movement for safety reasons