Safety Signs and Signals
Who Should Read This?
You! If you are an employer, or have responsibility for a work site or premises.
What are the Main Legal Requirements?
- Signs should be used if, after a risk assessment and sensible controls have been carried out and implemented a significant risk remains, which can be reduced by having them.
- You must provide information, instruction and training on the types and meanings.
- You must maintain signs, so they can be clearly seen
What Types of Signs are There?
There are four main types of sign, with separate signs required for hazardous chemicals and for fire safety and some additional requirements for hand signals.
The Four Main Types of Safety Sign
- Safety Signs. Most of us are familiar with the signs for a first aid kit, emergency exit or assembly point, which are rectangular, green in colour, with white text. Exit signs should be over the doorway and indicate the route through to the final exit and assembly point, including arrows where the next door is obscured from view. These signs need to be illuminated or luminous if they are to indicate the route in the event of a fire.
- Prohibition Signs used in the workplace are similar to those used on the road, with the same meaning. These are red circular signs, with black and white images and black or white text.
- Warning Signs are denoted as yellow triangles and contain an image that is usually self-explanatory, but can often be unknown or confusing. Remember there is a duty to provide information and training to employees on the meaning and response to safety signs.
- Mandatory (or must) Signs are blue and almost always circular, with some rectangular if indicating a direction. They are often accompanied by white text
Other Types of Signs
Edge or falling protection, Health Hazard and Hand Signals.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What if I send my people to work at other premises?
- You are usually ok to rely on them having signs that address hazards on their site or premises.
- How loud to alarms need to be?
- For announcements 10 decibels above the ambient noise and for alarms significantly louder than the ambient. Announcements are usually around 90 decibels and alarms are usually around 120 decibels.
- Do I need to provide Training?
- This is not an absolute requirement, but should be delivered if there is any doubt, such as for new or unusual signs or for workers not familiar, such as those with English as a second language.
- Do the requirements for signs apply to me if I am self-employed?
- No
- What are the requirements for size and colour?
- Manufacturers refer to various British standards when producing safety signs. You should not need to be concerned if you purchase from a reputable supplier
- What Legally Constitutes a Safety Sign or Signal?
- Signs, including prohibition, warning, mandatory, emergency escape and first aid or fire as well as sounds, such as alarms or recorded messages, (played over a loudspeaker/announcement system).
If you have any questions, or would like a free consultation or an assessment of the safety signs at your premises, call (0116) 2169224 or email [email protected]