| The proper use of safety signs is a compulsory | | | | inform people of escape routes and escape |
| requirement for all businesses, commercial | | | | procedures. The normal style is wording such as |
| organisations and public access buildings. Legislation | | | | "Fire Exit" or "Exit" along with a running man |
| is in place to enforce the proper use of these | | | | symbol and a directional arrow. Other common |
| signs. The enforcement of this legislation is within | | | | uses are for "Assembly point" and "Push Bar to |
| the remit of The Health and Safety Executive | | | | Open". |
| (The HSE). | | | | All of these signs are usually available in a choice |
| The content of health and safety signs is split into | | | | of materials. Self adhesive vinyl, rigid plastic, |
| the following categories. | | | | dibond and aluminium are the most usual materials. |
| 1. Prohibition. | | | | Self adhesive vinyl is for internal use, and should |
| A predominantly red and white safety sign which | | | | only be applied to smooth flat surfaces. Rigid |
| denotes that a certain behavior or activity is | | | | plastic can be used externally but is predominantly |
| prohibited. "No smoking" and "No access" are | | | | for internal use. These can be fixed using |
| common examples. | | | | appropriate double sided tape or can be pre-drilled |
| 2. Hazard. | | | | for screw fixing. Dibond and aluminium are more |
| A warning triangle which is yellow with a black | | | | suitable for external use and have the appropriate |
| border signifies all potential hazards. Signs can be | | | | fire ratings for signage in high risk areas, such as |
| generic and just state "Danger" or can be more | | | | chemical or gas cylinder stores. For buildings |
| specific, such as "Caution slippery surface" or | | | | without emergency lighting, the use of |
| "Danger High Voltage". The symbol within the | | | | photoluminous signs is essential particularly for Fire |
| triangle varies according to the hazard. An | | | | Exit and Fire Equipment signage. This too is |
| exclamation mark denotes a general hazard, | | | | available in all of the above materials but as only |
| whereas a lightning strike denotes an electrical | | | | suitable for interior use, most commonly in Self |
| hazard. | | | | Adhesive Vinyl and Rigid Plastic. |
| 3. Mandatory. | | | | The size of the signage required is determined by |
| A blue and white sign denotes that a certain | | | | the viewing distance of the sign. For example, as |
| action must be taken. By far the most common | | | | a rough guide, signs visible up to 10 metres away |
| use is to signify that certain types of protective | | | | should be 300mm x 100mm, up to 20 metres, |
| equipment must be worn or used. "Hard Hats", | | | | 600mm x 200mm and up to 40m, 1200mm x |
| "Safety Footwear", "Hi-visibility clothing" and "Eye | | | | 400mm. |
| protection" are essential in nearly all areas of | | | | There are many British Standards governing the |
| industry and construction. | | | | design of signs, but with particular reference to |
| 4. Fire Equipment. | | | | "Fire exit" and "Fire equipment" signs, BS5499 or |
| A red and white sign is used to denote all fire | | | | 92/58/EEC should be used. |
| equipment such as extinguishers, alarm call points, | | | | Sign buyers should also be aware of their |
| and fire hoses. Extinguisher signs are further | | | | responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination |
| coded to denote the type and its proper use. For | | | | Act (DDA) where it may be appropriate to |
| example, CO2 (black) signifies safe for use on | | | | provide signs in "Tactile" or "Braille" formats. |
| electrical fires but should not be used in a confined | | | | In short, signs are an essential part of every |
| space. | | | | business and advice should be sought when |
| 5. Safe condition. | | | | determining what is needed in terms of content, |
| A green and white sign that denotes safe | | | | size and material. |
| conditions. These are predominantly used to | | | | |