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Within any workplace, safety is absolutely crucial. However, some environments pose bigger risks than others. A building site, for example, has the potential to be extremely hazardous, but managed correctly, these risks can be significantly reduced. One way to help with the prevention of accidents and injuries is the use of correct safety signage. In order to comply with regulations, site managers must ensure they follow the requirements set out in the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals Regulations) 1996. These regulations cover everything from signs and hand signals to audible warnings and must be applied to all places of work listed in the Health and Safety at work etc Act 1974. Let’s take a look at the main categories of safety signs and their requirements.
Please note, this is not a definitive list and additional advice should be sought should you be unclear regarding requirements. The Regulations as set out out in Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals Regulations) 1996 apply to all places people are employed but excludes signage used in relation to supply of substances, products and equipment or the supply of dangerous goods.
Mandatory Signs
Definition: Used to indicate an action that must be undertaken in order to comply with statutory requirements. Examples: High visibility clothing must be worn in this area, Fire Door Keep Shut, High noise level ear protectors required. Specific Requirements: Signs that indicate mandatory actions consist of a solid blue circle with the requirement shown in either white writing or a pictogram positioned centrally.Warning Signs
Definition: Used to indicate to employees or passers by of potential danger nearby and required in specific cases by the Dangerous Substances (Notification and Marking of Sites) Regulations 1990. Examples: Caution Toxic, Danger Falling Objects, Caution Wet Floor. Specific Requirements: Warning signs should be displayed in a black, banded equilateral triangle. The colour within the triangle should be yellow with the warning shown in black text or pictogram positioned centrally.Prohibition Signs
Definition: Prohibition signs illustrate ‘Do Not’ commands and are common in both work environments and public areas. Examples: No forklift trucks, No food or drink, No smoking Specific Requirements: Signs that prohibit specific activities consist of a circular red band with one red diagonal line through it from the top left to bottom right at 45 degrees. The background of the circle should be white with pictogram of the action prohibited in black.
Safe Condition Signs
Definition: Safe condition signs are used to indicate safe actions or the location of specific safety equipment. Examples: Fire exit, Drinking water, Assembly point. Specific Requirements: These signs indicating safe conditions should be shown in either a green rectangle or square with the text or pictogram displayed in white positioned centrally within the sign.
Each year in the Construction sector, around 3% of workers sustain a work-related injury. By ensuring that the necessary safety signs are used, you can help minimise the risk to your employees. At CMT, we sell a full range of safety signs and equipment to help you fulfill requirements set out by law. Remember, we offer free next day delivery to get your items to site, fast! For more information on any of the items stocked by CMT, contact one of the team today. 
