Health & Safety in construction Safety signs Graham Twiby 1

Health & Safety in construction Safety signs Graham Twiby 1

Safety signs and the law The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations require employers to provide safety signs to raise awareness of risks to health and safety. – There are four types of safety signs in general use. – Each has a designated shape and colour. – They make sure that information is given in a standard format with minimum use of words. Graham Twiby 2

Safety signs Remember the general duty of employees: – cooperate with your employer by observing signs; – comply with the law and your employer’s safe systems of work; – make proper and correct use of safety equipment; – don’t tamper with, deface, or remove safety signs. Graham Twiby 3

Safety Signs Contents Introduction to safety signs. Prohibition signs Mandatory signs Warning signs Fire signs. Information signs. Graham Twiby 4

Introduction to Safety Signs Red Prohibition sign Dangerous behaviour; stop; shut down; emergency cut-out Danger alarm device; evacuate; be careful; take precaution; examine, Yellow or Warning sign Be careful; Amber take precautions; examine. Graham Twiby 5

Introduction to Safety Signs Blue Mandatory sign Green Emergency escape First-aid sign; no danger Red Fire signs Specific behaviour or action e.g. wear personal protective equipment. Doors; exits; escape routes; equipment and facilities; return to normal. Fire equipment and alarm points etc. Graham Twiby 6

Four types of safety sign PROHIBITION SIGNS These mean stop/must not do. The sign is circular with a white background, black pictogram and red border and crossbar. – All writing is white on a red background. – Look at these examples – can you identify them? Graham Twiby 7

Four types of safety sign WARNING SIGNS These mean there is a risk of danger. – The sign is triangular with a yellow background, black pictogram and black border. – All writing is black on a yellow background. – Look at these examples – can you identify them? Graham Twiby 8

Four types of safety sign MANDATORY SIGNS These mean that it must be obeyed. – These signs feature a blue circle with white pictogram. – Any text must be white on a blue background. – Look at these examples – can you identify them? Graham Twiby 9

Four types of safety sign SAFE CONDITION SIGNS These mean safe place or safe way to go. – These signs are a green rectangle or square with a white pictogram and text. – Look at these examples – can you identify them? Graham Twiby 10

Prohibition Signs Do not drink. Do not extinguish with water. Do not touch. Graham Twiby 11

Prohibition Signs No access for unauthorised persons. No naked flame. No access for pedestrians. Graham Twiby 12

Prohibition Signs No access for industrial vehicles. No smoking. Graham Twiby 13

Mandatory Signs Safety boots must be worn. Ear protection must be worn. Eye protection must be worn. Graham Twiby 14

Mandatory Signs Face protection must be worn. General mandatory sign, to be accompanied where necessary by another sign. Pedestrians must use this route. Graham Twiby 15

Mandatory Signs Respiratory equipment must be worn. Safety gloves must be worn. Safety harness must be worn. Graham Twiby 16

Mandatory Signs Safety helmets must be worn. Safety overalls must be worn. Graham Twiby 17

Warning Signs Biological risk. Corrosive materials. Danger :- electricity. Graham Twiby 18

Warning Signs Drop. Explosive materials. Flammable materials or high temperature. Graham Twiby 19

Warning Signs General danger. Harmful or irritant material. Industrial vehicle. Graham Twiby 20

Warning Signs Laser beam. Low temperature. Strong magnetic field. Graham Twiby 21

Warning Signs Non-ionising radiation. Obstacles. Overhead load. Graham Twiby 22

Warning Signs Oxidant materials. Toxic materials. Radioactive materials. Graham Twiby 23

Fire Signs Emergency fire telephone. Fire extinguisher. Fire hose reel. Graham Twiby 24

Fire Signs Ladder. This way signs for fire. Graham Twiby 25

Information Signs Emergency exit. Route signs. Graham Twiby 26

Information Signs Emergency exit Route signs Graham Twiby 27

Information Signs This way signs for emergency exits and escape routes. Graham Twiby 28

Information Signs First aid post. Emergency telephone for first aid or escape. Graham Twiby 29

Information Signs Eyewash. Stretcher. Safety shower. Graham Twiby 30

Safety signs - summary There are four types of safety signs in general use: – prohibition; – mandatory; – warning; – safe condition. Each have a designated shape and colour. If you are unsure about anything, always ASK. Graham Twiby 31

End of Presentation Graham Twiby 32