Mandatory Safety Signs for the Workplace

Safety signs are mandatory signs installed especially in work places so that employees are adequately warned if any danger takes place. Such signs help all employees to be aware of any potential danger and help them to either avoid such situations or be able to react quickly if caught in a dangerous situation. It is the duty of the employer to install relevant safety signs on the business premises.

Different types of mandatory signs

Mandatory signs should cover information on health and safety. Means of displaying such signs could be - posted on a signboard – an acoustic signal – a hand signal – even verbal communication.

Why are safety mandatory signs used

As mentioned above, if under any circumstances a danger or hazard is present – employees must be able to avoid the same if such danger occurs; or because of such advance warning, be able to take steps to reduce the impact of any calamity that occurs.

Contents of safety signs

You will notice that in all safety signs pictograms or symbols are painted on a signboard. These symbols are used instead of any text as they are meant for all employees to understand the significance. Almost like a universal language.

Employers' responsibility

In spite of making mandatory signs as clear and visually effective as possible when put up in the workplace, employers have the responsibility of explaining the meaning of these signs to the staff. This is in the event any calamity does take place, then the staff will now how to react quickly.

Supplementary signboards

Sometimes a supplementary signboard is used in the workplace. This type of signboard could have some text included, mainly to enhance its clarity. Signboards are normally printed on what is known as a 'carrier'. The carrier can be made of plywood, metal, plastic – or any other material which is suitable to the location where it is displayed.

Including text on mandatory signs

In years gone by including text on signs was allowed. However, since 2007 a rule has been passed that usage of text would not be allowed. However in the case of supplementary signboards, text could be used but with strictures that such text should not adversely impact the safety aspect of the signboard.

Regulated colours used when producing mandatory signboards

-          For  prohibition – the colour RED

-          For taking positive action – the colour GREEN

-          For being careful or cautious – the colour YELLOW

-          For taking required action – the colour BLUE

-          The sign 'O' is used for conveying instructions and prohibitions

-          The triangle sign is used for specific warnings

-          For emergencies and special information, the signs have to have rectangles and squares

Common safety signs

As mentioned above mandatory signs are meant to warn people or make them aware of safety instructions. In the workplace, some of the common signs read 'workmen overhead', 'no tresspassing'  'fire' signs etc. The pictures depicting these signs need to be very clear and the message implied should be unambiguous. 'Exit' signs are also important in the case of any emergency.

 

 

 

Source : articlesbase.com