FMJ.CO.UK HEALTH & SAFETY FOCUS
SEPTEMBER 2020 43
SIGN OF THE TIMES
Workplace-related accidents
can be highly distressing
events, particularly when serious
injuries occur. While workplace
fatality figures are falling, there
were still 111 workers fatally
injured at work in the UK between
April 2019 and March 2020. Work
environments come in all shapes
and sizes so safety requirements
will di er between locations; but
to help make workplaces safer,
it is crucial that companies do
everything they can to promote
better on-site safety.
Whether to help make a building
easier to navigate or ensure first aid
kits can be quickly located, e ective
signage has a multitude of benefits.
Most notably, it serves as a constant
reminder to sta about various safety
protocols. One of the best ways to
mitigate the risk of on-site accidents is
to invest in high-quality signage. This
is recommended by the Health and
Safety (Signs and Signals) Regulations
Act , which states that safety signage
should be used where there is a
significant risk to health and safety
and where other methods cannot
control the risk.
As such, certain signage is required
by law across all businesses,
regardless of size, although these
may vary dependant on industry.
These signs, which include smoking
legislation notices, health and safety
law posters and fire extinguisher
signs must be displayed and clearly
apparent to all on-site and must also
conform to the BS ISO 7010 standard
to ensure consistency. Failing to do
so can lead to companies being fined,
particularly if an accident were to
occur.
CATEGORIES
In general, signage is normally split
into five main categories:
Prohibition signs which prohibit
actions detrimental to health and
safety
Warning signs to alert onlookers to
potential risk
Mandatory signs which require
actions to ensure safety
Safe Conditions signs that indicate
exit routes
Fire safety signs to mark the
location of fire equipment
If you are in any way responsible for
a business or commercial property,
you must display the required signage
appropriate to your industry and
building. Whilst clear signage is not
meant to be a substitute for proper
health and safety protocols, it does
help companies reduce and mitigate
the risk on their premises.
The use of signs featuring
pictograms can be very e ective, as
they help to illustrate warnings in
an immediate and obvious manner
and are an ideal solution to help
keep non-native speakers safe. For
example, pictograms are commonly
used on hazard signs to alert the
presence of a hazardous chemical,
the dangers of using it, as well as
the outcomes if not used properly.
However, it is important to only
specify pictogram signs that are ISO
7010 compliant as this is the technical
standard which regulates the colours
and symbols on hazard and safety
signs and ensures messages are
universal and therefore recognizable
and easily understood.
A good way to ensure that signs
are visible at all times is to specify
photoluminescent solutions.
Photoluminescent signs self-charge
in ambient light, meaning that should
a power failure occur or conditions
mean visibility is poor, the signs will
illuminate and create a clear guide to
the nearest exit or fire extinguisher. As
always, it is imperative to place signs
in a clear, obvious area so that they
are easily visible to everyone.
INCREASED REGULATION
Health and safety regulators are
permitted to conduct unscheduled
checks around businesses and
workplaces to ensure standards are
being upheld. However, in the past,
many sign-related prosecutions were
reactive - only occurring once an onsite
accident had already happened.
For many, this enforcement approach
was not rigorous enough and
meant that some businesses could
be operating without the proper
precautions until it was too late. As
identified in the Ministry of Housing,
Communities and Local Government’s
consultation outcome document,
‘Building a safer future’, moving
forward companies should expect
“greater oversight by regulators and
tougher enforcement when things go
wrong”. As such, companies which
inadequately use signage across their
premises should now expect more
pushback from authorities.
This change has been further
compounded by the rise of COVID-19,
which has necessitated the purchase
of a totally new range of signs for
companies to buy and install. Since
the outbreak, it is now recommended
by the Government that companies
display signs that remind employees
and visitors of the advised hygiene
methods. For example, hand washing
guidance, and also to remain socially
distanced and wear face coverings.
With so many signs to display and
only limited space to do it, the use
of floor vinyl is increasing – helping
companies stay compliant without
overwhelming employees with
information.
Mandatory by law and essential in reducing the risk of accidents, the
implementation of eff ective safety signage is crucial to any workplace.
Danny Adamson, MD at Stocksigns looks at how compliance with the latest
safety requirements can ensure a safe working environment for employees