Health & Safety Law

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The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

These regulations state that every employer and self-employed person has a legal obligation to regularly carry out a risk assessment relating to the health and safety of their employees.If any risks found cannot be avoided or eliminated, employers must use a safety sign on the premises, even if it is a temporary risk or hazard, to inform staff, contractors and visitors of the hazard on your premises. Is your signage current and legal? Scroll the page and follow this step by step guide to help you choose the correct safety signage for your premises

Step 1 » Fire Exit Signs

To assess these you should start from the centre of the site or building, or point farthest from a fire exit and work towards the exit, noting changes in direction and levels. At these points a fire exit sign should be placed as well as at regular points along the route, i.e. you should take.

British Standard

European Style

Pause & Check

• Are you using only British Standard OR European style (not both)?
• Are there Fire Exit signs with directional arrows to indicate every change in direction or level?
• Are there Fire Exit signs with an arrow up symbol over every doorway to ensure you go straight on?
• Are there Fire Exit signs with an arrow up symbol at every Fire Exit?

Step 2 » Fire Door and Assembly Point Signs

Next you need to check that all Fire Exit Doors have a sign explaining opening methods. Fire doors must have a sign explaining if they should be kept shut and/or kept clear as appropriate. Upon exiting the building the assembly point or points should be signed.

Pause & Check

• Is there a green safe condition sign to indicate how to open each fire exit door?
• Are there ‘Fire Exit Keep Clear’ signs outside every fire exit door?
• Are all your Fire Doors clearly identified with the correct signage?
• Are all your assembly points clearly signed?
• Are there ‘Fire Exit Keep Clear’ signs outside every fire exit door?

Step 3 » Fire Action and Fire Equipment Signs

Is your fire action procedure clear? The location of all fire-fighting equipment should be clearly marked with a sign. This includes extinguishers, fire blankets and call points.

Pause & Check

• Do you have Call Point signs and Fire Action notices at every fire alarm call point?
• Do your fire extinguishers have the correct signs identifying them?
• Do your fire extinguisher signs show what type of fires they can be used on?
• Is all of your other fire equipment correctly identified?
• Do your fire extinguishers have the correct signs identifying them?

Step 4 » The Health & Safety Law Poster

Revised in October 1999, The Health and Safety Law Poster

‘What You Should Know’ is a statutory notice which should be displayed by all employers. The latest version informs of employer and employee duties within the modern framework of health and safety law including risk assessment and employee consultation. It should be displayed in a prominent position, clear to all employees in your workplace.

Step 5 » Smoking Ban Signs

You must display a no-smoking sign at each public entrance to your workplace. This sign must also have specific text. If you do not display the appropriate sign you could be fined up to £1000. Choose the appropriate sign from below depending on your location. Supplementary no smoking signs can be used internally (as they always have been) to help ensure your smoke free policy is adhered to.

Step 6 » Safe Condition Signs

These signs are required to identify medical assistance or an area of safety. You should indicate who the first aiders are, clearly identify the location of your first aid boxes, first aid room or station, and equipment such as eye wash stations or emergency showers.

Pause & Check

• Have you displayed the names of your first aiders?
• Have all of your first aid boxes been clearly identified?
• Do you have signs to clearly identify your first aid and emergency help stations?

Step 7 » Machinery Hazards and PPE Signs

If you have any machinery on your premises you must have signs to warn of hazards and actions to be taken, such as ensuring guards are in place and identifying emergency stop buttons. These must be placed close to the machine or its control panel. Signs regarding protective clothing, equipment and any action to be taken must be placed on or close to the machine.

Pause & Check

• Do all machines with guards carry safety signs on the use of guards?
• Do you have signs to clearly identify emergency stop buttons?
• Do machines require the use of personal protective equipment and therefore PPE safety signs to reinforce their use?
• Do you have any areas in the building where the noise level could exceed 85dB(A)?
• Then you must display signage to warn of this

Step 8 » Hazardous Substance Control

You have a responsibility to protect your staff and visitors. All persons at work need to be aware of the status of any Hazardous Substance that they may come into contact with. This range of Safety Signs will help create awareness and contribute to a safer workplace.

Pause & Check

• Are there hazardous substances on the premises that need identifying?
• Are there any potentially explosive, flammable, chemical, corrosive or toxic substances on site?
• Have you marked them correctly?
• If so, do points of entry to hazardous areas need signing?
• Have you checked that any electrical risks are properly signed?

Step 9 » Pedestrian & Vehicle Access Signs

As you walk around your premises you must consider the movement of employees, visitors and contractors. Signs must be used to indicate where pedestrians can and cannot safely walk, and identify any hazards. Traffic routes for vehicles must also be clearly identified to ensure safety. Signs should be used to indicate whether routes are designed for pedestrians or vehicles.

Pause & Check

• Are all pedestrian routes clearly marked?
• Are areas that are restricted to authorised personnel clearly marked?
• Do you have any slip, trip or fall hazards?
• Do visitors know where to go on arrival to your premises?
• Have you warned of Fork Lift Trucks and other vehicles?

Step 10 » Specific Risk and Danger Signs

Take some time to walk around your premises looking out for any potential hazards. Your risk assessment must identify any potentially hazardous situations. You must then clearly highlight the potential hazards as well as identify the necessary steps to avoid them.

Pause & Check

• Do you have a canteen or cooking hazards?
• Are all hot water/hot surface hazards clearly marked?
• Are all your access routes free from obstructions and obstacles?
• Do you have CCTV signs warning of any surveillance cameras?

Also Consider » Polish Signs

With an expanding Polish population, it is important that your signage is suitable if you have Polish employees or visitors. Think logically about potentially hazardous situations – emergency evacuations, danger avoidance, no entry areas etc. Is your current signage clear enough to be easily understood?

Pause & Check

• Do you have Polish employees?
• Does your site frequently have Polish visitors?
• Do you need additional or new signs to fulfil your safety responsibilities?