UNDERSTANDING AND RECOQNISING WORK SAFETY SYMBOLS

Transcription

1 UNDERSTANDING AND RECOQNISING WORK SAFETY SYMBOLS Work safety symbols are used across the world, including Australia and in many different industries to give a specific message to those who may be exposed to hazards in the workplace. They are used to prevent accidents, signify health hazards, indicate the location of safety and fire protection equipment, or for giving guidance and instruction in an emergency. As you go through the notes, you will notice that usually with some safety symbols, there are commonalities between them in terms of colours, shapes, and symbols used. PROHIBITION SYMBOL The prohibition symbol is normally denoted by a Red circle with a diagonal line running through it with the black symbol in the middle (sometimes accompanied by words) signifying what you must not do or is prohibited. You can see that this is the case with the following prohibition symbols below. For example, the first symbol shown below signifies that smoking is not permitted in this area or beyond a certain point and the second symbol means that you are not permitted to use a mobile phone. These symbols are normally seen where petrol pumps are because sometimes a radiation from the mobile phone can set a whole place (mainly places that contain highly inflammable materials) or maybe in areas where the signals from the mobile phone can hamper some important signals like in the airplanes. The last three symbols are self-explanatory but you get the idea. CAUTION SYMBOL Generally the Caution symbol is used to signify potential danger and is usually identified by a triangle with a Yellow background and a black symbol in the middle signifying the danger. Here are few examples of Caution Symbols that you may have come across in the workplace. Teach Yourself Publications Copyright

2 THE EXCLAMATION OR GENERAL CAUTION OR GENERAL WARNING SYMBOL The exclamation mark as shown here is often used to draw attention to a warning of danger, hazards and potential dangers in the vicinity. As seen below it is also sometimes accompanied by words. ELECTRICAL SAFETY OR HIGH VOLTAGE CAUTION SYMBOL The Caution symbol are sometimes accompanies by particular symbol such as this high voltage caution symbol (usually a zigzag arrow as shown here but sometimes an electrical wire with the plug attached to it or with the actual wording and picture as shown below). It is used to tell us that there may be certain electrical machines and/or equipment in the vicinity where utmost care is necessary as there can be a danger of getting an electric shock, which can cause severe injuries or even death. BIOHAZARD SYMBOL You will normally see the biohazard or biological hazard symbol when there is a danger involving medical waste, virus, toxins and bacteria in the area which can present a danger to you or any other living organisms. When you see this symbol, people must take the necessary precautions so as not to be exposed to the harmful substances; which is why only authorized personnel with the appropriate safety gear are allowed in this area. Teach Yourself Publications Copyright

3 RADIOACTIVE SYMBOL The radioactive symbol is used to let employees know that there are radioactive substances or materials in the area. As exposure to radiation, may result in cell damage and/or cancer, extreme care, appropriate clothing are normally recommended when you are in this type of area which is why only authorized personnel are normally the only ones allowed in this area. Please note that sometimes words are used as shown or a combination of each. OTHER CAUTION SYMBOLS USED IN THE WORKPLACE There are many other cautious symbol that are used in the workplace with the usual Yellow triangle or background as shown telling to let the workers or visitors know that they must take extreme care when in that work space. PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT MUST BE WORN SYMBOL The Protective Equipment Must Be Worn symbol is usually denoted by a circle with a blue background with the White symbol in the middle signifying the type of protective equipment you have to wear. Teach Yourself Publications Copyright

4 You can see from the first symbol, it tells us that breathing apparatus must be worn, the second tells us that hearing protection must be worn, with the third telling us that eye protection must be worn and the last symbol telling us that gloves must be worn. To make things clear, some symbols are sometimes accompanied by words as shown below. EMERGENCY RELATED INFORMATION SYMBOL In the workplace, you will also come across emergency related information symbol which are usually identified by a Rectangle with a Green background and a White symbol or word signifying what it is. Here are a few examples Teach Yourself Publications Copyright

5 Further if have emergency related information that have a Red background instead of Red; it is normally related to fire related scenarios as shown below. FIRST AID SYMBOL The square box with a Green background and a White cross (sometimes they are accompanies by words as shown) usually indicates where to go when there is a medical emergency and is an internationally accepted symbol. Apart from the symbol given here, when the Red Cross symbol is used, it is used to let people know that there is an ambulance service in the nearby vicinity. SECURITY SYMBOLS Security symbols are also used in the workplace and normally in a rectangular box with a Yellow background and the word Security with a Black ground as shown. Teach Yourself Publications Copyright

6 POISON SYMBOL The Poison symbol (a skull with two bones) is used to tell us that poisonous substances are used and it is important workers take extra care and precautions. Normally, you should wear the appropriate attire as mentioned or advised when you are in this work area. DANGER SYMBOL The Danger symbol is used to let those in the vicinity know that there may be dangerous chemicals, hazardous machines and equipment, or trenches in a particular area. Usually the Danger symbol can be a Diamond shape with a Black symbol normally usually accompanies by words as shown below or a Triangle with a Yellow background and the Black symbol denoting the hazard. SHARP OBJECT SAFETY SYMBOL This symbol is used to warn people of the possibility of sharp objects in the area/container that can cause cuts or punctures to the person/s involved. ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD SYMBOL This symbol has a withered tree and a dead fish symbol and tells us that there may be certain materials or chemicals capable of causing environmental damage or pollution resulting in the possible loss of human lives and/or other living organisms. Teach Yourself Publications Copyright

7 FLAMMABLE SYMBOL The flammable symbol can be used in a diamond or a triangle but you can tell by the Flame symbol as shown below. The symbol tells us that in that particular vicinity, there is a risk of fire and utmost caution must be taken. HARMFUL/IRRITANT SYMBOL There are some chemicals which if misused can be harmful or cause irritation. In the workplace, the harmful symbol is denoted by an Black X with a small 'h' on the bottom-right corner and the irritant symbol is denoted by a Black X with a small 'i' on the bottom-right corner. Teach Yourself Publications Copyright