Safety signs and symbols

Transcription

1 Safety signs and symbols These signs are those prescribed in the Health and safety (safety signs and signals) regulations 1996, or by the CHIP regulations. They are recognised throughout the European Union and must be used wherever you need to give health and safety information, prohibition, warning, or require a specific safety action using a sign or symbol. Generally the symbols are displayed with a short text (eg, no smoking or fire exit ). In addition to these graphical signs, the regulations set out standard: hand signals verbal signals warning tapes to mark hazardous areas and enclosures. Employers may need to ensure employees are aware of and understand the meaning of the safety signs. Although most are self-explanatory, some employees, particularly the newly recruited, may be unfamiliar with the less commonly-used signs. It should be noted that the regulations are not the sole source of safety signs. Other signs and symbols are provided by: the Dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres regulations 2002 (the EX sign) the British Standards Institution to mark and identify (for example) gas cylinders, pipe runs, fire doors (eg, see BS 1710, Specification for identification of pipelines and services). international treaties on transport of hazardous substances assign symbols for a variety of hazardous substances. These are the so-called hazard diamonds, which are displayed on vehicles or transport containers or packages (eg, see the UN s Orange Book, Recommendations on transport of dangerous goods model regulations). Types of safety sign or symbol These are organised into mandatory, prohibitory, warning, and fire etc safety signs. Mandatory signs These signs instruct you to take action (eg; 'Eye protection must be worn'). Mandatory signs are blue and require specific behaviour, eg: wear personal protective equipment. General warning sign, often used with other safety signs Wear eye protection

2 Wear a safety helmet Wear hearing protection Wear respiratory protection Wear safety boots Wear safety gloves Wear safety overalls

3 Wear face protection Wear safety harness Pedestrians must use this route Emergency exit or escape route signs These signs give information on escape routes, emergency exits, first-aid, or rescue facilities (eg, 'Emergency exit/escape route'). Green signs are for emergency escapes such as doors, exits or escape routes, or they are for first-aid signs to indicate equipment and facilities. Fire escape exit Fire escape exit or route

4 Fire escape exit or route Fire exit or route Fire escape exit or route Fire escape route direction First aid station

5 Emergency telephone Eyewash station Stretcher Emergency drench shower Environment hazard

6 Prohibitory signs These signs are coloured red and forbid behaviour likely to increase or cause danger (eg, 'No smoking'). They indicate dangerous behaviour, stop or shut-down; or can signify a danger alarm or an emergency cut-out device. No smoking No smoking or naked flames No access for pedestrians Do not extinguish with water Not drinking water No access for unauthorised persons

7 No access for industrial vehicles Do not touch Firefighting signs These signs provide information about the location and type of firefighting equipment available. Fire hose Fire extinguisher Ladder

8 Emergency fire telephone This way to firefighting equipment Warning signs These signs give warning of a hazard or danger (eg; 'Danger - electricity'). Warning signs are yellow or amber and mean 'be careful', 'take precautions' etc. Danger: electricity Flammable Explosive

9 Toxic Corrosive Radioactive Overhead load Attention!

10 Laser Oxidising material Non-ionising radiation Strong magnetic field Obstacles Danger of fall from a height (dangerous drop or change of level)

11 Biological hazard Low temperature Harmful or irritant v2.1