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Safety Signs

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Safety signs are an effective way to communicate important information within your premises. It’s important to help keep people safe. Using safety signs can help to reduce the risks of both employees and visitors.

Avoid using too many signs in one location as it could cause confusion. Here at Safetyshop we have a wide range of multi-message signs to help combat this. If you can’t find the sign you need please get in touch with our sales team today, or alternatively create your own online.

What is BS EN ISO 7010?

BS EN ISO 7010 was introduced in January 2013, to create an international standard for the use of safety signs using symbols that could be easily understood by everyone.

This means that a no smoking sign in the UK will look exactly the same in another European country.

What do I need to do to comply?

BS EN ISO 7010 applies to all workplaces, there are a few exceptions where specialist signs are needed, this includes maritime, rail, road and air traffic industries. All places that need to display safety signs to convey safety information should use symbols that comply with BS EN ISO 7010.

Rest assured, here at Safetyshop we only manufacture signs that comply with BS EN ISO 7010, this includes standard signs and any bespoke orders for signs.

Do I need to display Safety Signs?

There are some signs that are essential within the workplace no matter what kind of business you do. This includes fire safety signs, all fire equipment should be identified so it’s easy to find in the event of a fire. As an employer you should provide safety signs if there is a significant risk to employees, visitors or members of the public and they can’t be avoided or controlled in any other way.

In order to meet official requirements, signs need to be clearly visible at all times. You must ensure that nothing is placed in front of them. If your signs start to look worn and become difficult to read, you should replace them as soon as possible.

Remember not everyone can see signs, if you have visually impaired employees or visitors you should invest in tactile and braille signs to make them safer. These signs still use the same familiar symbols but those symbols stand out against the background so that they can be easily identified by touch.

The Cost of Injury

Sometimes, safety signs in the workplace are considered a measure that primarily benefits the employees who use them to avoid obstacles. While this is an important aspect of their purpose, there is more to consider when planning the appropriate content and location of safety signs and symbols. It is not only employees who suffer when a preventable accident occurs.

More than a million workers annually report an illness or injury caused by their place of employment. This number has far-reaching consequences, with the combined total costs of such incidents totalling around £16.2bn. The impact of these incidents upon the workplace is even more pronounced when the injured party misses work throughout the course of their recovery. This includes an estimated £3.2bn in costs to employers, who must find replacement workers while their employees recover.

Safety signs and symbols can help lower the cost of injuries in the workplace by alerting employees to potential danger before accidents happen. Our workplace safety signs and symbols experts understand the importance of finding the best safety solutions for your workplace, including access awareness signs, mandatory signs, and safety clothing signs.

As well as identifying hazards, safety signs are important for directing people to resources they may need quickly, from first aid supplies to fire exits. They can also prevent workers from creating hazards by warning them against smoking or using damaged equipment. You can find information signs on the Safetyshop website designed to help people move around your premises and find what they need efficiently, and you can find signs for warning off thieves. Even if you think that the thieves might not care, it’s worth using these – without a sign to say that you have CCTV installed, for instance, CCTV evidence that you collect may be inadmissible in court.

Comparison of Safety Sign Types and Product Features

Workplace safety does not depend solely upon the presence of signs of safety, but rather the implementation of the proper signage depending upon the hazard in question. There are at least five categories of safety signs to consider, and the best choice depends upon the specific dangers that a workplace contains.

Top Safety Sign Options

Our workplace safety professionals have compiled some of the best safety sign options on the market.

  • Combined Fire Exit and Keep Clear signs are an important addition to just about any workplace, regardless of industry.
  • Safety signs in construction are equally important, and our safety sign kit can help keep employees and employers alike safe even in chaotic circumstances.
  • Fire Assembly Point signs can be used in conjunction with Fire Action Notices to help guide employees to safety during an evacuation.
  • Maintaining high levels of cleanliness has now become the norm to help fight against infections and viruses. Our range of Infection Control signs can act as a gentle reminder to employees, visitors and the general public.

What Are the Different Types of Safety Signs?

Prohibition signs

Prohibition Signs

Red circle with diagonal line

Means: You must not/Do not do/Stop

Examples: No smoking, No admittance authorised personnel only, No parking

Mandatory Signs

Mandatory Signs

Solid blue circle with white symbols

Means: You must do/Carry out action displayed on the sign

Examples: Any personal protective equipment (PPE) signs

Safe Condition Signs (First Aid/Evacuation)

Safe Condition signs (First Aid/Evacuation)

Solid green rectangle or square

Means: The safe way/Where to go in an emergency

Examples: Fire exit, Push bar to open, Assembly point, First aid, AED

Hazard Warning Signs

Hazard Warning Signs

Yellow triangle with black border and symbol

Means: Potential hazard within a designated area, Caution/Risk of danger

Examples: Danger high voltage, Slippery surface, Fragile roof

Fire Safety Signs

Fire Safety Signs

Solid red rectangle or square

Means: Locates fire equipment or personnel

Examples: Fire extinguisher ID signs, Fire alarms, Call points, Firefighting equipment





FAQs

How often will I need to replace signs?

All of these signs are designed to last for years as long as they are respectfully treated, but you may occasionally need new signs if regulations change. Keeping up with trade journals can give you early warning when such changes are on the way.

Can’t people see for themselves if there are steps or the floor is wet?

Accidents often happen when people aren’t paying attention, which can easily happen when their minds are focused on work. Safety signs like these are designed to be much more difficult to miss.

What size sign do I need?

There is no real ‘standard size’ when it comes to safety signs. The size of the sign depends on multiple factors, for example, where is the sign going? How much text do you require? And how many symbols are needed.

Your signs need to be displayed in a position where they can be seen clearly at all times. Keep this in mind when choosing your signs, if you are unsure we have a sales team on hand to help give you advice and guidance.

Which material do I need?

There are no set rules on which material you need when buying a safety sign but there are some things you need to consider.

Location of the sign? Is it for indoor or outdoor use? Our most popular materials, self adhesive vinyl, rigid polypropylene and rigid polypropylene with adhesive backing, are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

Does it need to withstand harsh conditions? We have a range of specialist signs that are suited to particular workspaces.

Do you have signs suitable in a power outage?

Yes, unless you have emergency lighting or natural light in your premises then safety signs will not be seen, which in the event of an evacuation could be dangerous. We have a full range of photoluminescent signs that will stay illuminated even during a power outage.

I can’t see the sign I need, what do I do?

Don’t worry if you can’t see the sign you are after, we can help design your sign and include your branding and logo if necessary. Get in touch today!

I’m not sure what signs I need, can you help?

Safetyshop has dedicated account managers, who have been in the signage industry for a number of years and can assist you with determining the sign(s) you need. As part of our service to you, we also offer free site surveys. Contact one of our account managers today.