Workplace safety signs and signals

There are three separate sets of safety signs that may be used in the workplace  

1 Safety signs used to give information in the course of normal work. 

2 Hazard warning signs identify the hazards of various substances and are required to be included as part of the labelling of hazardous substances. See Sections 11.2 11.3 and 11.4. 

3 Hazchem Boards to give the emergency services warning of the chemical nature of substances that may be involved in fires or road incidents. For transport vehicles they are supported by a Tremcard held by the driver. See Section 11.8. 

Suitable fire safety signs to be posted to meet requirements of a Fire Certificate or the recommendations of a Fire Authority (additional signs may be necessary on the recommendations of fire insurers). Any signs provided must be kept maintained and in place. 

The type, shape and colour of the signs are specified in The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 which apply only to workplaces. Signs concerning the identification of hazardous and dangerous substances are dealt with in Sections 11.2, 11.4 and 11.8. 

Where hand signals are used they should comply with the signals illustrated in either  

There are four colours which have specific meanings  

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