The Importance of Health & Safety Signs

Across the UK we have become accustomed to health and safety signs.

We understand their meanings and this type of signage has steadily become a universal language that everybody understands. We are going to take a look at the different categories of health and safety signs whilst assessing their overall importance.

The reason health and safety signs are displayed is to ensure maximum protection of staff members and the public. By indicating safety instructions in certain buildings and environments everybody is kept secure.

Let’s take a look at the different categories health and safety signage falls into:

• Prohibition & Fire
• Mandatory/Safety
• Caution/Warning
• Safe Conditions

If we were to ask you to name one sign from each of the above categories, the chances are you could. You will be subconsciously familiar with the majority of these.

Prohibition & Fire Signs

Think back to the last time you saw a ‘No Entry’ or ‘In Case of Emergency’ sign. What colour was this? Any signage pertaining to fire or danger is always in the colour red. These circular warnings are red on white backgrounds with a red strike through the middle. Inside the circle will be a black illustration whilst the red strike states ‘not permitted’. Medical facilities often show ‘No Smoking’ and ‘No Mobile Phone’ signs in this way.

Mandatory/Safety Signs

A safety sign requests individuals to carry out a specific or certain behaviour. Mandatory signs are always blue and white and can be found across many different industries. Educational facilities teaching science are required to show ‘Eye Protection Must be Worn’. Many public restrooms highlight ‘Now Wash Your Hands’ and often in shopping centres you will be used to seeing @Place all Rubbish in Bins Provided’.

Caution/Warning Signs

Unlike Prohibition, a caution sign is requesting people to be proceed with care and therefore need not be red. These yellow or amber triangles are heavily outlined in black and found in offices, schools, hospitals, cafes, industry and more. Think about the last time your place of work was cleaned. If you didn’t see a ‘Caution Wet Floor’ sign, the Health & Safety Regulations 1996 act is being ignored. Additional familiar signs include ‘Caution Very Hot Water’, ‘Caution Uneven Surface’ and ‘Warning Beware of Step’.

Safe Condition Signs

Safety signs tell individuals what to do or where to go in case of an emergency. Green rectangles with white writing are clear to understand whilst pushing people towards safety, quickly and effectively. Every commercial building should have a ‘First Aid’ sign and always show a ‘Fire Exit’ sign clearly. Signs you may not have come across include ‘Emergency Eye Wash’ and ‘Breathing apparatus’. These may be found in medical facilities and laboratories.

When correctly displaying relevant health and safety signs, companies and buildings are ensuring the safety of staff members and the general public. Failure to comply could potentially result in catastrophe, injury and even a fatality. On top of physical injuries, companies are open to fines, compensation and lawsuits should the correct signage not be displayed.

At Greyfield Screen Print we are experts in health and safety signs, printing only to the highest of quality. Got a question? Get in touch today.