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Office Workplace Safety Signs

04.10.2009 · Posted in Business News Article

Instructions and signs have now become very part of modern work life when it comes to keeping employees safe. As we all become more aware of the importance of health and safety matters so the number of workplace safety signs has been increasing. By employees knowing what these signs means will help to reduce the number of accidents or emergencies that take place at work in the future.nnNowadays there are a number of different workplace safety signs which are required by law for employers to display. However, there are plenty more where it is up to the employer whether they choose to display them or not especially if they feel that they may not be beneficial in reducing the risk of an accident or emergency taking place. But in most cases employers will tend to display as many safety signs as they can, in order not just to protect their employees but also themselves.[I:0:T]nnWhat are the legal requirements for businesses today in the UK when it comes to workplace safety signs? The legal requirements that businesses in the UK need to meet were brought in to force in April 1996 and were designed to help bring ours into line with the health and safety rules as set out for the European Union.nnThe regulations were designed to help convey various messages with regards to health and safety matters. If unsure an employer should read through a copy of the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 in order to know exactly what safety signs they must display for their employees and visitors in their business premises.nnAs well as employers making sure that the right kinds of workplace safety signs are being displayed training must be provided to the employees regarding them. As well as providing employees with an explanation as to what the signs mean they must train them in what needs to be done when they see these signs. Plus any signs that are installed an employer is also legally required to maintain them.nnWhat types of safety signs should employers now be displaying to their employees in the workplace?nn1. Signs where there is a risk to others which cannot be avoided or be controlled using other safety measures.nn2. An employer must display safety signs in the workplace where traffic is moving within it.nn3. Employers should install signs in places where dangerous substances are used or where they are being transported through pipe work in the workplace.nn4. Plus safety signs must clearly be displayed to denote where dangerous substances are being stored.nn5. Finally all employers should have workplace safety signs installed with clearly denote fire exits and the procedures that must be taken when a fire breaks out.nnNo matter what size business you have as well as displaying the relevant workplace safety signs you will also need to display a copy of the Health and Safety Executive’s Health and Safety Law Poster. If you choose not to display such signage and are found out you could be faced with a large fine. If you are at all unsure as to which signage you should be displaying when it comes to workplace safety signs then contact your local Health and Safety Officer who will be situated at your local authority offices.

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