Safety signs can be vital in preventing injury but are the signs we use compliant? Signs should only put in place if all other methods of reducing the risk have not been effective and a substantial risk still exists. Signs must be fit for purpose, in a visible location and relevant to the hazard it is identifying.

Signs should not contain text. Signs containing text in place before the 1st of November 2007 must be replaced before the 1st of January 2011.Employers must train employee’s on the meaning of the signs and the hazards they denote in a means and language they understand.

Signs can be everything from information sign to a hand signal and are strictly regulated by the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007.

Under these regulations the different types of signs include:

• Acoustic signal: means a coded sound signal which is released and transmitted by a device designed for that purpose, without the use of a human or artificial voice. E.g. Siren on a machine
• Emergency escape or first-aid sign: means a sign giving information on emergency exits or first-aid or rescue facilities.
• Hand signal means a movement, position, or both, of the arm, hands, or both, in coded form, for guiding persons who are carrying out manoeuvers which constitute a hazard or danger for persons at work. E.g. Guiding a reserving truck
• Illuminated sign: means a sign produced by a device made of transparent or translucent materials which are illuminated from the inside or the rear in such a way as to give the appearance of a luminous surface;
• Information sign means a sign providing information other than that referred to in prohibition, warning, mandatory or emergency escape or first-aid signs;
• Mandatory sign means a sign requiring specific behaviour;
• Prohibition sign means a sign prohibiting behaviour likely to incur or cause danger;
• Safety colour: means a colour to which a specific meaning is assigned;
• Safety or Health signs means signs referring to a specific object, activity or situation and providing information or instructions about safety, health, or both, at work by means of a signboard, a colour, an illuminated sign, an acoustic signal, a verbal communication or a hand signal;
• Supplementary signboard means a signboard used together with one of the signs covered by the definition of “signboard” and which gives supplementary information, including, where appropriate, information in writing;
• Signboard means a sign which provides specific information or instructions by a combination of a geometric shape, colours and a symbol or pictogram, without written words, which is rendered visible by lighting of sufficient intensity
• Warning sign means a sign giving warning of a hazard or risk.

Shapes of Signs

The shape of signs denote the type of hazard they are trying to outline

A Disc shape signs indicates a prohibition and instruction sign.

A Triangle shape sign are warning signs.

A Square or Rectangle shaped signs for emergency and informative signs.

Colours

As well as the shape of the signs, the colour also play a major part in the meaning of Safety Signs

	Blue is used to indicate a mandatory requirement such as PPE it can also be used as an information sign.
	Red signs indicate fire fighting equipment, alarms and emergency stopping devices and for probations.
	Yellow or Amber state caution is required.
	Green is for positive actions such as emergency exists, first aid, etc.