Safety Signs

(Text as at October 1997)

There are many types of safety signs displayed around the University which now fall under Regulations which came into force on 1st April 1996 (Health and Safety (Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996).

The Regulations together with Guidance are published in a document 'Safety Signs and Signals - Guidance on Regulations' L64 which can be examined in the Department of Occupational Health and Safety.

The Regulations are quite complex but basically require the University to display appropriate safety signs to warn, instruct or both, about the nature of a risk and the measures to be taken to protect against them, when all other steps have been taken to reduce the risks. They also require the University amongst other things, to ensure that comprehensible and relevant information on measures to be taken in connection with safety signs is provided to each employee and that each employee receives suitable and sufficient instruction and training in the meaning of safety signs and the measures to be taken in connection with safety signs. There are four categories of signs highlighted in the Guidance. These are:

  • Prohibition Signs - a sign prohibiting behaviour likely to increase or cause danger (e.g. No Smoking)
  • Warning Signs - signs giving warning of a hazard or danger (e.g. Danger: Electricity)
  • Mandatory Signs - a sign prescribing specific behaviour (e.g. Eye Protection Must Be Worn)
  • Emergency Escape or First Aid Signs - a sign giving information on emergency exits, first aid or rescue facilities (e.g. Emergency Exit/Escape Route). (In this category signs complying with the earlier British Standard 5499 are still acceptable).

The prohibition sign is now red in colour, the warning signs are yellow or amber, mandatory signs are blue and emergency escape or first aid signs are green.

Purchasers of signage should ensure their providers can guarantee signage complies with these Regulations.

Further advice should be sought from the University Purchasing Manager or the Department of Occupational Health and Safety.