Health and Safety Signs play a very important role in every construction site. Please read this blog to understand the importance of Health and Safety Signs for a construction site.
Health and Safety messages are delivered through safety signs on every construction site. This is not only required to comply with construction regulations, but also to make sure that every site staff is well taken care of, and project site aims to maintain zero accident record throughout the duration of construction.
What are those Health and Safety Signs?
It is very important for site staff to understand the meaning of each and every health and safety sign. Every sign carries an important message, they are not placed for the sake formalities. If a site staff fails to recognise a sign, it could lead to a serious disaster on-site.
All health and safety signs are supposed to comply with the Health and Safety Regulations of that country. Site staff are trained to understand those signs thoroughly and they must possess the required qualification to work on site.
Type of Health and Safety Signs
There are five key types Health and Safety Signs used on Construction Sites:
- Warning Signs
- Mandatory Signs
- Prohibition Signs
- Safe Condition Signs
- Fire Equipment Signs
Warning Signs:
Warning signs are provided to alert site staff and members of the public regarding the possible threats and minimise the risk of an accident. The shapes of Warning signs are generally triangular and comes with a yellow colour plate.
Following are the few examples where warning signs are provided:
- Presence of Asbestos on Site.
- When high voltage overhead cable network is passing above the construction zone.
- Presence of Highly Inflammable Gases within the construction zone.
- Presence of harmful chemicals.
- Wet Floor
Mandatory Signs:
Mandatory Signs are placed to convey the information that is a compulsory requirement. Mandatory signs inform site staff as well as the normal public to follow mandatory instructions to stay safe within the site compound and associated areas.
Mandatory signs come with a blue colour circular shape and on top of that white colour pictorial symbols are placed to convey the mandatory messages. A combination of contrast colour (blue and white) assist all users to see the information clearly. For example, wear appropriate PPE or keep fire exit clear from obstruction, etc.
Following are the few examples where mandatory signs are placed:
- A Hard hat should be worn all time onsite.
- High Vis PPE should be worn all time onsite.
- Wear Glasses, Gloves and ear protector
- Safety harness should be worn.
Prohibition Signs:
Prohibition Signs are provided to clearly inform what actions are forbidden and who is forbidden. Prohibition signs are shown in a circular panel with black symbols. Prohibition sign informs users that what action must be avoided such as “no smoking” or “no entry”. The colour of the prohibition sign printed in a Red Circle with a cross-line passing over the black symbol.
Following are the few examples where Prohibition signs are placed:
- No entry to a particular section or site
- Speed limit sign within the site compound and or parking zone
- No smoking signs
- No parking signs if parking is not provided within the site compound
Safe Condition Signs:
Safe Condition Signs provide the information of the location of a safe place, location of safe evacuation route, location of safety kit or first aid kit, etc. These signs play a very important role in case of any emergency, that’s why it’s essential to place in right and clearly visible locations.
Safe Condition Signs normally come in a green colour square panel where text and symbols are written in white colour.
Following are the few examples where Safe Condition Signs are placed:
- Fire Exit
- Fire Assembly Meeting Point
- Push Bar to Open the gate
- Safety Kit or First-aid Kit location
- AED
- First Aid Box
- Emergency shower
Fire Equipment Signs:
Fire equipment signs provide the information and direction to fire equipment’s location. Fire equipment signs come with a red colour rectangular panel with text and symbols in white colour.
Following are the few examples where Fire Equipment Signs are placed:
- Fire Hydrant Sign
- Fire Extinguisher Sign
- Fire Alarm Sign
- Fire Blanket Sign
How Safety Signs are categorised with Colour of the Sign Panels?
Red Colour Circular Panel:
The red colour panel simply represents prohibition, means an activity that must stop.
Yellow Colour Panel:
The yellow colour panel is used to warn the users regarding a possible danger or threat.
Blue Colour Panel:
Blue Colour Panel is provided to inform user for certain mandatory activities for example wearing PPE or Hard Hats, etc.
Green Colour Panel:
Green Colour Panel is provided to inform users regarding the safe conditions such as “safe evacuation route” or “first aid kit location”, etc
Red Colour Rectangular Panel:
Red Colour Rectangular Panel is used to inform users about fire equipment location.
Hope this blog helps you to understand the importance of health and safety signs at the construction site. Whether a site staff or member of the public, it is very important for them to know the meaning and details of these signs to safely perform their duties adequately. Please feel free to like, comment and share it.
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