Warning Sign

Using a warning sign correctly could save you or your staff from an accident or injury and could also save your company from an expensive compensation claim. All workplaces should ensure that they have a relevant warning sign displayed where any risk cannot be controlled by any other means. An example of this is where a floor must be cleaned during working hours. In this case, you should clearly display a ‘Slippery floor’ sign to ensure that all people in that area are aware of that particular risk. A hazard warning sign could also display messages such as; high voltage, mind the step, slippery floor, trip hazard, and asbestos removal. The Health and Safety Excecutive defines a warning sign as - a sign giving warning of a hazard or danger. This type of sign has a triangular shape, with at least 50 per cent yellow background and a black symbol. A warning sign is different from a manditory sign - These are round and blue with white writing and pictogram. Warning signs differ from prohibition signs - These stand out because they are round and red with a diaganal line running accross the pictogram.

The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 encourages all European Union member countries to use standardised safety signs, warning signs and signals, so that safety signs, warning signs and signals, have the same meaning whatever country they are used regardless of the ‘readers’ language.

As previously mentioned, employers must display a particular relevant safety sign or a warning sign when there is a danger that can not be avoided or controlled by other means. This is to comply with The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996. If a warning sign or a safety sign would not lessen the risk to employees or members of the public then using one is not a requirement. The regulations also oblige employers to sustain any safety sign or warning sign displayed by themselves, to clarify unfamiliar safety and warning signs to their employees and explain the meaning of any signs. This policy refers to all workplaces, but excludes signs and labels used in relation with the supply of materials, products and equipment and also excludes the transport of dangerous merchandise