SAFETY SIGNS

SAFETY SIGNS

Hello there, this is Goke Akingbade( your safety guide) here again to update you on health and safety issues. Today we will be discussing about safety signs.In the Health and Safety profession, we deal with the use of a lot of signs.A safety sign is defined as a sign providing information or instruction by means of a notice, sign board or colour used to create awareness about safety. Safety signs fall into four groups, namely: (1) Mandatory signs. (2) Prohibitory signs. (3) Hazard or Warning sign. (4) Safety information sign(Emergency Exit and First Aid). So let’s go through them one by one.                            

(1) MANDATORY SIGN: This is a sign providing information about specific behaviour or action which must be complied with (‘e.g hard hat must be worn or safety boots must be worn’).                               THE FEATURES OF MANDATORY SIGNS (a) Round shape. (b) A white pictogram on a blue background(with the blue part taking up atleast 50% of the area of the sign).                                          

(2) PROHIBITORY SIGN: This is a sign prohibiting behaviour that is likely to cause or increase danger(‘ e.g no smoking sign, No access to unauthorized persons’)                                                                     THE FEATURES OF PROHIBITORY SIGNS (a) Round shape. (b) Black pictogram on a white background. (c) Diagonal line. (d) Red edging (with the red part taking up atleast 35 % of the area of the sign).

(3) HAZARD OR WARNING SIGN: This is a sign providing warning of a hazard or danger. (e.g Danger, Beware of Electricity, Highly flammable signage at the back of a petrol tanker truck).                                                                                                                                                       THE FEATURES OF A WARNING SIGN (a) Triangular shape. (b) Black pictogram on yellow background with black edging (e.g with the yellow part taking up atleast 50 % of the area of the sign).

(4) EMERGENCY ESCAPE OR FIRST AID SIGN: This is a sign providing information on emergency exits, first aid or rescue facilities( ‘e.g emergency exit’).                                                                              THE FEATURES OF SAFETY INFORMATION SIGNS (a) Square or rectangular shape. (b) White pictogram on a green background( with the green part taking up atleast 50% of the area of the sign). Pictoral samples of the different classes of safety signs can be seen online on the internet. So until I come your way again, it is Goke Akingbade wishing you a great week ahead, and by the way Happy Valentine’s day in advance.





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