One of the major legislative changes affecting the workplace in recent times is the adoption of BS EN ISO7010. While it isn’t yet a requirement to change all your existing safety signs to the new ISO 7010 versions, the advice is not to mix signage from different legislative standards. Best practice recommends, if changes or additions are needed, update your signs to the most recent standard. However it is always good to include safety signs in your general safety audit and incorporate them as part of your continuous improvement plan with a view to bringing them up to date as soon as possible. In fact The Health and Safety Sign Association offer the following advice regarding conformance to BS EN ISO 7010 and compliance to the Health and Safety (Signs and Signals) Regulations.

“The new changes required to conform to BS EN ISO 7010 have been adopted specifically to ensure improved intuitive comprehension of the safety message.

The legislation requires that a formal risk assessment be carried out and this will determine the need for safety signs to locate and identify lifesaving equipment, escape routes and first aid equipment.

The Health and Safety Sign Association recommend that an audit and review should be carried out to determine the residual risk associated with using a safety sign of poor non-conforming design. It is a recommendation that a plan is drawn up for their replacement. This plan will prioritise the replacement of those signs that are poorly designed and that comprehension credential have not been proven under BS ISO 9186.”

If you are unsure of your safety sign obligations contact a reputable signage company, they will be able to offer you up to date advice and may also be able to provide you a full site survey.