PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is a vital part of working on a construction site, quarry, or in a potentially hazardous area. Even though the cause of the issue and prevention, if necessary, takes priority, if there is even a slight risk of injury or damage to health on a site, workers must be informed about the importance of PPE and when to use it.  It can be easy to slip into bad habits and forget about the importance of PPE signage. However, this post can be a great opportunity to refresh your health and safety and restart on the right foot.  Particularly during the remaining cold winter months, it’s very important to provide as safe a working environment for employees as you can, meaning safety signage is essential.

 

Why Do We Need PPE Signage

PPE signage can be crucial to ensuring that workers are protected from

  • Falling objects,
  • Slips
  • and hazardous chemicals.

Signage can simply remind the necessary people to consider PPE if there is any risk to their health onsite. Not only can lack of protection equipment increase risk dramatically and potentially cause injury, but it can also create a lot of legal issues for the business owner/responsible person.

 

Examples Of PPE Signage

Below are some examples of Stocksigns’ wide range of PPE signage:

These are a great way to contain all of your PPE rules/instructions in one place. This  makes it more convenient for site users and easier to enforce safety. Site Safety Boards can include warning, hazard, prohibition and PPE signs.

This can be a great reminder to both site users and the public of the legal ramifications of not using the correct PPE and taking the necessary steps to stay safe onsite.

Sometimes, conditions or lighting onsite can be poor, meaning you’ll need a sign with its own light source. Photoluminescent material will charge in ambient light, and glow whenever visibility is poor. This keeps the sign visible at all times to maximise safety.

These can help to stop anyone entering site who is not wearing the correct PPE. Additionally they can act as a reminder for site users to check their equipment

 

Stocksigns offer a wide range of PPE signs to help you protect yourself, and others onsite. You can check out the range here. If you’d prefer to have a browse of our products, you can view the shop here.

PPE Safety

It’s no secret that any workplace, especially ones where workers are operating machinery, working at a height, and tackling extreme weather conditions, can present safety concerns. Particularly, working on a quarry can be incredibly dangerous, and potential risks need to be spotted and averted. Below are some of the most common causes of accidents within the quarry industry. It’s important to remember that awareness of potential risks can prevent injury, and save lives.

1. Slips & Trips on the Same Level

An article from HSE shows that there are three key aspects in preventing trips and slips:

  • Suitable Walkways
  • Design & Maintenance
  • Housekeeping

It’s incredibly important to identify areas of walkways which may create issues. Whether it’s loose surface, wet floor, or an obstruction, workers need to be made aware with clear and concise messages. See below the range of signs that you can use to create a safer environment for workers. For example, temporary signs can be used for rain or ice in a walkway, whereas permanent signs can be used for loose surfaces or poor lighting.

Stocksigns offer a wide range of slip hazard signs to help make workers more aware of potential danger and improve quarry safety.

2. Falls from a Height

17% of all serious injuries and fatalities in the quarry/aggregate industry occur as a result of falling from a height. There are many causes of this, but the most prominent ones are workers climbing onto loaded vehicles and inspecting silos. It is strongly recommended by MPA that clear signage is placed at the entrance to any site (and within site) to advise against climbing onto high ledges such as loaded vehicles and improve quarry safety.

Signage can also help to ensure workers are wearing appropriate clothing for working at height. Site safety signs can advise workers to wear helmets, safety footwear and even harnesses if necessary. This should help to ensure everyone onsite complies with safe practices when working in dangerous areas and minimise falls.

Stocksigns can provide a number of various site safety and height hazard signs to suit the needs of quarry workers.

To browse our range of site safety signs, visit our “Construction Site Safety Notices” section.

To browse our selection of height hazard signs, visit our “Scaffolding Signs” section.

3. Falling/moving Objects

Falling or moving objects cause 31% of the serious injuries and fatalities that occur within the quarry industry. Often this is due to workers not wearing the correct PPE such as safety helmets, or the site not having protective netting/overhead protection. Making workers aware of such risks will encourage the proper use of safety equipment, preventing major accidents in the workplace.

It’s also very important that any pedestrian areas are inaccessible if there is any risk of falling debris. Signage can be used to mark areas that shouldn’t be accessed by the general public, alongside barriers to ensure quarry safety.

To view our range of building site hazard signs, visit our “Construction Hazard Signs” section.

To view our range of PPE signs, visit our “Personal Protective Equipment Signs” section.

4. Contact with Moving Machinery

Injury caused by contact with moving machinery is often due to failure to isolate all sources of energy correctly. Risk assessments and worker education help to greatly reduce incidents onsite – as machinery operators will know the exact procedures to follow in the event of potential danger.

In dangerous situations, it is vital that workers keep calm and follow instructions to prevent further risks. Signage can help drastically with this, if areas with machinery are clearly marked, and state the procedures concisely.

Incidents within the industry have shown that a push on guidance and education can greatly improve quarry safety within all areas, with moving machinery being no exception. In fact, with machinery being one of the more complex aspects of quarry work, it’s one of the most important parts.

To view Stocksigns’ collection of machinery warning signs, visit our “Machinery Hazard Signs” section.

5. Workplace Transport

Workplace transport poses a risk to not only site workers, but also pedestrians, as every year pedestrians can be seriously injured or even killed by vehicles on a mineral products site.

The importance of correct signage on these sites is huge, to both allow the work to be done properly and prevent harm to a worker or pedestrian. Stocksigns offer a wide range of vehicular hazard signage to warn people of the potential risks both onsite and off.

A risk assessment and corresponding safety measures are simple to carry out, and yet have a great impact on site safety. A clear outline of areas where pedestrians should not enter, and hazard signs stating the potential risks are vital.

To browse our selection of safety signs for building site vehicles, visit our “Vehicle Warning Signs” section.

There are over 54,000 non-fatal injuries to construction workers each year; 25% of which are caused by slips, trips or falls on the same level and 12% are from being struck by a moving (flying/falling) object (HSE.gov). In particular, snow and ice can multiply the risks of working on a construction site. Ladders, scaffolding and entries/exits to sites can become extremely dangerous if the proper precautions aren’t taken.

Increasing awareness amongst workers of all immediate risks is a vital part of reducing the number of accidents and minimising the dangers onsite. If workers are aware of those dangers, they are more likely to take the proper precautions with their equipment and in the areas which they tread when navigating the site.

How can you make workers more aware?

Hazard and safety signage is a legal requirement on any construction site due to the nature of the equipment used and hazardous areas of work. This means the importance of ice and snow signage is rapidly growing as the weather gets colder. Whether it’s to warn workers of potential falling icicles, or black ice on walkways/roads around site, there are many reasons to ensure workers know what to look for and how to avoid falling victim to the harsh winter conditions.

Most ice-related accidents, as you might expect, occur on outdoor surfaces. This means that the roads around site are as important as the site itself when it comes to hazard signage. Car parks, driveways and walkways are among the riskiest areas of a site, where workers are travelling to and from their vehicles. However, around 8% of ice slips/falls occur indoors due to ice being tracked inside by footwear. (Bongarde.com)

Stocksigns offer a vast array of both fixed and temporary winter hazard signage, including slips, trips and falls signs, which are available to buy online or over the phone.

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Interested in using LED safety signs? Visit our sister company Messagemaker Displays.

How do photoluminescent signs work?

Photoluminescent fire sign

Photoluminescence occurs when a material absorbs photons (light energy) and then emits them back when the light source is removed i.e. in the dark, creating a noticeable lighting effect. Photoluminescent safety signs are designed to absorb photons from ambient light and then re-emit them in darkened conditions.

With a internal lifespan of up to 25 years they can also save money by not using electricity. Being maintenance free there is no need for costly regular testing regimes associated with ensuring the correct functionality of electrical signs. We have extended the use of photoluminescent material beyond fire safety signs with many other health and safety signs including hazard signs, prohibition signs, chemical safety signs, first aid signs and custom signage requirements. We have also created floor signs and tapes to aid your wayfinding during emergency evacuations.

 

 

 

Cost savings with photoluminescent signage

In addition to their cost effectiveness, eco-friendly safety signs are also more reliable than traditional exit signs due to increased visibility due to their natural ability to glow in the dark. Free from light bulbs they are the optimal signage solution in the event of emergency situations that result from structural shock falling debris. Using eco-friendly photoluminescence signs alongside your electrical fire exit signs  is a cost effective way to help a companies’ journey to ‘go green’.

 

Reduce your carbon footprint

Fire exit

Going green and being environmentally friendly is a hot topic for businesses. As well as being cost effective and functional there are additional environmental benefits of using photoluminescent signs.Many companies are committed to recycling and purchasing non-toxic supplies, but still work in buildings whose materials, electrical systems and waste systems have been in place long before being “eco” became the business buzz word of the moment and before the economic benefits of being green were truly understood. Different companies will have different factors to consider when improving their green credentials. For example, a solicitors firm will have different concerns than a construction site. Electrical fire safety signs are environmentally unfriendly due to their never-ending demand for electricity. Being lit 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, they also contribute to driving up companies’ fuel costs. Therefore by using photoluminescent signs brings both an economical and an environmental benefit. Often recognised as best practice in the UK, photoluminescent sign systems have also been adopted throughout the EU and USA.

 

How to use your photoluminescent signs

For your signs to be effective they will require initial activation from a good light source – this can be natural or artificial. Check out our video below to get the most out of your signs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMU_oxGwcbk

 

 

Whether you manage a pay & display car park, a customer, employee or visitor car park there are a number of areas you have to consider. Using our experience of working with customers we’ve pulled together some handy tips so you get it right first timeOffer_Teaser_Car_Park

1) Directions
You need to consider wayfinding in your car park under all elements including rain and darkness. Often directions on the ground can easily be missed under these circumstances as drivers have so much to concentrate on. Therefore it is important to include directional and informative signage at the height for drivers to easily see where they need to be going.

2) Disabled / parent and child bays
It is likely that you will have disabled parking and potentially parent and child parking, it is important to ensure these are clearly marked. It will help to reduce the number of drivers utilising these spaces.

3) Speed Limits

Car parks are dangerous places with pedestrians and drivers all in the same place, meaning they need to be managed appropriately. It is important to encourage drivers to drive at a safe speed, our speed limit signs are a cheaper alternative to road signs, as your car park signage doesn’t need to comply with highway specifications.

4) Advertising
Signs do not have to be just about information and penalties, they are also a great opportunity to advertise your brand. Simply including your logo on wayfinding signage is essentially free advertising. Stocksigns can adapt any of our standard signs to suit your requirements.

5) Security
In 2014 over 69,000 cars were stolen in the UK, and is a constant concern for many drivers. Even if you are not liable for the loss or damage of vehicles in your car park, you want users of your car park to feel that their vehicle is secure. Whether you have CCTV or not, CCTV and security signage can go a long way to put car park users at ease and deter criminals.

6) Car Park Information
It is a legal requirement to display your opening times and charges, our team of experts can advise on these bespoke signs.While not legally required it’s important to ensure that your car park’s entrance is easily identifiable so you don’t miss out on revenue.

Hopefully our 6 points will help you to audit or plan your car park, if you do have any questions about your signage requirements call our team of
experts on 01737 774 072.

To help you keep your car park safe we’re offering 20% off the list price of all standard traffic signs until 22nd July 2016. to take advantage of this special offer quote BLOG625

Lauren Sutton,
Sales Assistant Manager

Terms & conditions: Use code BLOG625 at the online checkout or over the phone. Discounts only available on list price standard items within out traffic and car parks range until 22nd July 2016. not valid in conjunction with any other offer and only valid once.

Our customers frequently ask us what information they need to give when  looking into their signage needs. To help we have put together an infographic showing all of the considerations to take into account when placing your order.

If you require any assistance or would like some advice please call a member of our experiences sales team on 01737 772072 or send us an email.

Every non domestic premise in the UK is governed by safety legislation and as such will have a need for safety signs. Safety signage is a cost effective and efficient way to warn and educate people to the particular risks associated with a building. While there are some signs, such as fire signs, which will be common to all buildings, there are many others which will only be relevant in certain situations. The way to determine the signs needed should be by way of a full risk assessment and perhaps a sign site survey.

Below we have put together our top 10 list of the typical signs likely to be found in businesses and public buildings, but please bear in mind that every building has different requirements and signage should be judged on individual risk assessments.

1. UK Health and Safety Law Poster

For anyone employed, the UK Health and Safety Law Poster must be provided to each worker as a copy of the approved leaflet or equivalent pocket card. The poster must be displayed in a location where it’s visible to workers. On the design of the poster, British health and safety laws are outlined with a list telling workers what employers must do, what employee’s must do and instructions on what to do if there’s a problem.

Health and safety law poster

2. Fire Action Notices 

The Fire Action Notice is to make sure that anyone who is situated in a building has enough information to know what to do if a fire emerges or if they need to evacuate the building. Information that’s typically on these signs include: 

  • The fire services phone number
  • The exit use to leave the building
  • Assembly point locations
  • Further instructions specific to the building 

There are several Fire Action Signs, so it’s necessary to choose the one that is relevant to your premises. If you are responsible for a commercial premises, you must display a Fire Action Notice. It’s best practice to display one next to each Fire Alarm call-point and every final exit door.

Fire action notice

3. Fire Exit and Emergency Escape Signs 

Fire Exit Signs, also known as Fire Escape Signs or an Emergency Exit Sign, direct people in the right direction to exit a building as quickly and safely as possible. These play a key role if a fire was to break out and are a requirement under the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 (HSR) and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005 (RFSO).

Fire exit sign with arrow pointing up

4. Fire Equipment Signs 

Fire Equipment Signs contain a description for the type of fire extinguisher that’s available and it’s uses. These can be found in different colours, with the most common being red and green. The sign also details what the fire extinguisher can/cannot be used for. This is provide better safety and reduce inappropriate usage. It’s a legal requirement to make sure all fire equipment is easy to access, easy to use with the right instructions in place.

Foam fire extinguisher sign

5. First Aid Signs 

First Aid Signs are necessary to locate and instruct people where first aid equipment is in a building. They sometimes offer further instructions, such as who the first-aider is and instructions for people with disabilities. It’s a legal requirement that anyone responsible for a premises has enough first aid in place to ensure that people are as safe as possible. These signs and procedures should conform to BS 5499.

Your first aiders are here sign

6. No Smoking Signs 

No Smoking Signs are there to inform people that smoking is not permitted because it may pose a fire risk or potential hazard. These signs are a mandatory instruction, meaning that they should be followed at all times. No smoking signs are located in areas where fire risks are identified, so it’s necessary to install prohibition signs to ensure that safety measures are in place. July 2007 saw a total smoking ban in all enclosed public places, work places and certain vehicles in the UK. The smoke free legislation means it is an offence not to display the appropriate No Smoking Signs, resulting in fines up to £1000.

This is a no smoking area sign

7. Slip, trip & fall signs 

Slip, Trip & Fall signs are a legal requirement anywhere a slippery area is not cordoned off. These signs are to help workers and visitors stay safe and reduce the chances of accidents.  Most premises will have routine cleaning operations which may leave areas vulnerable, which is why these signs are essential to have in place. Lightweight stands holding double-sided signs are readily available.

Danger slippery surface sign

8. Obstacle or Dangerous Location Signs 

Most buildings will have localized hazards, the most common of which are trip hazards and low-hanging obstacles. These signs need to be put in place to advise people to be more cautious when in these areas. Trips are the most common cause of injury, which could be avoIded with a ’Mind The Step’ sign.

Mind the step sign

9. Hazardous Substance Signs 

Many workplaces involve some form of contact with hazardous substances, such as painting, hair and beauty salons and medical professions. The types of risks for each industry varies, but it’s important to understand every hazard symbol and the dangerous related to the substances. There are nine hazard symbols commonly used, which are explosive, flammable, oxidising, corrosive, acute toxicity, hazardous to the environment, health hazard, serious health hazard and gas under pressure. So if you’re responsible for a workplace that deals with substances, it’s a legal requirement that you complete regular risk assessments and ensure that the correct signage is in place.

Corrosive substance sign

10. Catering Signs 

Most premises have kitchen or catering facilities. So it’s important to have the appropriate signage in place to minimise risks for burns and also hygiene and food safety. If your workplace prepares and serves food, you need to ensure compliance with The Food Standards Agency (FSA) by having the appropriate signage in place. So whether you have a small kitchen for your staff, or a large, well equipped kitchen for your restaurant, we have your signage covered.

First aid for burns poster

Well the New Year is here, and it’s time to burn off that extra mince pie, so what better way to do that than by giving your premises a safety once over this week. So here is a timely reminder of why you should give your facilities a safety sign MOT.

Time for a safety signs MOT?

As the New Year comes upon us our thoughts often turn to personal improvements we intend to make over the coming year, but one much over looked resolution is the implementation of a regular safety sign audit.

Julian Rowlandson, Director at Stocksigns explains: “If you own a car it is most probable that you obtain and MOT and carry out a routine service to keep your vehicle fully functional and compliant. But few companies, despite their legal obligations to do so, regularly revisit their fire and other mandatory signage. How often does one hear of tragedy caused by fire exit routes not being clear and available for use? Often these oversights maybe associated with changes within business operations and a failure to update signs and safe routes of escape to embrace these operational changes.”

Failing to update your signage as your business changes, could lead to extensive fines or have more serious consequences including prison sentences, personal injuries or even loss of life. These simple inexpensive precautions could help protect your business, staff and visitors.

Read our “Safety Signs Audit” article to learn how to walk your premises and carry our a safety sign audit (you may even burn some calories too)

One of the most common mistakes we see with the positioning of fire exit signs is the sign above a doorway. The sign that should be used in most instances should be the arrow up, indicating progress forward from here (indicating direction of travel), and in the case of above a door means, progress forward and through from here.

However we commonly see the incorrect fire exit sign with down arrow. While this wrong sign is unlikely to cause too much confusion as to which way someone should go it is technically incorrect. The down arrow fire exit sign means progress down from here, and technically would only be positioned above a door if there was a change of level downwards immediately after the door way.

We do however appreciate that it can be quite confusing, find out more about where to position your fire exit signs here or call us for more advice on 01737 77 40 72

Fire Exit Signs form one of the most important parts of your emergency escape plan, they are used to correctly mark the most efficient escape routes. Careful positioning of the relevant fire exit signs, will assist evacuation in times of emergency. Every building will have it’s own unique layout and seeking advice from experts is always advantages when planning your escape routes. However there are certain common building layouts, that occur time and again and knowing which fire exit signs to place where can save lives.

In this post we cover some of the most common examples

Where should fire door signs be fitted on a door?

Fire door signs should be fitted on doors that are relatively close to eye level, so make sure that they’re as visible as possible. Most signs are fitted at around 1.5m in height, which is most visible for most people.

What height should fire exit signs be?

Fire Exit Signs inshould installed at a suitable height and in a position appropriate to the line of sight, taking account of any obstacles and in a visible location. When mounting the signs, the general requirements are: 

  • Signs mounted above doors should be between 2.0m – 2.5m above the floor.
  • Signs mounted on walls should be mounted between 1.7m and 2.0m above the floor

Do fire doors need signs on both sides?

It’s a requirement for fire doors to feature a ‘’Fire Door Keep Shut’’ sign on both sides of a single door. If using double doors, both doors require signs on both sides.

Fire Exit Signs On Stairs

Option 1: progress down to the right as viewed from in front of the sign. Sign sited on wall of half landing.

Option 2: progress down from here as viewed from in front of the sign. Sign can be suspended from the ceiling or could be mounted on the wall above the stair head.

Fire Exit Signs in Corridors and Building final Exits

Option 1: progress forward and through from here as viewed from in front of the sign positioned above door.

Option 2: progress to the left/right from here. Suspended at change of direction.

Option 3: progress forward and through from here as viewed from in front of the sign. Positioned above the door. Note: Outside the final exit (labelled 3) if the door can be obstructed a ‘Fire Exit Keep Clear‘ sign is needed on the outside of the door. This could be enhanced with the use of bollards or yellow hatching. If the door is the last door before exiting the building you may have a sign that reads ‘fire exit’ without the need for an arrow.

Fire Exit Signs Above doors

Option 1: progress forward and through from here as viewed from in front of the sign. Positioned above the door.

A common mistake here is to have a fire exit sign with the arrow pointing down, which means progress down from here, and technically would only be positioned above a door if there was a change of level downwards immediately after the door way.

Option 2: progress down to the left from here as viewed from in front of the sign. Positioned on the landing.

If you are still unsure of of where to position your fire exit signs please give us a call on 01737 77 40 72 to speak to one of our advisors or to arrange a site survey.

Fire action notices can contain several texts which are in common use but may not be appropriate for all circumstances but there are certain messages that should be included. There are four significant areas that need to be addressed.

1.       Raising the Alarm.

This should advise of the most appropriate method of action whether this be by operating the nearest fire alarm call point, calling 999, verbally or by any other alarm procedure used in there evacuation procedure.

2.      Fire Brigade.

The fire brigade is often called automatically through the alarm system, however it may be necessary to call the fire brigade manually. Your Fire Action notice may also give additional information which you would be required to pass on to the operator, such as telephone number and exact location details.

3.       Assembly Point

A blank space is provided for details of the nearest assembly point. An assembly point is usually a static safe area marked with the appropriate signage. For premises that have no clear area to use as a regular assembly point mobile extendable fire assembly point signs can be used to guide occupants to the designated safe area.

4.       Additional Instruction

It is customary to include further instructions such as “do not stop to collect personal belongings” or “ do not return to the building for any reason until authorised to do so”.

More specific information can be included for example there can be precise instructions in buildings which have lifts, or for houses that have multiple occupancy.

Where should you display your fire action notices?

Best practice suggests fire action notices should be displayed next to every fire alarm call point and next to the final fire exits. This gives the relevant information at a glance to the person raising the alarm and any further action that maybe required.

There are two distinct styles of fire action notice, one the traditional blue and red sign with written instructions and the other incorporating graphic symbols in line with BS EN ISO 7010. Both of which meet current legislation however the graphic symbol version is growing in popularity due to the effectiveness of relaying information quickly through symbols which would be critical in an evacuation situation.

Please read our post “Where to Position Fire Signs” for more information and advice on where to display fire safety signs for maximum visibility.

The summer months and the holiday season are the ideal time to carry out a signage audit. Your business premises may be quieter, as staff jet off on their well earned breaks, often leaving car parks and buildings temporarily easier to access. Use this time and the increased access to assess your company signage, making sure signs are present, in good condition and correct to the latest legislation.

Also the summer can be a time when there maybe a need to increase security to your grounds or buildings. Building sites and disused quarries can seem attractive places to play, potentially with tragic consequences, so ensuring your boundary safety signs are all in place becomes critical.

Taking Stock of your Safety Signs

Take time to walk around your premises, it may take a couple of trips round if you have a large or complicated building layout. Note all your existing fire and safety signs. Do you have all the necessary signs covered by legislation? Through the course of the year things happen to your building, were signs replaced after that wall got repainted? Were your signs covered up when you had the last office move round? This photograph illustrates a common example. The fire alarm call points in this hotel were relocated during a refit. Unfortunately the sign has not been updated and the fire action notice now marks just a redundant blanking plate. On the flip side, you guessed it, the alarm call points were relocated but they have failed to install the correct fire equipment signage to mark its new location. Many people find that their fire signage is often in the wrong place, check your emergency escape signage is being displayed properly. If you are not sure whether you are completely covered legally get a site survey done to give you peace of mind.

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, updating to the most recent standard.This photo shows a BS 5499 fire exit sign directly mounted next to a sign with symbols from the EEC directive 92/58, which could lead to confusion.

Care of your safety Signs

Safety signs over time can become dirty or damaged and several environmental factors can effect your signs. Signs in areas of high traffic can become dirty quickly. Make sure all signs are clean and clear and can be easily read, and cleaned where needed. If they are illegible and beyond cleaning replace where necessary.

For more information about safety signs or any other signage query please contact our sales team at sales@stocksigns.co.uk

A Guide to COSHH – A Guest post from RoSPA

If you’ve ever had any dealings with any aspect of Health and Safety, the chances are you’ve come across the acronym COSHH or one of the COSHH symbols. However, you may still be uncertain about what COSHH actually stands or what the symbols mean. Don’t worry though, help is at hand with our informative short guide to COSHH.

What does COSSH stand for?

COSHH stands for ‘Control of Substances Hazardous to Health’ and under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, employers need to either prevent or reduce their workers’ exposure to substances that are hazardous to their health.

What are ‘substances hazardous to health?’

Broadly speaking, substances hazardous to health include any substances that could cause harm to employees, contractors and other people. These hazardous substances can come in many different forms, including:

  • Chemicals
  • Fumes
  • Dusts
  • Vapours
  • Mists
  • Nanotechnology
  • Gases
  • Asphyxiating gases
  • Biological agents

What do the COSHH symbols stand for?

The COSHH symbols are a set of international symbols that allow you to understand the different hazards within your organisation. They have been in use since 1967, with each symbol representing a different type of hazard. In 2009 the symbols were updated to reflect the international nature of hazardous substances.

COSHH Training

COSHH training is designed to safeguard your employees, teaching them to to identify, measure and control the exposure to harmful substances. A COSHH training course should provide you with:

  • An understanding of how and which substances can harm health
  • Knowledge and definitions of exposure limits
  • Skills to understand exposure and to conduct risk assessments
  • A greater understanding of practical control measures and safe systems of work

Where can I find out more?

The HSE has a free downloadable guide called ‘Working with substances hazardous to health’ – which is a brief overview of COSHH.

The RoSPA Workplace Safety Blog also contains further information on COSHH, as well as other useful posts on all matters relating to occupational health and safety.

Insurance website confused.com have recently published the results of a road signs survey to test the nation’s understanding of road safety signs.

The research should some startling results;

An astonishing 93 per cent failed to recognise the traffic signs for “no vehicles except bikes being pushed”.

Meanwhile 83 per cent were unclear on the meaning of the common “Urban Clearway” sign, and 67 per cent were bamboozled by the “no waiting” sign.

Top five confusing road signs

Confused.com polled 2,000 people on which road signs they found the most confusing and the following five were voted the most perplexing.

Read more: http://www.confused.com/car-insurance/articles/brits-bamboozled-confused-by-road-signs#ixzz2MCVXuguD

With the wintry weather set to continue for a few weeks yet, it’s time to take extra safety precautions. The councils do their best to grit and salt our roads, to protect road users as best they can. But what happens at the travellers’ destinations? Many road users are on their way to work and schools, where they encounter private roads, driveways and car parks, all outside the councils jurisdiction. It is here in these close to home places where most accidents occur and quite often these are the same places that do not get the safety treatment they deserve.

Don’t let your premises, car park or pathways add to this winter’s accident statistics. Clear car parks and pathways of ice and snow, and regularly grit with salt to stop them re-freezing. When clearing snow ensure you have the right tools. A Snow pusher is lightweight and has a bi-directional blade making clearing of large areas quick and efficient. Products such as Ice Melt will clear icy patches quickly, with no damage to carpets, floors or plants.

Once staff and visitors are inside your premises the hazard doesn’t stop, floors in receptions, entry points and non carpeted corridors become slippery even with relatively low footfall levels. Make sure these trouble spots are regularly mopped, adequate door matting is available and a suitable “slippery surface sign” is used to warn people of the potential dangers.

Winter Hazard Zones Check List

  • Grit all car parks.
  • Ensure all external paths are cleared and regularly gritted.
  • Areas with high footfall such as entrances and smoking shelters, need extra attention.
  • Hall ways, entrance lobbies and receptions will become wet and slippery, ensure areas are mopped regularly and “slips, trips and falls signs” are displayed.
  • Check stocks of salt and grit.
  • Install speed limit signs in large car parks and driveways.

Stocksigns has created a Pinterest page to help bring together some of the links to the industries best safety signs and general signage resources.

As we both publish our own signage information, and find the latest innovations and technologies within the industry, we will aggregate them together in our new page. Be sure to visit regularly or add it to your favourites to keep all your signage resources in one place. Also please send any signage information and resources that you would lik to be added to the page. You can contact me directly on jgodden@stocksigns.co.uk

Over the centuries Braille has had an enormous effect on the lives of millions of people across 120 countries worldwide. It is not a language but a code by which all languages may be written and read. The ability to read and write in Braille opens the door to literacy, intellectual freedom, equal opportunity, and personal security. It is an extremely important gateway to opportunity for the UK’s blind or partially sighted people, enabling them to be more independent.

Tactual from Stocksigns

The Stocksigns Braille signs range – Tactual – fully comply with Technical Bulletin 24 of the joint Mobility Unit. The JMU is a service provided by the RNIB and the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. Tactual signs may be manufactured to suit individual needs including a range of text options, panel colours and layouts. We can advise you on your own legal obligations and ensure that your workplace is complying with the appropriate regulations. Braille can be incorporated into your corporate signage to extend the audience range and the reach of your signs. It can be included in information and tourist interpretation boards to extend their accessibility and contact points, such as emergency assistance points, with Braille offer help to vulnerable members of the public.

Stocksigns only supply Braille signs that we manufacture ourselves. As a result not only can we be sure that they are of the highest quality but also that we have the technology and expertise to manufacture any custom made sign with Braille to our own specification. We manufacture both Braille Safety signs and Braille Information signs in standard designs, as well as being able to add Braille to custom-made signs.

We also offer other types of disability signs, including disabled parking signs, accessible toilet signage and induction loop notices for the hard of hearing.

While safety signs may not have been at the top of your Christmas list, this time of year is the perfect time to carry out a signage audit of your premises. The beginning of year is always associated with fresh starts, out with the old and in with the new. We often get renewed energy which gives us the impetus to start new projects or clear the decks in anticipation of what January will bring.

Taking Stock of your Safety Signs

Take time to walk round your premises, it may take a couple of trips round if you have a large or complicated building layout. Note all your existing fire signs and safety signs. Do you have all the necessary signs covered by legislation? Through the course of the year things happen to your building, were signs replaced after that wall got repainted? were your signs covered up when you had the last office move round? Many people find that their fire signage is often in the wrong place, check your emergency escape signage is being displayed properly. If you are not sure whether you are completely covered legally get a site survey done to give you peace of mind. While it isn’t yet a requirement to change all your existing safety signs to the new ISO7010 versions make sure any missing or damaged signs are replaced with the new updated symbols.

Care of your safety Signs

Safety signs over time can become dirty or damaged several environmental factors can effect your signs. Signs in areas of high traffic can become dirty quickly. Make sure all signs are clean and clear and be easily read, cleaning where needed. If they are illegible and beyond cleaning replace where necessary.

Signage Clutter

Have you got too many safety signs? are the messages you are giving out confusing? If it is a high hazard area consider replacing a number of your signs with single multi message signs. Having your safety information in one place will not only look smarter but will help reduce sign blindness- where people are so used to seeing the same signs day in day out they in fact cease to register seeing the signs at all.

For more information about safety signs or any other signage query please contact our sales team sales@stocksigns.co.uk  and don’t forget to order your new 2013 catalogue.

This article was first published in December 2011.

What size signs should I use? – Viewing Distances For Signs

We are often asked by customers what size sign they should be using, particularly with regard to safety signs. The truth is there is no hard and fast rule for size of sign and viewing distances. Currently there is no legislation covering this aspect of safety signs and symbols, and common sense has to be used to make a judgement. The viewing distance for signs is dependant on many factors.

  • Ambient Light Conditions
  • Obstructions
  • Height of the sign
  • The colours of the sign design
  • The style and size of the fonts used

However to help in choosing the right signs and make more of an informed decision, the following illustrations will serve as a guide. If you would still like some assistance call our sales team on 01737 77 40 72, or alternatively a site survey of your premises by one of our team, can give you peace of mind, ensuring you have the right signs for your building.

Cycle safety signs from Stocksigns. Every year 15,000 cyclists are killed or injured on our roads. The most common accident is the motorist turning into the path of cyclists. This is an issue that has been taken very seriously by freight operating companies and safety campaigners alike. Working with some major aggregate companies, Stocksigns has developed vehicle mounted warning cycle safety signs directed at cyclists and warning them of the danger of undertaking lorries, particularly at traffic lights.

Cycle Safety Signs

Stocksigns has a huge range of safety signs for cyclists and are working closely with FORS to help improve safety on the roads in the Capital. RoSPA have produced this short educational film highlighting the dangers faced by pedal cyclists, especially in relation to lorries on the road.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL-1dKJX2BY&list=UUYefE0V7eotTm48YiuliAxw&index=3&feature=plcp

Six-times winner of the prestigious Gold award for Occupational Health and Safety from RoSPA, the Pitsea site took the decision to install the new LED signs as a means of delivering heightened safety awareness through a permanent visual reminder that is regularly refreshed to capture and retain people’s attention.

The Pitsea landfill site has been operating for the last 100 years, during which time the local population has greatly expanded.  Currently, the Pitsea site now handles anywhere up to 800,000 tonnes of waste per annum and employs around 50 staff, who are engaged in a number of operations, from composting and landfill gas treatment to energy generation.

Pole mounted with acrylic vinyl lettering and branded with the company’s logo, the 1200 mm square signs offer a positive first impression with clear visibility across the site.  A series of bright red LED displays, readable from distances of up to 40 metres, convey key information to site personnel.

In addition to displaying the current date and time, a four-digit data window displays up to date information on the site’s safety record, expressed as elapsed time since the last logged incident (LTA). A scrolling text window running along the whole width of the sign allows key safety messages to be displayed.  Used to draw the attention of site workers and visitors to different types of risk – from the presence of reversing vehicles to a reminder to wear hard hats – these displays can be updated remotely at any time from the main site office via a remote wireless link, using the software provided with the system.

Following the success of the LED signs at Pitsea, the company is now considering rolling out the technology to other sites across the UK.

Shaun Taylor, landfill and recycling manager at Pitsea for Veolia Environmental Services said: “Both as a company and here on site we take safety seriously and we are proud of our award-winning track record.  The brightness and readability of the new LED signs attracts attention, even at a distance.  The constantly changing messaging keeps people’s attention as well as enabling us to draw their attention to a whole range of safety issues, all equally important in protecting staff and visitors.”

Stocksigns is delighted to publish their new edition of the School Signs Catalogue. Available on-line, it boasts the most comprehensive range of safety signs for schools, along with “easy order” sign guides for the most commonly required custom-made signs for schools.

An ideal school reference guide for Head Teachers, Bursars, Local Authorities and Contractors. For more information or advice on our School signs ranges, view our online safety signs catalogue or call our Sales Team on 01737 77 40 72.