Reducing the Risks of Accidents and Hazards: The Use of Warning Signs

It is clearly important to install a warning sign when there is a hazard or the risk of an accident. But just as crucial is the type of sign, the control of its use, the interpretation of the warning, and signage maintenance.

Types of sign

Auditory

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An auditory warning should be in the form of an alarm that is heard clearly by all those likely to be in a position of danger. It also needs to be understood.

An alarm's key features should therefore

be at least 10 dB(A) above any background noise;
have a frequency of less than 1 kHz if its source must be found;
have dissimilar sounds for different functions;
be adjusted so as not to trigger other alarms that perform separate duties; and
not obstruct other communication (such as emergency announcements).

All people affected by the alarm should also know exactly what to do when it sounds - and have sufficient time to take action.

Verbal auditory

A verbal auditory alarm is a useful addition to visual warnings when the latter might be misunderstood, or not even read, in a congested environment.

Visual

Visual warning signs must be understood immediately. To achieve this, the signs must be

suitable for the hazard and the surroundings (for example, heat and chemical resistant, and safely positioned);
easily seen by everyone;
well-lit;
an appropriate size;
designed to meet the reader's understanding (in other words, symbols must not cause confusion);
short and to the point;
written in a sans-serif type; and
in lower case text if more than two words long.

Signs must also provide symbols understandable by illiterate or dyslexic employees and those whose first language is not English.

Management systems

Al buildings and sites with employees must have a management system for warning signs that accounts for all of the potential and actual dangers. The system should also ensure that if anyone ignores a sign, the reasons are understood and dealt with.

Risk assessments

The use of warning signs must be linked to risk assessments. A risk assessor should always keep an eye open for hazards that require appropriate signs and also match these to the needs of any emergency response teams such as the police and the fire brigade.

Communication

Employers must train all staff, including site contractors, to identify and act upon a warning sign.

Maintenance

All warning signs must be regularly inspected for damage. Auditory and electronic signs should be checked to ensure that they still work correctly. The management system should enable repairs and replacements to take place without delay.

Codes of practice

For the relevant codes of practice as published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), please see http://www.hse.gov.uk/comah/sragtech/techmeassigns.htm.

Article by Kevin Watson.

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