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TUESDAY 31 JANUARY, 2012 |

Health and Safety Signs Regulations

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What are the current regulations? The current Regulations fall in line with the EC Safety Signs Directive (92/58/EEC) on the provision and use of safety signs at work. The reasoning behind the regulations is to encourage all work places throughout Europe to use the same Health and Safety Signs, giving them the same meaning where ever they are seen. The Regulations cover various means of communicating health and safety information. These include the use of illuminated signs, Photo luminescent signs, instructional posters relevant to a variety of industries, hand and acoustic signals (eg fire alarms) and marking of dangerous substances. These are in addition to commonly used safety signs such as prohibition and warning signs. Fire safety signs are also covered. What is required by employers? They require employers to use health and safety signs where ever there is a risk that can not be avoided or controlled by another means,(example. by engineering controls and safe systems of work) If a sign would not help to reduce the risk, or there is no significant risk, no safety sign is required. Once a safety sign has been placed, it is the responsibility of the employer to maintain it, replacing as and when necessary. These regulations apply to all places of employment. Fire safety signs Advice on the use of fire safety signs can be obtained from your enforcing authority for fire safety. In general these Regulations will not require any changes, but you must make sure where there is no existing fire safety signs containing symbols which comply with BS 5499, that a sign is purchased and placed immediately. These may already be in place (perhaps in order to comply with the requirements of a fire certificate). This is because the signs in BS 5499, will, although slightly different, still comply with current regulations.

News for Tuesday 24 January, 2012