Signs to a Safer World

1. Signs to a Safer World Presented by: The University Safety Office University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

2. Signs to a Safer World What this session is for. This session is intended to give a basic introduction to Safety Signs, their meanings and how to interpret them. Some people will also want to be able to design their own signs and this course will explain how to approach creating safety signs that can be understood by other people.

3. Health and Safety Health and safety is intended to bring about condition free from risk of injury or threat to our health and well-being. Signs are a key tool to communicate about risks and actions needed.

4. What kinds of signs are there? Road signs Instructions Information Signs Guidance / Direction Signs Temporary signs Safety Signs

5. What are Safety Signs? A Safety Sign is to provide information or instruction by means of a combination of shape, colour, symbol or pictogram, all made visible and placed in clear view, and they may be accompanied by sound or other signals.

6. What do the colours mean? The Safety Signs Regulations specify four basic colours (plus black and white) to provide information about the circumstances. These are completely standardised and no other colours should be used.

7. What do the colours mean? RedDanger – Prohibition – Fire – Emergency YellowWarning – Caution – Take precautions GreenSafe – Escape – Exit – Equipment BlueMandatory – Things to do – PPE

8. What do the Shapes mean? The Safety Signs Regulations also specify basic shapes to be used for signs. These are sometimes included as pictograms within a larger sign but in the main they form the general shape of the sign. The shapes have the following meanings.

9. What do the Shapes mean? RoundCircle – mandatory to doCrossed out – mandatory NOT to do TriangularWarning OblongInformation

10. What do the Pictograms mean? Pictograms are added to make it easier to identify the issue without the need for lengthy explanations. These are mainly standardised by the regulations however anything not covered can have a new pictogram invented provided it is clear and easy to interpret.

11. What do the Pictograms mean? What could these mean?

12. How big should signs be? All signs are required to be sufficiently large to be seen readily from where the information is needed. e.g. a fire exit direction sign may need to be large to be seen from the opposite side of a hall. Signs must be in the line of sight. This is normally eye level for signs where people can get close, and top of door height for signs intended to be seen from a long way away.

13. What do these Signs mean? You will now be given a question sheet to fill in. Try to answer all of the questions. Afterwards we will look at the correct answers and other possibilities that could have been used.

14. Quiz – Question 1. What do these signs mean?

15. Quiz – Question 2. Which colour should these signs be? Pedestrians must walk this way General hazard Fire extinguisher this way Fire exit – do not obstruct Not drinking water Industrial vehicles may be present

16. Quiz – Question 3. Which shape should these signs be? No access for industrial vehicles Low temperatures Emergency telephone for first aid Emergency telephone for fire Pedestrians must walk this way Do not extinguish fire with water

17. Quiz – Question 4. Suggest meanings for the following pictograms

18. Quiz – Question 5. Draw a sign for each of these conditions Danger from electricity Do not touch (or Do not touch – danger of entrapment) Fire door keep closed Fire exit this way

19. Quiz For the answers to the quiz – see the separate handout. Remember that there is often more than one way to interpret a safety message in making a sign so there are many right answers possible. There are also many incorrect signs in use.

20. Quiz - Answers Circle Crossed out Order - Prohibition Red - Prohibition Do not walk here.

21. Quiz - Answers Circle - Order Blue - Information Use this protective clothingSafety Boots

22. Quiz - Answers Oblong - Information Green - Safe First Aid Kit or station is here.

23. Quiz - Answers Triangle - Warning Yellow - Warning Danger of electric shock

24. Quiz - Answers Oblong - Information Red - Fire Fire fighting equipment here hose reel

25. Quiz - Answers Oblong - Information Green - Escape Fire exit this way

26. Quiz - Answers The sign means What colour? 1 Pedestrians must walk this way Blue 2 General hazard Yellow 3 Fire extinguisher this way Red 4 Fire exit – do not obstruct Blue 5 Not drinking water Red crossed out 6 Industrial Vehicles may be present Yellow

27. Quiz - Answers The sign means What shape? 1 No access for Industrial Vehicles Circle crossed out 2 Low temperatures Triangle 3 Emergency telephone for first aid Rectangle 4 Emergency telephone for fire Rectangle 5 Pedestrians must walk this way Circle 6 Do not extinguish fire with water Circle crossed out

28. Quiz - Answers Suggest meanings Loads overhead Drinking Water

29. Quiz - Answers Suggest Signs for the meaning Danger from Electricity

30. Quiz - Answers Suggest Signs for the meaning Do not Touch or Do not touch - Danger of Entrapment

31. Quiz - Answers Suggest Signs for the meaning Fire Door - Keep Closed

32. Quiz - Answers Suggest Signs for the meaning Fire Exit This Way

33. Quiz - Answers How did you do? Do you feel that you can now identify and interpret signs? Could you now devise (or identify) suitable signs for use?

34. Further Information The Safety Signs Regulations The HSE website The University Safety Office