Thermal Power Project 's All HSE Documentation : SAFETY SIGNS AND DISPLAYS

SAFETY SIGNS AND DISPLAYS

GUIDELINES FOR IMPROVEMENT

INTRODUCTION:

This guideline will help to effectively use safety signs and colours for the protection of employees and visitors. Experience shows that companies that have implemented a uniform sign and colour system to make hazards more visible and easy to identify have successfully lowered their injury frequency rates.

This note is intended to assist the safety management and act as a source of guidance for staff members to set down the standards for the use of various signs and displays throughout the works.

OBJECTIVE:

To have in place a system for effective visual control to identify significant risks to health and safety of employees and visitors on site. To have standardization of signs across the organization and ensure that employees, contractors, visitors and the neighborhood are effectively informed concerning workplace safety and health hazards and appropriate protective measures.

REGULATIONS:

The employer is legally required to communicate the employees including visitors and neighborhoods of workplace hazards and measures in place to protect occupational health and environment. Hence warning signs and other general signs are posted in workplaces to help reduce the likely hood of an accident or emergency being caused.

It is expected signs are maintained at all times and that adequate instructions and/or training be given to employees on their meaning.

IS 9457 - Health and Safety Codes of Practice specifies which signs are required and the location in which they should be posted.

RESPONSIBILITY:

Respective area managers are responsible to ensure that the requirements for the posting of a safety sign has been identified, such signs are posted, visible at all times, adequately maintained and staff is aware of their meaning and/or requirement.

SAFETY SIGNS:

A safety sign can be one of a number of methods by which health and safety information is communicated.

Safety signs are used to:

Ø draw attention to health and safety hazards.

Ø point out hazards that may not be obvious.

Ø provide general information and directions.

Ø remind employees where personal protective equipment must be worn.

Ø show where emergency equipment is located.

Ø indicate where certain actions are prohibited.

SIGN CATEGORIES:

There are three basic sign categories used in the workplace:

Ø regulatory

Ø warning

Ø information

Each category is distinguished by its shape. These categories are divided into sub-categories

those are recognized by their colour.

Category

Sub-category

Colour

1. Regulatory

A circle indicates that an

order is in force.

1.1 Prohibition

- forbids an action.

1.2 Mandatory

- requires an action

forforbi

- Red and black on white

- White on Black

2. Warning

A triangle indicates caution or

danger

2.1 Caution

- indicates a potential hazard

2.2 Danger

- indicates a definite hazard

- Black on yellow

- White on red

3 Information

3.1 Emergency

- indicates first aid, health,

fire protection, fire fighting,

emergency equipment.

3.2 General information

- indicates permission or

public information

- White on green

- White on blue

SIGN TYPES:

There are three types of signs used to communicate a safety message. Appropriate sign should be selected depending on the application.

Ø Symbol signs. Use symbols that are simple and easy to learn and recognize.

Ø Symbol signs with text. Include simple text message to help explain the meaning of the symbol or to provide more information.

Ø Text signs. Text signs should only be used when no appropriate symbols exist.

Symbol Sign Symbol Sign Text Sign

with text

1. Regulatory

1.1 Prohibition

1.2 Mandatory

2. Warning

2.1 Caution

2.2 Danger

3. Information

3.1 Emergency

3.2 General Information

Signboard:

This is a sign which provides information by a combination of shape, colour and pictogram which can be seen by lighting of sufficient intensity. In practice signboards are accompanied by supplementary text. There are five main categories of signboard the table below gives further information.

Category Explanation	Prohibition	Mandatory	Warning	Safe Condition	Fire Fighting
Meaning	Dangerous behaviour or You must not or do not or Stop	You must do or carry out the action indicated given by the sign or Obey	Hazard or risk of danger or Caution	First aid or Where to go in an emergency or The safe way or No Danger	Identification of equipment or Where to find equipment
Shape Colour	Red (outline and diagonal) White (field)	Blue (field)	Black (outline) Yellow (field)	Green (field)	Red (field)
Symbols Text	Black White on Red Field	White White on Blue Field	Black Black on Yellow Field	White White on Green Field	White White on red Field

Illuminated sign:

A sign made from transparent or translucent material which is illuminated from the inside or the rear to give the appearance of a luminous surface. (e.g. emergency exit signs).

Hand signals:

A movement or position of the arms or hands by a person giving a recognized signal and guiding persons who are carrying out maneuvers which may cause a hazard or danger to persons.( e.g. crane operations)

Acoustic signal:

A sound transmitted with mechanical/ electrical device. (E.g. fire alarm alert)

IMPLEMENTATION

Standard safety signs should be posted to warn of real and/or potential dangers within the workplace.

1. Signs should be durable, securely fastened and properly maintained to ensure they remain visible.

2. Danger signs should be used in areas where a failure to adhere to the warning on the sign would result in injury.

3. Caution signs should be used in areas where a failure to adhere to the warning on the sign may result in injury or occupational illness.

4. Safety signs should be used to convey guidance to prevent accidents or equipment misuse (i.e. eyewash station, safety shower.)

5. Whether the hazard is permanent or temporary e.g. maintenances or project work, whenever signboards are used they must be large, clear, easily seen and understood by employees.

6. The use of reflective material may be needed in areas of poor natural light.

7. Avoid using too many signboards in close proximity as there is a danger of confusion and of important information being overlooked.

8. If there is no standard signboard available, then it is acceptable to make your own provided that it conforms to the general principles and has the features stated in the table above.

9. A text in local language could be added to aid understanding, should be in the same colour as the type of signboard it is supplementing.

10. Each plant building/structure or room which contains bulk storage of chemicals should post on the exterior address side, a standard sign designating the primary danger of all the substances within the building for each category.

They need to be positioned near the area or near the doors leading to the area or room.

11. Signs used to mark obstacles or dangerous locations should be striped in yellow and black.

12. Markings indicating traffic routes within workplaces should be continuous lines in either yellow or white, depending on the colour of the ground.

13. Fire safety sign is specifically defined as a sign which:

Ø Provides information on escape routes and emergency exits in case of fire

Ø Provides information on the identification or location of fire fighting equipment

Ø Gives warning in case of fire.

MARKINGS

Markings could be used as warnings where the use of a sign or tag is infeasible.

1. Red floor markings outlined in red and/or crossed by diagonal white strips, surround or mark a boundary or a dangerous area. Signs indicating the danger and appropriate regulations shall be posted conspicuously within the marked area. The colour red shall also be used to indicate fire protection equipment and equipment stops and to mark dangers where the probability of an accident is high.

2. Yellow floor markings, outlined in black and/or crossed by diagonal black stripes, if necessary for visibility, shall indicate a tripping hazard or delineate a means of egress. Yellow markings shall also be used to indicate a catching hazard, such as on a machine and potential physical hazards where the probability of an accident is moderate.

3. Orange markings on machinery shall be used to draw attention to removed guards, exposed blades, and similar hazards. Orange markings shall be used on the interiors of electrical switchboxes and other electrical equipment to draw attention to the electrical hazard in places where conductors are exposed.

SYMBOLS FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS:

Transportation of Dangerous Goods as well as Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, specify the symbols on containers.

These symbols indicate the nature of the hazardous material such as compressed gas, corrosive, flammable, oxidizing or toxic material.

SAFETY COLOURS:

Colour attracts attention and can be used extensively for safety purposes. For example, colour can be used as an additional safety measure to indicate hazards or point out safety equipment.

For example, colour can be applied on:

APPLICATIONS FOR SAFETY COLOURS:

Safety colours are also useful in work areas, and on equipment and machinery. The safety colours and their meanings are listed below, based on the standard.

Colour Meaning Examples

Red Danger or stop - Containers of flammable liquids;

- Emergency stop buttons

(protect against inadvertent initiation)

- Fire protection equipment

Orange Warning - Hazardous parts of machines which may cut

Or crush or otherwise injure a worker;

- Inside of movable guards or

- Inside of transmission guards for gears,

Pulleys, chains etc;

- Exposed parts (edges only) of pulleys, gears, rollers, cutting devices, power jaws, etc.

Yellow Caution - Physical hazards which might result in

Striking against, stumbling, falling, tripping, being caught in-between;

- Storage cabinets for flammable materials;

- Containers for unstable materials.

Green First aid/safety equipment - Emergency egress, exit routes

- First aid kits /stations/ stretchers;

-Emergency showers/ eyewash fountain.

Blue Safety information - Signs requiring use of,

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Control panels:

Indicator light button/control

Ø Red Danger – alarm stop/off

Ø Yellow Caution - Caution/intervention needed

Ø Green Safe condition - Start/on

Piping system:

There are many ways you can identify the contents of pipes. The code of practice, however, requires you to train your workers on the identification system you use. A way of ensuring that your employees have a clear understanding of what a pipe contains is by labeling the pipe with a tag that clearly identifies the material inside attaching the appropriate hazard symbol. Use arrows on the pipe to show the direction of the flow of the contents.

Safety colours conventionally used for pipes in the workplace include:

DETERMINING YOUR REQUIREMENT:

To evaluate your existing safety sign and colour system plan a yearly audit.

Evaluation could be done on the following points.

Ø What messages need to be conveyed to employees and workplace visitors?

Ø Which messages are most important to health and safety?

Ø Do current signs appropriately convey the importance of a message?

Ø Are current signs and safety colours easy to understand?

Ø How about the needs of employees who are not literate?

Ø Are employees trained to understand workplace signs and colours?

Ø Do employees comply with signs?

Ø Is there consistency in the use of safety signs and colours?

Ø Are signs visible, away from clutter or obstructions, and well-lighted?

Ø Are signs and colours effective in drawing attention to hazards?

Ø Are signs posted in the best possible location and within an appropriate distance from hazards?

Ø What is the general condition of existing signs?

Ø Do signs meet legal requirements?

Ø Do the signs, symbols and colours used reflect current standards?

EFFECTIVE USE OF SAFETY SIGN AND COLOURS

After determine your needs, ensure the signs and colours are used consistently. It has advantage that employees learn that signs and colours mean the same thing even when they work in different departments or plant locations. It also enables employees to quickly locate first aid, fire fighting and other emergency equipment.

Signs especially those that indicate hazards should:

Ø attract a person’s attention

Ø clearly identify the nature of the hazard

Ø specify the immediate action required

Ø be posted in a place that provides enough time for a person to read the sign and act accordingly

Ø be easily recognized and understood by all employees

Ø reflect the needs of those who have visual limitations or who do not speak English

Ø be sized or placed according to the importance of the message.

POSTING SIGNS:

Ø Signs should be clearly visible, positioned in the line of sight and free from any obstructions or clutter.

Ø Keep signs well-lighted natural or artificial for visibility. Observers should be able to read a sign easily and recognize its safety colour and hazard.

Ø Post the sign within an appropriate distance from the hazard it is pointing out.

Ø An observer must have enough time to see and read the sign and do whatever is necessary to keep safe.

Ø In general, signs should be displayed alone. When signs must be grouped together, place them in an appropriate order.

Ø Use no more than three symbols on a single display board.

Ø Ensure that directional signs are visible from all directions. Include arrows on exit signs wherever the direction is not obvious. Directional signs should be posted at a consistent height throughout the workplace. They should also be posted at appropriate locations or decision points so that the route to take is always clear.

Ø Help employees and workplace visitors understand signs quickly by using clear language and symbols that can be learned and recognized easily.

Ø Keep symbols as simple as possible; eliminate details that don’t make the message clearer.

Ø Avoid using signs that contain only text messages. A combination of text and symbols is generally the most effective.

Ø Consider use of local language text understood by the majority of employees with English.

Ø Use capital letters for the first letter of the first word and small letters for the rest.

Ø Use appropriate warning words. These can be in capital letters, if you prefer.

Ø The lettering fonts most recommended are bold or regular face.

Ø Limit one message to a sign. To convey more than one message, use separate signs.

Ø Sign boards could be hanging or wall bracketed inside the buildings and on stand alone post in the open area.

Ø Signs should have rounded or blunted corners to prevent sharp edges, burrs, splinters or other sharp projections.

Ø Position fastening devices carefully so that they don’t become hazards.

MAINTAINCE:

Maintain safety signs in good condition at all times. It reflects on the work culture.

Ø Inspect signs during regular workplace inspections.

Ø Replace worn, faded, damaged, and outdated signs.

Ø Change signs that are often misunderstood.

Ø Remove signs that are redundant or no longer needed.

Ø Repaint areas where safety colours have faded.

TRAINING:

Everyone may not be aware that there is a purpose for and meaning in the shape and colour of safety signs or colours on equipment and around the workplace indicate hazards.

Ensure that all employees and contractors understand what signs mean and the potential results of not following them. Also point out to employees that their cooperation and feedback are necessary for the system to be effective.

Train employees so that they understand,

Ø the meaning of the various shapes, symbols and colours used.

Ø the contents of pipes based on their colour, attached tags and other markings

Ø the consequences if exposed to the hazard

Ø safety precautions to follow

Ø what to do in an emergency

Ø how to use emergency equipment

Make this training a part of your orientation or induction training for new employees.

Provide employees with orientation handbooks that contain complete and updated information on the safety signs and colours used in your workplace.

SAFETY POSTERS & SLOGANS:

Safety posters and slogans are an aid to promote safety culture in the organization. It should be understood that the impact is short lived. The poster which is permanently displayed at one location is overlooked. Hence the poster should be periodically changed for example weekly or monthly. The poster which is well illuminated with focused light has good visibility at all times and gets quick attention.

Do not display posters and slogans which can not be maintained, for example on lamp posts and painted on surfaces of buildings and compound walls. Avoid over doing of such displays. It has a bad impression.

Organize periodic campaigns with focused approach to improve operational safety, for example good housekeeping, safety in use of hand tools and power driven tools. Display posters suitable to activity in the respective area.

Give priority to posters drawn by the employees to encourage their participation in safety activities.

DISPLAYBOARDS:

In the present era of globalization, proper display boards on the premises are essential to project the right image of the organization. Stake holders, Corporate Officials, international dignitaries, visiting the premises should get the positive message of the organization at first look. Display boards play an important role in this regard.

The displays should project,

Core values of the organization
Vision statement
Mission statement
Corporate policy statement

The above display boards may be placed in the vicinity of main admin block with unobstructed view. Focused light could be used, so that even after darkness they are visible.

The board depicting national/ international location marks may be displayed in the reception lobby, to show the scale of operations.

The activities of environment protection measures adopted by the organization such as,

Environmental conservation practices,
Reduction, recycle and reuse of waste generated on site. These displays could be in the premises, where it is being practiced and implemented.
Environmental performance standards.

SAFETY SIGNS AND DISPLAYS

GUIDELINES FOR IMPROVEMENT

INTRODUCTION:

This note is intended to assist the safety management and act as a source of guidance for staff members to set down the standards for the use of various signs and displays throughout the works.

OBJECTIVE:

REGULATIONS:

It is expected signs are maintained at all times and that adequate instructions and/or training be given to employees on their meaning.

IS 9457 - Health and Safety Codes of Practice specifies which signs are required and the location in which they should be posted.

RESPONSIBILITY:

SAFETY SIGNS:

A safety sign can be one of a number of methods by which health and safety information is communicated.

Safety signs are used to:

 draw attention to health and safety hazards.

 point out hazards that may not be obvious.

 provide general information and directions.

 remind employees where personal protective equipment must be worn.

 show where emergency equipment is located.

 indicate where certain actions are prohibited.

SIGN CATEGORIES:

There are three basic sign categories used in the workplace:

 regulatory

 warning

 information

Each category is distinguished by its shape. These categories are divided into sub-categories

those are recognized by their colour.

Category Sub-category Colour

1. Regulatory

A circle indicates that an

order is in force. 1.1 Prohibition

- forbids an action.

1.2 Mandatory

- requires an action

forforbi - Red and black on white

- White on Black

2. Warning

A triangle indicates caution or

danger 2.1 Caution

- indicates a potential hazard

2.2 Danger

- indicates a definite hazard

- Black on yellow

- White on red

3 Information

3.1 Emergency

- indicates first aid, health,

fire protection, fire fighting,

emergency equipment.

3.2 General information

- indicates permission or

public information

- White on green

- White on blue

SIGN TYPES:

There are three types of signs used to communicate a safety message. Appropriate sign should be selected depending on the application.

 Symbol signs. Use symbols that are simple and easy to learn and recognize.

 Symbol signs with text. Include simple text message to help explain the meaning of the symbol or to provide more information.

 Text signs. Text signs should only be used when no appropriate symbols exist.

Symbol Sign Symbol Sign Text Sign

with text

1. Regulatory

1.1 Prohibition

1.2 Mandatory

2. Warning

2.1 Caution

2.2 Danger

3. Information

3.1 Emergency

3.2 General Information

Signboard:

Category

Explanation

Prohibition

Mandatory Warning Safe Condition Fire Fighting

Meaning Dangerous behaviour or You must not or do not or Stop You must do or carry out the action indicated given by the sign or Obey Hazard or risk of danger or Caution First aid or Where to go in an emergency or The safe way or No Danger Identification of equipment or Where to find equipment

Shape

Colour

Red (outline and diagonal)

White (field)

Blue (field)

Black (outline)

Yellow (field)

Green (field)

Red (field)

Symbols

Text Black

White on Red Field White

White on Blue Field Black

Black on Yellow Field White

White on Green Field White

White on red Field

Illuminated sign:

A sign made from transparent or translucent material which is illuminated from the inside or the rear to give the appearance of a luminous surface. (e.g. emergency exit signs).

Hand signals:

Acoustic signal:

A sound transmitted with mechanical/ electrical device. (E.g. fire alarm alert)

IMPLEMENTATION