Working with electrical installations requires responsibility, increased attention, and compliance with certain rules set out in regulatory documentation. Separate paragraphs are devoted to protective equipment, including electrical safety posters. What are they, what categories are they divided into and what are they intended for?
You will learn everything about posters that prescribe and prohibit activities during equipment repairs or electrical installations from our proposed article. We will tell you what types of posters are divided into and what shape they have. We list and describe the main and additional types of visual warnings.
Prohibition posters
Based on the name of these posters, their main purpose is to prohibit certain actions with switching installations, so that during maintenance activities on electrical devices they are not accidentally supplied with power.
“ Working under tension. Do not turn it on again! "- no one is allowed to re-turn on the overhead line switches after they have been automatically turned off, without prior consent from the work manager. This type of poster is hung on all overhead line control keys when repair work is carried out on live equipment (U).
" Dangerous! Electric field! Passage is prohibited without protective equipment ” is installed on outdoor switchgear with U exceeding 330 kV at a height of 1.8 meters on the fences of areas with U exceeding 15 kV per meter. It informs about the high probability of dangerous effects of an electric field on operating personnel and prohibits their movement in the work area without personal protective equipment.
" Do not turn on. People are working " is a portable sign used on electrical installations with U over 1 thousand Volts. It is installed on all drives, buttons and control keys of switching equipment and means that power supply to the line is prohibited.
" Do not turn on! Work on the line "is a portable sign installed on all drives and control keys of switching devices. It prohibits power supply to the line.
What are there
The distribution of existing signs by groups and types is established by the current labor legislation, as well as instructions from government authorities in the field of labor protection.
One of the mandatory installations is the presence of the required signs directly in the institution. They are applied, placed and explained by the organization’s occupational safety specialist.
Determining the type of sign depends on the working conditions, the premises of the enterprise, and the requirements of the legislator. There are several types, and they differ in the reasons for their use and the information they contain.
The main signs must be classified into groups:
Contain a ban on dangerous behavior. Emergency situations are not allowed. Designed to warn employees of the institution about the dangers in their work. These are, for example, “Access denied”, “Smoking prohibited”.
A special feature is a prohibition on certain actions: movement, use of specific objects.
In case of violation of the prohibitions provided for by such signs, the employee may be subject to punishment depending on the severity of the consequences.
It is important to pay close attention to these signs in organizations dealing with substances of a dangerous and harmful nature.
Inform about possible danger, call for caution and attention.
Warn employees about possible negative consequences that manifest themselves depending on working conditions and the characteristics of the organization’s activities. Inform about the nature of possible risks. Such signs, for example, include warnings about biological threats, poisons, and flammable substances.
An employee must be attentive to such signs, because they will protect him from negative consequences.
Inform about the places where fire protection equipment is located: hydrants, fire extinguishers, taps, alarm buttons.
These signs will indicate the risk of fire, electrical circuit breakage, and provide information about the telephone numbers of emergency services, the procedure for action in the event of a fire or circuit breakage.
They provide for mandatory actions to avoid danger, that is, those that the employee is obliged to take during work in order to prevent a dangerous situation or violation of established safety standards. These include, for example, those that require workers to wear helmets and protective masks.
Such signs are mandatory for all workers in a certain area.
Evacuation and medical and sanitary purposes
They indicate where to go in case of evacuation, where to seek salvation and first aid. It can be difficult to navigate in a state of danger, and such signs carry a meaning that is understandable at the level of intuition. Employees of the enterprise, when realizing risks, focus on them during the evacuation process.
They inform and allow action. They help provide employees with information about the location of the organization’s services, service entrances, exits, smoking areas, and other premises.
Which of the following posters are classified as signposts?
What is the maximum radius from the point where the electric wire touches the ground that you can get under the “step” voltage?
Expert opinion
Viktor Pavlovich Strebizh, lighting and electrical expert
Any questions ask me, I will help!
It is installed on all drives, buttons and control keys of switching equipment and means that power supply to the line is prohibited. If there is something you don’t understand, write to me!
Warning posters
The main purpose of such information signs is to notify personnel about approaching at an unsafe distance to parts of equipment that are under high voltage.
“ Stop! Voltage " - used in installations with U over 1 thousand Volts. The sign notifies you of being in close proximity to live parts of an electrical installation.
" Don't get in! Will kill " - this sign informs about the danger of approaching live parts when climbing a structure.
" Trial! Danger to life " - this sign is mounted on workplace barriers during high-voltage tests and warns of the danger of electric shock.
" Carefully! Electrical voltage - used in electrical installations of any substations and power stations. It warns against the danger of approaching live parts of the installation.
Useful video
Electrical safety signs are discussed in detail in this video:
When carrying out complex and dangerous repair or inspection work on high-voltage lines, in electrical installations and other areas where there is a danger of electric shock, warning and prohibition signs must be posted to prevent accidents.
This will help not only to clear the desired area from strangers, but will also prevent accidents at work. Posters must be designed in accordance with GOST standards and current legislation.
Such signs must be hung and displayed strictly before the start of hazardous work and in visibility so that the information is available to everyone nearby.
Electrical safety posters and signs
During work with electrical installations and switching equipment, various operations are performed that pose a danger to the health and life of operating personnel. To avoid unauthorized switching on or off of electrical equipment, special electrical safety signs are used, which reflect the possibility or impossibility of certain actions by workers. They are divided into various categories and primarily warn of possible danger when contacting live equipment in electrical installations.
General information about electrical safety signs
Electrical safety posters and signs are produced according to established standards. They are intended for use in various conditions and are divided into several categories:
- Prohibiting . These posters prohibit any actions with switching equipment, the activation of which by mistake may cause voltage to enter the workplace. They also prohibit moving without protective equipment in electrical installations with a voltage of 330 kV or more and an electric field strength of over 5 kV/m.
- Warning . Electrical safety signs in this category warn of possible danger when approaching live parts in electrical installations that are energized.
- Prescriptive . Allow the performance of any actions subject to specific electrical safety requirements.
- Pointing . They indicate the location of certain objects and devices.
In accordance with the nature and characteristics of the application, all graphic images in the field of electrical safety are of permanent or portable type.
Where to get and where to install
It may seem that it is not difficult for an employer to make such symbols on their own. But taking into account the extensive list of GOST requirements for design and production, strict guidelines regarding the materials used, it is advisable to place an order for the production of this specific product in an organization specializing in the named area of activity.
The main requirement for placement is visibility for the people to whom they are addressed. Signs must be placed so that they do not distract attention, do not interfere with the employee’s performance of his task, do not block aisles, driveways, or interfere with the movement of cargo. Thus, the management of the institution selects placements based on established criteria.
In rooms and areas (doors, walls) where flammable substances are contained and where smoking is prohibited.
On the gates and doors of those objects where animals are not allowed, or where they cannot be.
At objects (doors, entrances) where communication means cannot be used.
What kind of lighting do you prefer?
Built-in Chandelier
Obstructing aisles and/or storing is prohibited
On evacuation routes, at exits, where fire-fighting equipment is located, and other places.
In places where such substances are stored, produced and used.
In places where substances hazardous to employees are stored, produced and used.
For work where you need to protect your hands from the dangerous effects of harmful substances or electric current.
When working in areas where the employee needs to use PPE.
Button for turning on fire automatics installations (systems)
In places where fire alarms are manually activated.
Above the doors (or on the doors) of escape routes. On the wall of the facility along with a directional arrow that will tell you where to move to evacuate.
Used only in conjunction with others to show the direction of movement.
On the doors of those rooms where drinking water taps are located.
Prohibition posters
The “LOGINE OPERATION DO NOT RE-ON” sign is used to prohibit manual re-closure of overhead line switches after they have been automatically switched off. Such actions must be coordinated with the work manager.
These electrical safety posters must be posted on the control keys included in the overhead line switches. They are hung when performing repair work under voltage. The standard size of the poster is 100x500 mm, with a red border 5 mm wide running along the perimeter. The inscription's letters are red and printed on a white background.
Poster “DO NOT TURN ON! People are working” is figurative. It prohibits applying voltage to the line in all cases. It is hung on buttons, keys and switchgear control drives. When you turn it on, the voltage will definitely get to the line, so this should not be done under any circumstances. These posters are used in electrical installations with voltages not only up to 1000 volts, but also above this value.
The poster dimensions are standard – 100x200 mm, with a perimeter border 5 mm wide. The inscription uses red letters on a white background.
Portable poster “DO NOT TURN ON! operation on the line" prohibits the supply of voltage to the line. It is also hung on the control elements of the switching equipment of electrical panels, when turned on, voltage can be supplied to the line. The inscription is written in white letters on a red background without a border. Overall dimensions are standard – 100x200 mm.
Prohibitory signs “DO NOT OPEN by people working” are also portable. They are hung on valves and gate valves that shut off the air supply to pneumatic switching equipment. An error when opening these devices may cause the equipment on which the work is being performed to turn on. This symbol also applies to gas cylinders, as well as hydrogen or oxygen pipelines, which, if opened, could cause injury to workers with serious negative consequences. The dimensions of the sign are standard; there is a red border around the perimeter.
Warning signs and posters
All maintenance personnel run the risk of approaching dangerous distances from live parts without even knowing it. Warning signs and posters installed near potentially dangerous objects will help to eliminate such situations.
In such cases, the “STOP!” sign is used. voltage”, signaling the danger of contact with electric current. This poster is portable and is used in equipment with a voltage of 1000 volts and other values higher or lower. The standard size is 150x300 mm, the configuration of the red boom is defined in GOST 12.4.026. There is a red border 15 mm wide along the perimeter. The letters of the inscription are black, on a white background.
The “KEEP OUT!” sign performs exactly the same function. will kill."
The "Dangerous TEST" poster clearly states the danger of electric shock during the period when high voltage testing is being carried out. It is installed on the fence of the workplace. Overall dimensions 150x300 mm, a red border 21 mm wide is applied along the perimeter. On a white background there is a red lightning bolt and black letters.
The same warning functions are performed by the sign “DANGEROUS ELECTRIC FIELD, passage is prohibited without protective equipment.” It warns of the potentially dangerous effects that a worker’s body may be exposed to under the influence of an electric field. In such cases, personnel are prohibited from moving around the facility without protective equipment.
Mandatory signs
They indicate places of work in electrical installations and indicate safe approaches to these workplaces. Among them, it is often necessary to use a figurative “WORK HERE” sign. In accordance with GOST, they are produced square, with dimensions of 100x100 and 250x250 mm. There is a blue edging 20 or 50 mm wide along the perimeter. The inscription is made in black letters on a white background.
“GET IN HERE” posters, used in cases where the workplace is located at a height, have exactly the same characteristics. At the same time, they are an indicator of the safest route to the desired area. The dimensions correspond to GOST and the previous poster.
What are signal colors for?
To ensure that production processes are carried out normally and without accidents, certain signal colors are used on safety signs. Seeing them from afar, a person will immediately understand their purpose and character by color. Each color has its own meaning, allowing a person to determine the type of possible threat at the site. What are the signal colors:
- Red - prohibited, threat;
- Yellow - possible danger;
- Blue - informational purpose;
- Green - safety.
Directional posters
A typical representative of this group is the “GROUNDED” sign. It indicates the grounding of a certain section of the electrical installation and the prohibition of the supply of electric current to it.
Its location is usually the drive of the switching equipment. If prohibition and directional posters are used at the same time, the latter should be hung from above. Dimensions according to GOST 100x200 or 50x100 mm, with a corresponding white border width of 13 and 5 mm. The inscription uses white letters located on a blue background.
Safety signs - types, design
All warning signs are created in accordance with approved interstate standards. Each of them has its own form, structure, and execution. In addition, they are divided according to their functional purpose.
The shape of the sign can also determine its significance. The following forms are used for this:
- Round - prohibitions;
- In the shape of a triangle - a warning;
- Square - prescription;
- In the shape of a rectangle - pointers.
According to the structure of execution, signs are:
- Flat type;
- Volumetric type.
What types of safety posters are divided into according to the material used?
Based on the type of raw material used, safety signs are divided into non-luminous, retroreflective, and photoluminescent.
Electrical safety posters and signs used in electrical installations
The use of safety signs and posters in electrical installations is associated with the need to ensure that operations with switching devices are prohibited (turning them on or off) so that during the operation of electrical equipment no one accidentally applies voltage to it.
Posters and signs warn of the dangers associated with approaching energized equipment. Safety posters may also identify the workplace.
According to their purpose, safety posters and signs are divided into:
- – prohibiting;
- – warning;
- – prescriptive;
- - pointing.
Depending on the nature of their application, electrical safety posters and signs are portable and stationary (permanent).
Friends, due to the fact that there are constantly disputes and disagreements in the comments, I decided to slightly change the structure and content of this article.
The name and assignment of electrical safety posters and signs to a particular class are taken from the source SO 153-34.03.603-2003 - “INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE APPLICATION AND TESTING OF PROTECTION MEANS USED IN ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS,” which was approved in 2003.
By nature of application
This classification for electrical safety posters and signs allows you to determine whether the device will be installed on a permanent basis or whether it is portable. The first, for the most part, include signs, for example, voltage indicators, which are a triangular information plate with a stylized image of lightning.
Stationary
Of the types listed above, these include the signs given in paragraphs 5 and 6, as well as the warning poster from paragraph 10
Portable
All other posters that were discussed are portable, that is, those that are installed in new places.
It makes sense to create sets of portable posters only when standard maintenance or repair of electrical network components or equipment powered by it is performed. In such cases, you can take a certain number of mandatory, prohibitive or other safety posters and signs, including “danger to life” signs, in advance.
Prohibition posters
Prohibition posters are used to prohibit actions with switching devices (turning on/off) so that when working on electrical equipment, voltage is not mistakenly applied to it.
« OPERATION UNDER VOLTAGE Do not switch on again! "- this sign prohibits manual re-closing of overhead line switches without the approval of the work manager after they have been automatically switched off. Such posters are hung on the control keys of overhead line switches when repair work is carried out under voltage.
Poster dimensions – 100x500 mm, red border width – 5 mm. The inscription is made in red letters on a white background.
" DO NOT TURN ON! people are working” - a portable poster prohibiting the supply of voltage to the line. Must be posted on keys, buttons and control drives of switching devices, when turned on, voltage can be supplied to the line. Suitable for electrical installations up to 1000 V and higher.
The poster is made in dimensions 200x100 or 100x50 mm, the width of the red border is 10 and 5 mm, respectively. The inscription is written in red letters on a white background.
" DO NOT TURN ON! work on the line" - a portable poster prohibiting the supply of voltage to the line. It is hung on the keys and control drives of switching devices, the activation of which can supply voltage to the line.
Warning posters
Warning posters warn against approaching dangerous distances from live parts.
"STOP!" voltage" - warns of the danger of approaching live parts of electrical installations that are energized. The poster is used in electrical installations with voltages up to 1000 V and higher (applies to portable ones).
Poster dimensions – 300X150 mm. The red arrow is made in accordance with GOST 12.4.026. The width of the red border is 15 mm. The inscription is made in black letters on a white background.
"DO NOT COME IN!" will kill" - this poster warns about the possible approach to live parts that are energized when climbing a structure.
The dimensions of the sign are 300x150 mm. The arrow is red. The width of the red border is 15 mm. The inscription is made in black letters on a white background.
“THE TEST IS DANGEROUS TO LIFE” - the poster warns of the danger of electric shock when conducting high-voltage tests. Such signs are posted on the fences of workplaces during high-voltage tests.
The dimensions of the sign are 300x150 mm. The arrow is red. The width of the red border is 21 mm. The inscription is made in black letters on a white background.
“DANGEROUS ELECTRIC FIELD, passage is prohibited without protective equipment” - a poster warning of the possibility of dangerous effects of an electric field on service personnel, and also prohibits the movement of people without the use of protective equipment. Installed in outdoor switchgear in which the voltage exceeds 330 kV at a height of 150 - 200 cm on the fences of areas where the electric field strength exceeds 15 kV/m.
Poster dimensions – 200X100 mm. The width of the red border is 10 mm. The inscription is made in red letters on a white background.
“CAUTION Electrical Voltage” is an electrical safety sign that warns of the danger of electric shock. It is hung in electrical installations of any class and subclass of substations and power plants.
The sign is made in the form of an equilateral triangle with a side of 300 mm - for placement on the doors of premises. If for placement on equipment, machines, mechanisms and containers it can be with sides: 25, 40, 50, 80, 100, 150 mm. The arrow and border are black, the background is yellow.
Also, the sign “caution of electrical voltage” can be applied with black paint on concrete surfaces (slabs, fences, outdoor switchgear fences, reinforced concrete supports, etc.) using a stencil.
Posters as means of protection
Brightly colored images with explanatory inscriptions or symbols are called posters or safety signs. They have a certain geometric shape: rectangular, triangular, square.
Posters are needed to warn both workers and bystanders about the potential hazards posed by electrical installation equipment. Some posters directly prohibit performing certain actions, others carry an informational load, others allow and order work.
To make posters or signs catch the eye, contrasting or signal colors and their combinations are used for the background and inscriptions: red/white, blue/white, black/white, black/yellow
The document applies to any means of protection used by organizations of various forms of ownership - both state enterprises and private property, especially if the voltage in electrical installations is above 1000 V.
The main document in which you can find information about electrical safety posters and signs is СО. It is called “Instructions for the use and testing of protective equipment used in electrical installations”
Workers involved in work in electrical installations must be provided with protective equipment, including posters, and explained how and where they should be used in order to ensure the safest possible working conditions. Portable signs must be part of the inventory that field teams are armed with.
Like other means of protection, signs and posters need to be properly stored and transported, and permanent ones must be in proper condition, that is, clean, dry, undamaged, with clearly readable inscriptions
Posters and signs are made in accordance with GOST. Unlike tools and clothing, they do not require markings and do not need to be numbered or otherwise marked.
Prescriptive posters
Prescriptive posters are used to indicate workplaces (locations of work) in electrical installations, as well as safe approaches to them.
“WORK HERE” – indicates a workplace.
The dimensions of the prescriptive poster are 100X100 or 250X250 mm. Made in the form of a white square with sides of 80 or 200 mm, respectively, on a blue background. The inscription is made in black letters inside a square. The poster is portable.
“GET IN HERE” is also a prescriptive poster and is used when the workplace is located at a height; it indicates a safe way to climb to the workplace.
Poster dimensions – 100X100 or 250X250 mm. Just like the “work here” poster, it is made in the form of a white square with sides of 80 or 200 mm on a blue background. The inscription is made in black letters inside a square.
Signal markings - what are they?
To identify dangerous risk zones at industrial facilities and minimize injuries and accidents at work, there are special warning markings. They are manufactured according to certain requirements established by international standards.
Signal marking is a color graphic image, presented in the form of striped multi-colored tape, which is used to fence off dangerous areas. They are white-red, yellow-black, white-green. Thanks to these identification markings, order is regulated in the work area.
