Safety signs are illustrations of a set shape and various colors that depict symbols and inscriptions for a special purpose. They are used to notify a person about the prohibition or permission of specific maneuvers at certain objects, as well as the probable danger that may arise there. With their help, the likelihood of harmful effects on human life is reduced. How are posters and safety signs divided and what are they intended for? Is their placement necessary? Let's consider.
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.
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.
Main conclusions
It would seem that what a trifle the pictures on the wall are - occupational safety signs, but if it is not there or the wrong one is pasted, it could cost a person’s life or health.
And as they say, ignorance does not exempt us from responsibility, and in this matter, if they didn’t know that they needed to stick a sign, administrative liability is possible.
Therefore, you should not brush it off and figure out what groups and types of occupational safety signs exist, what they mean and in what case they are applied. Check the need for them in your organization, and give a lecture to the staff so that they are also aware.
If you liked my article, you can share it in the comments, it will please me and encourage me to write even more useful and interesting notes on occupational safety. And if you need help, please contact me, I will definitely help.
I wish you safe and efficient work!
What safety posters and signs are there?
They are used in absolutely all areas of human activity. Classification of posters and safety signs occurs by nature and type. Let's look at them.
According to the nature of application, posters are divided into:
- Permanent;
- Portable.
Types of safety posters and signs:
- Basic;
- Additional;
- Combined;
- Group.
What safety signs are the main prohibitory and warning signs?
These include signs that contain nominatively expressed requirements. They are used individually or in combination with others.
Additional signs - they contain explanatory inscriptions. They are usually used together with the main ones.
Requirements for the production and operation of electrical safety signs
If you need to “leave” a sign on a stone, reinforced concrete or wooden surface, then the finished product, presented in the form of a film of the required dimensions with the appropriate inscription, is very problematic to use. Therefore, the required inscription - warning or prohibiting - is applied with paint through a stencil. A self-adhesive label can be applied to metal, painted or other smooth surfaces.
To obtain all the necessary information regarding the installation, size and shape of signs, you must read paragraph 18.5 (
PEES appendix. The overall dimensions of information posters and signs can be increased or decreased, but in a certain ratio to the sizes specified in GOST. Increase/ the reduction is a multiple of 2. For example: 2:1, 4:1, etc. Old-style signs can be replaced with modern analogues as they wear out.
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.
Responsibility for the absence of safety signs
For failure to comply with safety rules, the employer faces a fine, including if there are no occupational safety signs. According to Art. 5.27.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, the fine for the absence of at least 1 required sign is up to 80,000 rubles.
And the fact of the presence of signs is recorded in a special journal; this requirement is not mandatory, but recommended. During inspections, their presence and correct placement is one of the mandatory points that inspectors pay attention to.
What groups are the main safety signs divided into?
Each sign can be classified into a specific group according to its purpose:
- Prohibiting;
- Warning;
- Prescriptive;
- Index;
- Evacuation;
- Fire protection;
- Medical and sanitary purposes.
Prohibition signs
Signs of this type prohibit the use of switching equipment during any work in a certain area. These include - “Do not turn on! People are working,” “Don’t turn it on! Line work”, “Do not open! People are working."
Warning signs
Installed in places where there may be contact with electrical installations or live wires, as well as in dangerous proximity to them. This also includes a ban on entering the electric field zone without special protective equipment. What signs and posters are warning signs - “Caution! Wet floor!”, “Attention! Cleaning in progress!”, “Attention. Danger (other dangers)”, etc.
Mandatory signs
Such signs indicate to employees of the enterprise the place of work that complies with labor protection rules - for example, where they can work and where they cannot, etc.
Directional posters
Inform people about the application of portable grounding. So far, only one safety sign belongs to this type - “Grounded”.
Evacuation signs
Necessary in order to indicate to a person possible ways out of the building in case of imminent danger. These include - “Exit”, “Emergency exit”, as well as images without inscriptions in the form of symbols that indicate the exit from the room.
Labor safety signs
One of the ways to protect personnel, as well as other persons at the site, is the use of occupational safety signs. Their presence is mandatory not only in production, but also in the office, shopping center, and various public spaces.
The main regulatory document defining the rules for placing safety signs is GOST 12.4.026-2015. This is an international standard, observed not only in Russia, but also abroad.
Purpose of safety signs
The main purpose of occupational safety signs is to attract attention, warn of potential danger, and point out something. For the most part, occupational safety signs are plates of various shapes with a pattern on a contrasting background.
Inscriptions are used on them extremely rarely. This is due to the fact that it is necessary to convey information in the simplest and most intuitive form possible. Roughly speaking, a person looked and, even without knowing for sure what safety signs indicate, he can easily guess.
But it’s not enough to guess and assume; you need to clearly know the purpose of each of the signs. And for this it is necessary to conduct lectures on labor protection in the organization, which will reduce the risk of injuries, occupational diseases, and emergency situations.
Effectiveness in reducing injuries can only be achieved through an integrated approach to occupational safety, that is, training, instructions, timely information and warning, namely the use of signs.
But they need to be used wisely; each sign has its own location.
Types of occupational safety signs
There are several approaches to grouping occupational safety signs. The most common classification is by purpose. We will analyze it in more detail below. There are other ways of dividing:
- According to significance, which, in turn, are divided into basic (used independently), additional (only together with another sign) and combined.
- Based on reflectivity, they are divided into non-luminous, reflective or photoluminescent. The last 2 can be installed in low light conditions or intermittent absence of light. These include the “Exit” sign.
- According to their design, they are divided into three-dimensional and flat.
For greater clarity, colors are defined that correspond to certain groups of safety signs, corresponding colors are defined and contrasting white or black colors are used as the background:
- red;
- yellow;
- blue;
- green.
Those signaling danger or prohibiting certain actions are distinguished by bright colors: red or yellow.
Those that are informational in nature are highlighted in blue. Green ones indicate emergency exits and directions in which you need to move to get to safety. These places and the optimal path to them from any point are taken into account at the stage of construction of the facility.
Fire safety signs
They are made to attract the attention of people who work fairly close to danger. They carry the necessary information and warn of a potential threat. The semantic designations of the signal colors of fire safety signs and plates correspond to their functionality. They all have a uniform appearance so that people in the affected area can read them in the shortest possible time.
Fire safety sign - main types
There are a large number of fire safety posters. They can be classified into two main categories:
- Prohibiting - such signs are usually located in places where smoking or the use of fire, etc. is prohibited.
- Warning - this category includes posters indicating the presence of substances hazardous to life (fire hazardous, explosive, flammable, etc.).
The rules for placing the main types of fire safety signs are defined and prescribed in NPB 160-97 (Fire Safety Standards).
Groups of occupational safety signs
Occupational safety signs are divided into several groups, each of which indicates the severity of exposure to harmful and dangerous factors.
- Occupational health and safety warning signs. They are distinguished by their yellow color, which is clearly visible. They are shaped like a triangle with a black border. Informs about conditions dangerous to life and health and the need to follow rules to avoid unnecessary risks. Examples: “Explosive”, “Load may fall”.
- Prohibitory safety signs on labor protection. They are a black image crossed out with a thick red line on a white background. An action prohibited in the given territory is demonstrated. Examples: “No smoking”, “No entry”.
- Prescriptive safety signs for occupational safety and health. Typically round in shape and blue in color with white trim. Indicate an object or action necessary to complete a task or be in the current zone. Examples: “Wear safety glasses”, “Wear ear protection”.
- Index marks. Rectangular or square in shape and blue in color with an image of a specific location printed in white. Examples: “Eating point”, “Smoking area”.
- Evacuation. Usually rectangular in shape, with a white image on a green background. They can also indicate the location of first aid kits and telephones. Examples: “Exit sign”, “Collection point”.
- Fire safety. A square-shaped safety sign with a pictogram on a red background. In part, it can duplicate evacuation signs, indicating an emergency exit or stairs. Other examples: “Fire extinguisher”, “Fire hydrant”.
Often one sign is not enough to convey maximum information to workers, and in this case, occupational safety signs can be combined into one. They can simultaneously warn, prohibit and prescribe.
For example, one combined sign may prohibit unauthorized persons from visiting a facility, warn about the possibility of exposure to radioactive substances, and require the use of a protective helmet and special suit.
I’m leaving you a link to download signs from different groups and some industries; they can be used not only as a demonstration to workers at a lecture, but also as a layout that can be printed and pasted if funding is tight.
How safety posters and signs are used
It's no secret that every organization actively uses them. Honestly, if this is not done, not a single labor safety inspection will pass successfully and, at best, penalties will be imposed on the enterprise.
They are placed in moderation - the sign should be noticeable, but not attract too much attention. Passages and passages in the territory must be free; they are not placed there.
If you place a poster at a checkpoint, its effect automatically applies to the entire property.
In poorly lit areas, it is necessary to use backlights. As for evacuation signs, they are placed only above exit doors. Tweet
Size and location of occupational safety signs
GOST regulates the clear size of safety signs, a specific placement point and the maximum distance at which it should be visible.
The indicated dimensions correspond to conditions with optimal illumination for the human eye. And when placing a safety sign, it is worth considering:
- its visibility from different points of the room;
- height above the surface. It is advisable to hang the sign at eye level or slightly higher;
- the safety sign should not prevent employees from performing their duties.
First of all, occupational health and safety signs are installed for the convenience and safety of those on the premises. Therefore, even in the absence of checks, they must be well lit and unobstructed, and also fully correspond to reality. If one of the emergency exits is closed or something else has changed, the signs are changed to the current ones.
