1.2 Safety signs and signals

Question 1

The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and

Signals) Regulations 1996 require employers to

Answer 1

provide, and maintain, a safety sign where there
is a significant risk to health and safety that has
not been avoided or controlled as required under
other legislation, provided it can help reduce the
risk.

Question 2

The requirements of the Regulation apply where the risk assessment made under
the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 indicates that,
having adopted the principles of prevention, risks to employees cannot be avoided or
adequately reduced, except by the provision of appropriate safety signs to warn or
instruct of the nature of those risks, and the measures to be taken to protect against
them.

Where necessary the employer shall, in accordance with the requirements of
Schedule 1:

3

Answer 2

 Provide and maintain any appropriate safety sign or ensure such sign is in place.
 Ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that any appropriate hand signal or
verbal communication is used.
 Provide and maintain any safety sign provided pursuant to the Road Traffic
Regulation Act 1984, or ensure such sign is in place.

Question 3

Prohibition (Red)
Prohibits behaviour likely to increase or cause danger
(example:

Answer 3

no access for unauthorised persons or no

smoking).

Question 4

Warning (Yellow)

Giving warning of a hazard or danger (example:

Answer 4

danger,

electricity).

Question 5

Mandatory (Blue)

Must be done, prescribing specific behaviour (example:

Answer 5

eye protection must be worn).