4.8 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

Prohibition (Red)

Answer 2

Prohibits behaviour likely to increase or cause danger (e.g.
no access for unauthorised persons or no smoking).

Question 3

Warning (Yellow)

Answer 3

Giving warning of a hazard or danger, e.g. danger:

electricity.

Question 4

Mandatory (Blue)

Answer 4

Must be done, prescribing specific behaviour, (e.g. eye

protection must be worn)

Question 5

Safe Condition (Green)

Answer 5

Information on emergency exits, first-aid, or rescue

equipment and activities.

Question 6

Fire Fighting Equipment (Red)

Answer 6

Information on the identification or location of fire-fighting
equipment.

Question 7

Signs to mark obstacles, dangerous locations

Answer 7

Markings consisting of a equally sized yellow and black (or red and white) stripes at an angle of 45 degrees may be used for marking obstacles and dangerous locations

Question 8

Signs to mark traffic routes

Answer 8

Traffic route markings take the form of continuous lines, preferably yellow or white, taking into account the colour of the ground.

Question 9

Other types of sign/signal…

Answer 9

Illuminated signs
Acoustic signal
Spoken communication
Hand signals

Question 10

In addition to providing and maintaining suitable safety signs and signals the employer has to ensure that

Answer 10

all employees receive comprehensible and relevant information, training and instruction regarding:
 the meaning of safety signs; and
 the measures to be taken in connection with safety signs.